MARINE SCIENCE 153 



The Johns Hopkins University, 



Baltimore, Md., October 7, 1959. 

 Hon. Warren G. Magnuson, 



Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 

 New Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Senator Magnuson : I have read with great interest the copy of bill 

 S. 2692 forwarded to me by the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce 

 and I wish to offer the following comments. 



In view of the expanding population of the world and the predictions that our 

 terrestrial food supply vnll be outgrown, the productivity of the sea is of vital 

 importance to our future. To use the oceans and their food supply wisely it 18 

 obviously necessary to pursue marine biology as thoroughly as possible. The 

 micro-organisms of the sea, especially the phytoplankton, are the direct or indirect 

 source of food for most other living things in the sea. A study of these organisms 

 is essential for the future productivity of the ocean. A detailed consideration of 

 the bacteria, viruses, baqteriophage, algae, fungi, and protozoans must be in- 

 cluded and all of these studies must be approached from the biochemical, nutri- 

 tional, genetic, and ecological viewpoints to have a complete understanding of 

 the organisms and their environment. 



As the Committee on Oceanography has pointed out, progress in marine biology 

 will depend upon the interest, the experience, and the creative imagination of 

 individual scientists. However, the individual scientist must have instruments 

 and facilities, and he must live in an atmosphere conducive to creative activity. 

 Adequate funding must be available for laboratories and equipment, and such 

 laboratories should have a close and intimate relationship with a creditable 

 university which will enable the laboratory personnel to become a part of the 

 scientific life of such a university. 



Earlier this year, I proposed to appropriate ofiicials that an Institute of Marine 

 Microbiology be established at an existing facility, the Marine Biological Labora- 

 tories, Woods Hole, Mass. To build, equip, and aperate a small but adequate 

 laboratory for this purpose would cost approximately $5 million for the first 

 3-year period. A sum of $2 million would be required for an adequate laboratory 

 building and $1 million would be required for equipment. After construction, the 

 annual operation cost is estimated at $532,000. I mention this because it is my 

 sincere belief that while bill S. 2692 provides ample funds for the physical 

 sciences aspect of marine research, it does not provide adequate funds for the 

 facilities and equipment required for the most fundamental marine biological 

 research. Postv^'ar developments have placed great emphasis on the physical 

 aspects of science, that is, atomic energy, rocketry, with little attention given 

 to the bilogical problems involved. Funds granted by Congress to the Federal 

 agencies supporting basic biological research have been quite inadequate (except 

 in the realm of the medical sciences), until now a situation is reached where 

 areas of biology, that is, marine biology, are in dire need of support to develop 

 the facilities and personnel necessary to cope with the problems confronting 

 mankind. 



Bill S. 2692 is a comprehensive and much needed legislative offering. In 

 may respects, it proposes a program as broad in concept as the U.S. IGY pro- 

 gram. To avoid the failures of the IGY, it is essential that the funding be 

 adequate for all aspects and that support of the total program not be permitted 

 at the expense of any particular segment. All aspects are extremely important 

 and can achieve the success desired only if given the necessary attention. 



I look forward to the success of this legislation and greatly appreciate this 

 opportunity to express my views. 

 Sincerely yours, 



W. D. McEleot, 

 Director, McCollum-Pratt Institute; Chairman, Biology Department. 



Woods Hole Oceanogbaphio Institution, 



Office of the Dikectob, 

 Woods Sole, Mass., January 28, 1960. 

 Hon. Warren G. Magnuson, 



Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, U.S. Senate, 

 Washington, D.C. 

 Dear Senator Magnuson: I am glad to respond to your invitation to com- 

 ment on S. 2692 which you introduced in the 1st session of the 86th Congress. 



