NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 493 



The Department would interpose no objection to tlie enactment of the bills 

 from the standpoint of foreign relations. In fact, the Department believes that 

 the bills might prove most useful in the development of oceanic capability anrl 

 use which would not only provide a source of raw material for our economy, as 

 the bills contemplate, but forestall domination of the ocean by forces inimical 

 to our welfare. 



Tlien they go on to make certain suggestions with respect to amend- 

 ments. Then they conclude the report by saying : 



The Bureau of the Budget advises from the standpoint of the administration's 

 program there is no objection to the submission of this report. 



Now, the Bureau of the Budget opposed those bills, but the Depart- 

 ment of State, as I read the language of their report, approves them 

 and it says there is no objection to them from the point of view of the 

 .administration. 



Clear me up on that a little bit. 



Mr. Seidman". The Department of State was addressing itself to 

 one area which properly falls within their responsibility in terms of 

 the international relations and foreign policy of the United States. 

 And the Bureau certainly did not see any grounds for objecting to or 

 indicating that the Department's view as it related to foreign policy 

 was in conflict with the administration's objectives. No objection 

 does not necessarily represent endorsement. A lot of the reports are 

 •cleared with no objection; in some ways it is equivalent to no comment, 



Mr. Lennon. They did comment. They said in their judgment it 

 could prove most useful. 



Mr. Seidman". No; I meant the Bureau of the Budget's advice, 

 where we say there is no objection. 



Mr. Lennon. To that type of report. 



They go on in this letter — which I know you have a copy of it in 

 jour file — make out a pretty good case for that legislation, the Depart- 

 ment of State does, regarding the national interest. 



Thank you very much, Doctor. 



Any further questions, gentlemen ? 



We do appreciate it, and I know you have been very helpful to the 

 committee in trying to reach an area of agreement on the bill 

 H.R. 2218. 



Thank you very much, and I would appreciate it if you would just 

 step up here for a minute ; I would like to chat with you off the record 

 for a minute. 



(Discussion off the record.) 



Mr. Lennon. Back on the record. 



We are delighted to have our old friend this morning and apologize 

 ior keeping him here so many days, Mr. Donald L. McKernan, Direc- 

 tor of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries of the Department of 

 Interior. 



I might say we always welcome your appearance before this com- 

 mittee; since you are not involved with ducks this morning I know 

 why you are not before the other committee. 



You will have a seat and you understand if we get a quorum which 

 is likely this morning after 12 noon, so we will get started anyhow. 



Thank you, sir. 



