6 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
this circumstance has both advantages and disadvantages. However, 
there is a growing recognition of common interest among the agencies. 
None of the agencies, for example, are in a position to sponsor all of the 
fundamental research on which their programs depend. Each, there- 
fore, draws increasingly on the fruits of research sponsored by sister 
agencies; each thus contributes to the other. Apart from this com- 
mon pool of scientific information, each of the agencies must draw on 
scientific resources, particularly manpower, that cut across organiza- 
tional lines. 
In seeking to foster communication and cooperation among the 
agencies, the Council seeks to obtain greater efficiency and economy 
for the effort as a whole. These comments apply to not only oceanog- 
raphy, but to this very general problem of Federal programs which 
cut across many agencies. 
In the task of coordination, the close relationship between the Fed- 
eral Council, the Office of Science and Technology, and the President’s 
Science Advisory Committee, and their close proximity to the White 
House, all help greatly in the conversion of plans into actions. Be- 
cause of policy level agency representation in the Council, actions 
jointly agreed upon are in most cases implemented effectively and 
directly. 
Issues which come before the Council fall generally into three cate- 
gories: (a) the development of Government-wide plans and programs; 
(6) problems of Federal management in which we consider efficient 
utilization of resources and the assurance of program quality; and 
(c) the development of Government-wide policies relating to non- 
governmental programs and institutions and to international activi- 
ties. 
These issues are developed through studies by the President’s Sci- 
ence Advisory Committee, the National Academy of Sciences, and the 
Executive Office of the President. But, by and large, the sharpening 
of issues, the collection of facts, and the generation of recommenda- 
tions are carried out through the committee structure of the Council 
itself. 
The Council at the present time has committees on oceanography, 
water resources research, atmospheric sciences, materials research 
and development, high energy physics, behavioral sciences, natural 
resources, scientific and technical information, scientific personnel, 
patent policy, international affairs, and long range planning. The 
particular case we are talking about today is the coordination of 
oceanography. 
GOVERNMENT-WIDE PROGRAMS IN OCEANOGRAPHY 
It should be clear that all Federal science and technology cannot be 
coordinated by the Council. In fact, the Council has been highly selec- 
tive in choosing topics for analysis and continued review. The Coun- 
cil operates with a minimum of staff, administrative superstructure, 
and protocol. In a few instances, however, the need for continuing 
coordination has warranted the development of full-time staffs in the 
committees themselves, and the Interagency Committee on Oceanog- 
raphy is one such example. 
