372 



Mr. Rogers. One last question : What is your overall budget now 

 in the National Science Foundation, approximately ? 



Dr. Robertson. The overall budget is about $500 million. 



Mr. Rogers. And $40 million is for marine sciences ? 



Dr. Robertson". That is correct. 



Mr. Rogers. Do you think that is a proper relationship ? 



Dr. Robertson. Yes, sir. We have struggled hard with achieving 

 the best distribution of funds we could, and I think that, in view of 

 the state of this field, and the relation to other fields, and of our overall 

 responsibility, this is about ri^ht. 



I think what we are doing is a very important part of the total na- 

 tional effort, and I hope that it can all be improved and expanded 

 across the board. 



Mr. Rogers. Are there any areas where the manpower is in greater 

 demand than in the marine science field ? 



Dr. Robertson. You mean areas where the need for trained people 

 is greater ? 



Mr. Rogers. More critical. 



Dr. Robertson. That is a hard question. 



I think the need is certainly as critical in marine science as in any 

 other field. 



Mr. Rogers. Undoubtedly, and I would question whether proper 

 allocation of funds is being effected now, with only $40 million out of 

 a half a billion dollars going to this program. 



I am not critical, because I realize what j^ou are trying to do, and 

 build up, but I do think that we need to give greater emphasis. This 

 committee wants to be helpful, and the Congress wants to be helpful 

 to you in helping to build the emphasis on marine sciences. 



I hope that you will feel free to call upon the committee and furnish 

 us information that you think can be helpful, because I do think we 

 are not yet putting a propert emphasis on marine sciences. 



I realize that it is still comparatively young in the Government 

 program. 



Mr. Pollock. Would the distinguished gentleman yield ? 



Mr. Rogers. I yield. 



Mr. Pollock. Mr. Chairman. 



I certainly would like to associate myself with your remarks and 

 your concerns and your questions about this. 



I have a feeling of frustration in this to some extent, that those 

 institutions that are already established are the ones being utilized, 

 and that is not enough emphasis in developing new competence and 

 expertise in educational institutions that are desirable to be developed 

 in the area of marine sciences. 



Dr. Robertson. We are tremendously interested in this general area 

 of science development, including marine science. 



As I pointed out, we have developed these new programs over the 

 past 5 years, which are aimed specifically in that direction. 



I would like to point out that there are certain limitations in the 

 Sea Grant Act which make it difficult to build stren^h through that 

 act in institutions that don't already have major facilities, since the act 

 provides that no funds shall be used for the construction of buildings, 

 ships, or docks. 



Mr. Lennon. Have you finished ? 



