432 



to look into diseases of shellfish, or the dangers resulting from such 

 diseases. I wonder whether now, because of such possible duplication 

 of effort, you are cooperating more closely with other agencies of Grov- 

 ernment so as to avoid incurring the additional expense arising from 

 such actions ? 



Dr. Jacobs. Mr. Pelly, I am somewhat familiar with the programs 

 not only of HEW, in regard to shellfish, but also of the Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries. Just as a matter of scientific interest, I remem- 

 ber attending about 2 years ago a meeting of a local scientific society 

 at which the people from the shellfish laboratory down at Easton 

 spoke about their problems. These are not the same problems by any 

 means as the ones which the Public Health Service is working on in 

 its Marine Health Sciences Laboratories, or in its programs devoted 

 to shellfish resources. The places where they are grown around this 

 country 



Mr. Pellt. I am speaking of the respective responsibilities of each 

 of the two agencies. 



As I recall, we had some qualms as to why we should build two sep- 

 arate buildings under two separate appropriations when it seemed to 

 us more economical and efficient to coordinate the programs. 



Dr. Jacobs. I imagine that if they had been combined, you would 

 have needed another building anyway, merely because of lack of space. 

 I think the organizations work closely enough together from a scien- 

 tific standpoint, but they have different problems. 



Mr. Pelly. Well, as I recall at that time we couldn't get the repre- 

 sentatives from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries to admit that 

 they didn't need a separate building. I won't prolong this, but I come 

 back to my question, Are you working closely in collaboration with the 

 other agencies ? 



Dr. Jacobs. There is no question about it. They are working on dis- 

 eases of shellfish and we are working on diseases of human beings, 

 which can be eliminated by keeping shellfish clean. 



Mr. Pelly. Is there a tie-in between the two programs as far as shell- 

 fish are concerned ? 



Dr. Jacobs. Yes. 



Mr. Pelly. I certainly want to convey to you the appreciation feeling 

 I note from maritime and fisheries people in my district for the work 

 of the Public Health Service. 



You pointed out in your statement there are 400,000 persons eligible 

 for direct medical treatment in Public Health Service facilities. This 

 sen^ice is certainly of great benefit to them. 



One other question I had concerns the meat inspection bill which 

 came up recently and drew such wide interest and publicity. Is there 

 a need, in your opinion, for similar inspection of fish and shellfish 

 products ? 



Dr. Jacobs. As you know, ithe Food and Drug Administration exer- 

 cises some surveillance over problems of smoked fish products and 

 other types of fish products which are on the market. 



The shellfish program is handled principally by the Public Health 

 Service. There is an agreement between PHS and FDA on this. 



Mr. Pelly. Then, as far as you know, the American people are not 

 getting dirty fish the way they were, apparently, in some areas getting 

 dirty meat? 



