925 
testimony to the objection to the proposed NOAA, and make a 
comment on the study which is going forward. 
I would like to get at the reasons why you apparently have some 
concern about NOAA as the best instrumentality. Is it because you 
feel that the elements which it is proposed have their efforts coordi- 
nated, which are listed at the top of page 12 of your testimony, namely, 
the Coast Guard, the ESSA, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, the 
national sea- -evant program, the U.S. Lake Survey, and the National 
Atmospheric Data Center, should not be coordinated ? 
Dr. ‘Tripus. Oh, not at all. I think the concern goes more along the 
line of what I spoke of earlier. That is, that we are concerned with 
the development of a capability in the ocean that involves more than 
just the U.S. Government. It involves the encouragement of industry 
to participate, to develop activities. 
A separate agency which is not primarily oriented to the develop- 
ment of the economy is going to find it somewhat more difficult to ful- 
fill its role. 
I am not saying it is impossible. I am not saying a separate agency 
is an impossible way to do business. It may well be a way to do it. 
I am just saying that when you shift your focus from saying, ‘There 
is that big ocean, let’s all get in it and do things,” to, “There is that 
yesource that needs to be developed,” and if you think of the total 
development processes not just the science and technology, but the 
science and technology plus financing, organization, personnel, the 
development of viable enterprises, you may shift your sights a little 
bit, and when you take that into account, a separate agency may not 
be the west way. 
But I am not saying that it is an impossible way, or that there is 
something inherently wrong about it. I am just saying there are more 
alternatives to be considered. 
Mr. Detirenzack. Would you then please make a brief comment on 
what alternative you personally feel would be superior to this cen- 
tralized agency ? 
I recognize that Mr. Mosher’s earlier question was reaching in the 
direction of the Department of Commerce. I think this 1s no time for 
modesty on your part. I would like to know what your opinion is 
since you are one who is deeply involved in this fleld, because I really 
don’t understand whether you are being delicate ‘and modest, or 
whether you are really saying to us that you don’t think it ought to be 
coordinated in a single agency. 
T would like to know, as one member of the subcommittee, what you 
are saying. 
Mr. Trisvs. I am awfully glad this is on the record. Very few times 
in my life have I ever been accused of excessive modesty. 
I would like to consult with my attorney here for a moment. 
Well, I am afraid that the best I can say now is that we can consider 
hy pothetical cases of various sorts, but I just don’t want to get into 
the position of discussing what this administration ought to do, ‘because 
I think that takes on matters that go beyond my province. I don’t like 
the people who work for me usurping my authority, and I don’t want 
to do this to the people above me. 
Mr. Detienpack. Please, Mr. Secretary. 
