144 MARINE SCIENCE 



priated to the NSF programs have been far less than those allotted to other 

 granting agencies. This is shortsighted, false economy.) 



(6) Under the Atomic Energy Committee allotment the sum of $100,000 a year 

 for studies of the genetic effects of radioactivity on marine organisms seems far 

 too low judging from the importance of this subject and the diflSculties inherent 

 in this type of research. The sum should probably be $1 million a year. 



May I point out that one of the best ways to promote rapid expansion of ocean- 

 ographie research, biological and physical, is to make facility grants, fellowships, 

 personnel grants, equipment grants, and research project grants available to 

 universities, colleges and State and private research institutions. Thus, existing 

 marine programs, facilities, and personnel are utilized to their fullest. It seems 

 likely that expansion can probably be most rapid in biological oceanography be- 

 cause there are more biological oceanographers (marine biologists, and allied 

 biological workers) than physical oceanographers. This is probably all to the 

 good because, as was mentioned above, biological problems are usually the most 

 diflScult and at the same time of most immediate and significant interest and 

 value. ( However, all disciplines are important and interdependent. ) 



In closing, may I reiterate that aU disciplines of oceanography need the boost 

 provided by this legislative action. It is vital to wise use of marine resources, to 

 preparing for future population expansion, to understand our planet and its his- 

 tory, and to our national defense. The chief reason why we now know so little 

 is that funds and interest in marine research have been far too small. 



I will be glad to assist your program in any way possible. 



With best wishes for success in your efforts, I am, 

 Sincerely, 



William J. Habgis, Jr., Ph. D., Director. 



State op Maine, 

 Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, 



State House, Augusta, November 30, 1959. 

 Hon. Warren G. Magnuson, 



Chairman, Committee on Interstate and, Foreign Commerce, 

 Washington, D.G. 



Dear Senator Magnuson : We were very pleased to receive a copy of your com- 

 mittee bill, S. 2692, with your request for comments. 



The scope and general farsighted provisions of the bill are impnessive and its 

 sponsors and supporters are to be congratulated. We are naturally proud that 

 Margaret Chase Smith is one of the sponsors of the bill. We do have a number of 

 comments in regard to this document. 



Starting on page 3, item 4, certain disciplines are listed as being good back- 

 ground for advanced degree work. Why not add mathematics and meteorology 

 because of their direct and important application in the marine field? 



We believe that more emphasis should be given to the role of State agencies 

 and their research facilities. Reference to State participation is conspicuously 

 absent in a number of sections of the bill where cooperative endeavors are men- 

 tioned ; for example, on page 5 starting on line 19, subsection (c). Likewise, on 

 page 16, lines 4 and 5, State institutions are mentioned, but not agencies. In 

 Maine, marine research work is carried out by a State department. Therefore we 

 are concerned when specific references mention institutions and not agencies of 

 State government. 



Considering the relatively large sums of money that are being considered for 

 equipment and facilities, we believe that the money to be made available for 

 fellowships, grants, and other academic aid is very inadequate. Ship and shore 

 facilities will have to be staffed and the marine sciences will have to compete 

 with the current glamour and sppeal to youth of research in the realm of outer 

 space. In contrast and using specific items, page 8, subsection (e), $10 million 

 a year will be spent on specialized equipment. Yet on page 9(f) only $300,000 

 a year will go for graduate fellowships. This may well satisfy the expected 

 need of those wishing to prepare for Ph. D. degrees, but appears to be a small 

 amount of money in providing for the need of people working for master's 

 degrees, who will be needed in great numbers. 



Although fisheries resources studies and the utilization of marine products for 

 human consumption are included, page 13, subsection (d), we question whether 

 or not these references and the money considered give proper weight to the value 



