858 
There were a number of suggestions, and these were then communi- 
cated to Dr. Stratton informally at the end of that week. He spent, I 
believe, a full day with us; and I felt after the discussion that he wel- 
comed this opportunity. 
A number of the comments that were made by this task group were 
then examined and are reflected in the Commission report. But not 
all. The Commission was confronted with two problems: No. 1, time 
running out, but second, they have come up with quite a compre- 
hensive report of almost 250 pages already. If they had done all the 
things that were proposed, it might be quite a bit larger. 
VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC AGENCY 
Mr. Lennon. There were three Government agencies represented on 
the Commission: Department of Interior at the undersecretary level, 
there was a representative of the Department of the Navy at the under- 
secretary level, and of course, the Department of Commerce, most 
particularly the environmental science services agency was represented 
by Dr. White.. 
Dr. WENKE. Yes. 
Mr. Lennon. They did not join in the recommendations with respect 
to the Government structure. They abstained from expressing their 
views. But since that time and since the change in administration, 
am I not correct when I say that one and possibly two of them have 
expressed their belief that this was the right direction? There are no 
institutional restraints or inhibitions as there were before. 
Dr. Wenx. Under Secretary of Navy Baird has gone very strongly 
on record in support of NOAA. 
Mr. Lennon. I guess he could. It doesn’t affect the Navy. That is 
human nature. It is the same all over the world. 
Well, we will certainly be interested, Doctor, in obtaining your views 
as we move along in the consideration of this important Commission’s 
report. I am very hopeful. I don’t know how effective I can be in 
hoping that this committee of the House may find a reasonable con- 
sensus on this subject during the present session of the Congress. 
Mr. Counsel, you, hopefully, have some questions you would like to 
get answered. 
INCREASING EMPHASIS ON THE OCEAN 
Mr. Curnean. I have one or two. I would like to go back, Doctor, if 
IT may, to the question of funding and have you clarify one or two 
points. The first is, if I may use your analogy, your reference to the 
mechanism andamounts of gas necessary to run it. 
Tf I can use that analogy to pose my question, is it not true, were it 
not for the automobile there would not be any need for gas? To put it 
more precisely, would you not agree that if there were a centralized 
organization for management of ocean affairs that there would be a 
stronger voice for more gas, and this might be beneficial in that respect ? 
Dr. Wenx. Mr. Clingan, I have to again respond affirmatively on 
this point about advocacy for marine affairs. I believe the Council has 
done an outstanding job in calling attention to those within the Goy- 
ernment and outside, of the importance of the oceans. As I look back 
9 
over these 3 years, I see this response developing in many, many 
