I would never be arbitrary about the extension of your time, and if 

 you need it in your judgment, I would certainly support it. But my 

 point is, Mr. Chainnan, I do not think the submission of this report 

 should be based on the political timing of the report. 



Mr. Lennon. I thank the gentleman, and having the admiration and 

 respect for him I do, I do not think he meant to say this report would 

 become a political issue at the national level. 



Hopefully this subcommittee and the full committee has over the 

 years been bipartisan in all of its objectives. I think what he was 

 referring to and what I alluded to was if the report came out after 

 July 9 next year — I do not know what the situation in your section 

 is but I do know what it is in mine. I have to get down there and 

 tend to a certain sort of business. And in the throes of adjournment 

 and with the publicity all aimed at the political aspects next year, I do 

 not believe this report would get the proper imagery. It would be just 

 too competitive. You cannot compete with politics, not even with the 

 report of such a fine Presidential Commission as this. 



I think that is what the gentleman referred to. 



I will say one thing else : If we did not have the National Council 

 doing the job that it is doing then I would be like you, I would insist on 

 the Commission trying to meet its deadline, whatever loss the scientific 

 world might suffer. But I happen to have such high faith — you re- 

 member, Mr. Downing, in the hearings on this particular legislation 

 that we had furnished us a list of those people who attended the Inter- 

 Agency Ad Hoc Committee on Oceanography, and I believe at the first 

 few meetings they just did not attend. 



I want to show you this morning the people who have attended every 

 meeting of the Council since they came into being almost a year ago 

 now. Last December I believe it was. It has surprised me, pleased me, 

 and amazed me. 



I know if we continue their life for 6 months, then by that time the 

 Congress will li;ive either resolved this question of the governmental 

 agency to operate this whole thing or we will have thrown up our 

 hands and quit. 



I share your feeling about it. We have felt like this. In fact, I feel 

 strongly. I know that is your conecrn. I say to you in absolute good 

 faith I think we are making progress, I think we are making excellent 

 progress. If I did not think so, I would be the first one to want to 

 repeal the law and not even give them to July 9 next year to file the 

 report. 



Mr. Pellt. Mr. Chairman, may I say Dr. Stratton, as one who has 

 had a part in the framing of the law and has been in conference with 

 the Senate and has seen it worked out, that it is certainly gratifying 

 to me to have you here today. 



It has been long time coming. I intend personally to use this whole 

 matter as a political issue in my district. My district is very much 

 interested in this subject. Whether your report comes out or not, I am 

 going to point with pride to our accomplishments. 



I might add, too, tliat I do not think there will be full recognition of 

 the importance of your report when it does come out, except by the 

 scientific fraternity. This is the way I feel about it. I think this is a very 

 important day, your being with us. 



I wonder if you are aware, Dr. Stratton, that concerning land laws 

 and planning a commission similar to yours is working on these prob- 



