74 



It would appear to me this is a very far-reaching decision which in- 

 volves a whole body of international law. There has been no public 

 debate and no hearings on this at all. It has come up rather suddenly. 

 It would appear to me, Mr. Chairman, this committee has a very real 

 responsibility now thrust upon it to see that this country not just 

 blindly proceed in this direction without adequate consideration. I am 

 very concerned about it. 



I am not sure I know how we should proceed. Certainly I would like 

 to have the comments of Dr. Stratton and his colleagues. I wonder if 

 it would not be appropriate, even on an emergency basis, for this com- 

 mittee to consider the possibility of hearings in this regard. I think it 

 is very far reaching, and certainly it concerns the jurisdiction of this 

 committee. 



Mr. Lennon. I am somewhat familiar with what the gentleman re- 

 fers to. I will ask Dr. Stratton and Dr. Geyer if they would be willing 

 to comment on that matter, or if you would rather not comment on it, 

 I can certainly understand it. 



Dr. Stratton". Is it appropriate for me to go off the record on this ? 



Mr. Lennon. Yes. Off the record. 



(Off the record.) 



Mr. Lennon". Gentlemen, we will return to the statements of Dr. 

 Stratton and Dr. Geyer. I am happy to recognize our distinguished 

 colleague, the ranking member on the subcommittee and a member of 

 the Advisory Committee, Mr. Mosher. 



Mr. MosHER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Since I have to leave soon, also, I do want to raise a rather delicate 

 question, the same question that Mr. Karth raised in the committee 

 recently, concerning the timing of the Commission's report. 



Dr. Stratton has given us a very eloquent definition of the nature, 

 difficulties, and importance of the Commission's work, which only con- 

 firms the importance that this subcommittee attaches to the Commis- 

 sion's work. Because it is so important, I think we have to be concerned 

 that the Commission's report have the maximum impact on the Con- 

 gress and the public. 



The Commission got a late start, that is, late in terms of what we 

 thought of at the time we adopted the legislation. Unfortunately, as 

 now scheduled, the deadline for the Commission's report will be at the 

 tag end of this Congress. Really, this Congress will have become a 

 lameduck Congress by then. It will be right in the middle of the 

 presidential election. There conceivably would be what I think would 

 be the horrible prospect that the report might become a factor in the 

 election. I would hope it would not, but it might become a partisan 

 factor in the election. 



At any rate, the report is likely to come when the Nation and the 

 Members of Congress would give the least possible attention to it. 

 Therefore, I am very hopeful, and I know you are, Mr. Chairman, and 

 I know others on this committee are hopeful, that the Congress may 

 extend th.& deadline so the report will be made to the public and to the 

 Congress just ahead of the convenmg of the 91st Congress or at the 

 time it convenes, and therefore have a much greater impact. 



For these very practical political reasons, I am hopeful that this 

 committee will recommend to the Congress that the deadline for the 

 report of the Commission be extended at least 6 months. 



Mr. Downing. Why do you make that request ? 



