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]\Ir. Reinecke. I understand. 



Dr. Stratton. I would like to be completely candid. 



I began this task by reading the legislation very, very carefully a 

 number of times. I must confess that as a newcomer to this area, I was 

 rather puzzled in endeavoring to explain and interpret these overlaps 

 in the respective charges to the Council and the Commission. As you 

 know, there are tasks assigned to the two bodies. Sometimes they are 

 to review, sometimes they are to survey, sometimes they must embark 

 upon projects, and sometimes they are to make studies — the distinctions 

 at times eluded me. 



I have been enormously reassured, Mr. Eeinecke, now that our opera- 

 tions are underway, in working with the Council. That is due to the 

 statesmanship and clear-cut statements of the Vice President. His re- 

 marks to the Commission at its first meeting, and I have extracts from 

 them here, spoke directly to this matter. He is well aware of the diffi- 

 culties. He has himself pointed out that these are complementary 

 bodies, and you know that in my own remarks, I have stated that by 

 the very plan and nature of our assignment, there is inescapably an 

 overlap. I repeat it today. There are overlaps. If we were to be con- 

 tinuing bodies, there would inevitably be very serious problems of 

 jurisdiction. But we are not continuing bodies — certainly not the Com- 

 mission. 



The Commission has no vested interest. We have a job to do. We 

 are determined — and I have no fear whatsoever that we won't suc- 

 ceed — we are determined to make an indej)endent report. We are going 

 to express our best views as to what should be done and how effective 

 it will be, including the future of the Council itself. I have already 

 expressed to you a moment ago my admiration for what they are doing. 

 Whether this is the best way to do it in the future is a totally different 

 issue. 



I recognize the word is passed through the Council to the President, 

 but I have the assurance of the Vice President that while they may 

 comment on them, there will be no change. 



Wlien you come to the matter of whether some of the findings we are 

 developing may be used by the Council, they can also ask the same 

 question of us. I simply have to fall back on good faith, determined 

 that we shall see this thing through, believing that we are going to 

 get along together. 



Mr. Reinecke. As one of the authors of the original Commission 

 idea, I can state the reason we came up with the Commission was 

 simply because we felt, due to the existing programs in the various 

 agencies, that the Council could not in itself be sufficiently objective. 

 So we are looking to you for a completely independent, totally 0I3- 

 jective report not based on assumptions that anyone else would do 

 anything, and I certainly hope this will be the nature of your report, 

 that you will not be swayed at all by any promises or anything from 

 any of the Council. 



I have the highest regard for the job of coordiiiation the Council 

 is doing. Nonetheless, we are here trying to establish some long-range 

 legislation and policy and I know you gentlemen have accepted your 

 responsibility very, very deeply in this regard and we are certainly 

 looking forward to that objective report. 



Dr. Stratton. I can reassure you completely on this score. There 



