MARINE SCIENCES AND RESEARCH ACT Al 
The complete text of the departmental reports on S. 2692 follow: 
EXxcuTiIve OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 
BurEAU OF THE BUDGET, 
Washington, D.C., April 13, 1960. 
Hon. Warren G. Macnuson, 
Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 
Washington, D.C. 
My Dear Mr. CuarrMANn: This is in response to an informal request 
by committee staff for the views on S. 2692, a bill to advance the 
marine sciences, to establish a comprehensive 10-year program of 
oceanographic research and surveys; to promote commerce and navi- 
gation, to secure the national defense; to expand ocean resources; to 
authorize the construction of research and survey ships and facilities; 
to assure systematic studies of effects of radioactive materials in 
marine environments; to enhance the general welfare; and for other 
purposes. 
While recognizing the merit of strengthening the marine sciences, 
the Bureau has serious reservations about the necessity and advisa- 
bility of enacting S. 2692. 
As far as we can determine the various agencies engaged in or 
supporting research in the marine sciences already have adequate 
legislative authority to continue or expand their work in this field. 
Accordingly, we believe that the enactment of S. 2692 to be unnec- 
essary. 
We are further concerned over the general approach which the bill 
takes in authorizing specific sums of money for various activities and 
programs of the Federal agencies engaged in the marine sciences. 
No field of science remains static. In this day and age there is a 
constant need for review of scientific requirements and redirection of 
research programs. It does not seem advisable, therefore, to earmark 
dollar amounts for specific agency activities or to delineate the com- 
position of scientific activities in detail as S. 2692 undertakes to do. 
We recognize the interest of the committee in seeking to strengthen 
the marine sciences. However, such strengthening not only can take 
place under existing authority but is already underway as reflected 
in the 1961 budget. In the budget message, the President specifically 
refers to the steps being taken to augment Federal support of the 
marine sciences since the report of the National Academy of Sciences 
on this subject. The budget provides for a substantial increase in 
Federal expenditures in this field, from $38 million in 1960 to $56 
million in 1961, exclusive of certain military expenditures related to 
survey work in oceanography. We believe this gives appropriate 
recognition to the special needs of oceanography and the marine 
sciences for additional support from Federal agencies, and that to- 
gether with increased aid from private sources, it should permit a 
significant expansion of research in these fields. 
For the reasons given above, the Bureau would oppose enactment 
of S. 2692. 
Sincerely yours, 
Puitire S. HucHEs, 
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 
