160 MARINE SCIENCE 



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 sciehces 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 

 n 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 together 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 enctment of S. 2692. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Phillip S. Hughes, 

 Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 



Comptroller General of the United States, 



Washington, November 11, 1959. 

 Hon. Warren G. Magnuson, 



Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 

 U.S. Senate 



Dear Mr. Chairman : Further reference is made to your letter dated Sep- 

 tember 17, 1959, acknowledged on September 21, requesting the comments of 

 the General Accounting Office concerning S. 2692, 86th Congress, 1st session, 

 entitled "A bill to advance the marine sciences, to establish a comprehensive 

 10-year program of oceanographic research and surveys ; to promote commerce 

 and navigation, 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." 



In the consideration of the bill, we recommend the following corrections and 

 clarifications : 



The reference in line 5, page 15, to "the preceding item (a)" apparently was 

 intended to read "the preceding item (c)." 



Section 7(f) directs the Maritime Administration to construct ships of 

 designated tonnage. However, section 8 does not authorize any additional 

 appropriation to the Administration for this purpose. If it is intended that 

 other funds are to be used for this purpose, it is recommended that the bill so- 

 state. Also, it is not clear whether the ships required to be constructed by 

 section 7(f) are in addition to ships authorized to be constructed by other 

 sections of the bill. 



Section 8(d) does not place any limitation on the cost of operating new Coast 

 and Geodetic Survey ships, while an annual limitation is imposed on the Bureau 

 of Commercial Fisheries by section 6(b) and on the Navy by section 14. We- 

 do not know whether this was an oversight or was intentional. 



The last sentence of section 10 states "Appropriations authorized in this section, 

 shall be in addition to other appropriations provided for such department or 

 oflace to carry out its duties under law." However, we are unable to ascertaia 

 where any appropriation has been authorized in such section. 



We also recommend that a general provision be included in the bill to the 

 effect that all agreements for grants in excess of a specified amount, e.g., $50,000, 

 contain a provision that the Comptroller General of the United States or his 

 duly authorized representatives shall have the right to examine any directly 

 pertinent books, documents, papers, and records, of the grantee relating to the- 

 purpose of the grant, for a period of 3 years after the last payment under the 

 grant. 



We recognize that the question whether legislation of this type is necessary- 

 is strictly a matter of policy for determination of the Congress, on which we 

 express na opinion. However,. we would suggest that the matters hereinabove 

 set forth be given serious consideration by your committee in its deUberations. 

 on the bill. 



Sincerely yours, 



Joseph Campbell, 

 Comptroller General of the United States^ 



