895 
A. The Maritime Administration of the Department has capabil- 
ities in ship design, port development, and marine transportation engi- 
neering—and a record of innovation in these areas that should be use- 
ful in tackling the problem of developing more efficient commercial 
marine vehicles. 
B. The capabilities of the National Bureau of Standards in develop- 
ing and calibrating instruments for scientific and engineering needs 
could be especially useful for marine instrument development. It also 
has a strong competence in systems analysis which would be vital in 
planning and carrying through a national marine program. 
C. Through its Clearinghouse for Scientific and Technical Infor- 
mation the Department has a unique national capability for the orga- 
nized dissemination of technical information. 
D. The Department’s Economic Development Administration, 
EDA, can contribute to marine industry development through its plan- 
ning and assistance activities aimed at bringing new economic oppor- 
tunity to geographical areas with idle and underused work forces. 
K. The Department’s Business and Defense Services Administration 
undertakes a variety of activities aimed at aiding industrial growth 
and development and could provide a wide range of survey, analytical, 
and interpretative data of value to a fledgling marine industry. 
F. The staff and programs of the Department’s Bureau of Inter- 
national Commerce should be invaluable in affording knowledge of the 
complex international aspects of marine exploitation and commer- 
cialization. 
Thus the Department of Commerce not only has the competence to 
assist in any development ofa broad and comprehensive marine science 
and technology program, but also the resources and organization to 
assist in the exploitation of opportunities in the marine area. 
My reason for outlining to you the conviction of the Department 
that today science and technology is indeed the “common denominator” 
and even touchstone of national economic development is to emphasize 
our satisfaction with the recognition of this principle in the Marine 
Commission’s report. 
I would now like to discuss some of the major recommendations 
contained in the Commission’s report. 
NATIONAL CAPABILITY IN THE SEA 
In the marine science area the Department believes that the Com- 
mission has appropriately identified the need for scientific and en- 
gineering knowledge as the basis upon which to develop the programs 
it has proposed. We have long subscribed to the principle that an 
understanding of the planetary oceans is a necessary goal, and through 
ESSA the Department has already made effective contributions to- 
ward achieving this end. 
Further, this Department has a strong interest in developing civil 
marine technology not only to further the Department’s own marine- 
oriented missions but also because of the Department’s responsibilities 
to foster industry and commerce which depend upon that technology 
for growth. < 
Further, the Commission’s recommendation for national technology 
programs is now being evaluated by the National Technology Projects 
