498 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



the development and coordination of all soientific activities and respon- 

 sibilities of Federal establishment. 



They should provide maximmn assurance that the objectives of the 

 Wislation you are considering here today would be met in the most 

 effective manner. 



The position of the executive branch of the Government is that H.R. 

 2218 might be enacted but that enactment of any of these other bills 

 would be premature at this time. 



This position is based on the premise that the President's Science 

 Advisory Committee has set up a special panel on oceanography which 

 is now making a study of the kind contemplated in H.R. 9064. 



When this panel completes its study and submits a report, the Con- 

 gress can decide whether additional legislation is necessary and, if 

 so, what legislation would be appropriate. 



It is possible that additional studies similar to those proposed by 

 H.R. 9064 would then be deemed advisable. 



Mr. Chairman, we understand that during the present hearings 

 before your committee a proposal has been made to provide standby 

 authority for the establishment in the discretion of the President of a 

 self-liquidating commission, such as proposed by S. 944. 



We think that this proposal merits serious consideration. If your 

 committee adopts this approach we would like the opportunity to offer 

 suggestions on the provisions of the legislation. 



Mr. Chairman, that summarizes our point of view and perhaps 

 leaves a little time for questions. 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you. 



Mr. Casey ? 



Mr. Casey. No questions at the moment, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Lennon. It seems to me, sir, that having been a member of ICO 

 since its formation, and you have been a member of the ICO since 

 that time, that you are in an ideal position to equate and place a judg- 

 ment on its accomplishments and its difficulties, too, and in my judg- 

 ment you do that very well on page 5. 



You make out a complete case for it and a good case against it, 

 it seems to me. 



With the continuation of the ICO. what legislative action can be 

 done to speed up and to eliminate some of the problems that are in- 

 volved, that you describe on page 5 of your statement, with respect to 

 the function of the ICO ? 



Mr. McKernan. Well, Mr. Chairman, the administration, of course, 

 takes the view that 



Mr. Lennon. I am talking about you now as an operating member 

 of the ICO for 5 years. 



Mr. McKernan. Well, Mr. Chairman, it is my personal view, aside 

 from my position as a member of the ICO and representing the Inte- 

 rior Department, that there is a need for beefing this up, as the Con- 

 gress has recognized. A number of excellent suggestions have been 

 made in a number of bills that have been put forth. 



I must confess that my own personal view leans toward the conclu- 

 sion that I would like to see considerably more debate than has been 

 possible 



Mr. Lenxon. Would you repeat that ? 



