311 



In fact, we have, by reason of a number of events of recent dates, a 

 whole sequence of morale problems that are plaguing your agency. 

 I am not sure you want to comment as when 



Mr. LoEscH. I can comment on it to this extent, Mr. Chairman. 



I can't say when we will have a new director. I can say that we look 

 forward with great confidence to having a new Assistant Secretary 

 very shortly. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I hoped that would be so, but I certainly hope that 

 the Director's position will be filled. You have got major morale prob- 

 lems down there, that if you don't do something, the whole agency, 

 I am afraid, insofar as fish and wildlife, is liable to just fall apart 

 on you. 



I hope something will be done at a very near time. 



Mr. LoESCH. I hope so, too. Frankly, I don't know anything about 

 that. I can say, Mr. Chairman, that while I fully recognize your con- 

 cern, I think that you will find that the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 

 Wildlife is much tougher than you think. I don't think it is going 

 to fall apart just because it hasn't a director for a period. 



Mr. DiNGELL. It isn't just the absence of a director. I have great 

 respect for the agency, as you know, and these are friendly questions, 

 but Mr. Secretary, I express to you an honest and friendly concern. 



Mr, LoESCH. Yes, I understand. 



Mr. DiNGELL. And I hope that this message will be carried back 

 by you to the Interior Department. 



Mr. LoESCH. I will carry that message. 



Mr. DiNGELL. And of the apprehensions I had and concern I feel as 

 to the failures of that agency to reconstitute itself more rapidly. 



Now I have great respect for Secretary Morton. I think he is a 

 distinguished Secretary of the Interior, who was a fine and valuable 

 Member of this Congress, and I have great affection and respect for 

 him as a person, but time is fleeting, and it is a long time since the 

 openings occurred, I think that the filling of them is long overdue, and 

 it is my hope something will happen down there at an early time to 

 correct this. Frankly, it has taken too long, Mr. Secretary. 



Mr. LoESCH. I have been, just by wav of an aside, Mr. Chairman, 

 attempting to fill the post of Associate Director of the Bureau of Out- 

 door Recreation since last July. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I guess that sort of answers my question. 



Mr. Secretary, we are grateful you could be with us. We thank you 

 for your presence. It is always a pleasure to have you here, and we 

 thank our old frieud. Dr. Linduska, for his kindness in being here. 



(The following letter was received in reference to the foregoing:) 



U.S. Department of the Interior. 



Office of the Secretary, 

 Washington, D.C., May 19, 1971. 

 Hon. Edward A. Garmatz, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House of Representa- 

 tives, Washington, D.C. 

 Dear Mr. Chairman : We return herewith the transcript of testimony presented 

 by Assistant Secretary Loesch to your Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife 

 Conservation concerning the general subject of ocean dumping. 



A question has been raised concerning the effect of H.R. 4247 and H.R. 4723 

 upon our responsibilities under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act "\Miile it 

 is our opinion, as stated to the Subcommittee by Assistant Secretary Loesch, that 



