936 
So that down here in Washington we heard about 3 feet of water in 
the main streets of Hyannis at midafternoon of the following day 
because that was what was forecast the night before. 
Of course, a resort community relies on patronage, and I know that 
people were discouraged from coming up by reason of the reports 
that were actually not at all substantiated by the weather pattern that 
followed. 
It is not your fault, certainly, that the newspapers do this. I know of 
one radio station in Springfield that called the newspaper in Falmouth 
to find out what the true facts were, and then went ahead and broke 
the false story anyway. 
If we are off on a tangent, I do think that there is a point to be made 
here. If you had a national agency of this sort—the coordination, the 
research, the development, the availability of men and equipment, a 
stronger chain of command—it might be of real value. 
Dr. Wurtre. I will agree with that statement. 
Mr. Kerrn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
Mr. Lennon, Let me ask you this. You say that “The concept of 
NOAA ... may not be the best vehicle for the Nation’s effort in the 
marine environment.” 
Would you say, Mr. Secretary, that the commission in its 214 years 
of study gave every possible consideration to all other alternatives 
other than the NOAA concept that they recommended ? 
What would be your judgment before the member of the commission 
comments on that, if he cares to comment ? 
Dr. Trrpus. With all due respect to the commission, I think that 
the commission’s thrust was not as strongly along the line of economic 
development and the promotion of viable institutions, as it was along 
the line of promoting activity in the ocean and seeing what it would 
take to fund that activity, and to taking the view that if we had all this 
activity that the economic development would probably proceed with- 
out really focusing on what it takes to make it occur. 
Mr. Lennon. But you have not ‘answered my question. I asked you 
if you did not have the judgment now that the members of the com- 
mission gave some serious consideration to other alternatives other than 
NOAA as they recommended. 
Dr. Trisus. Well, if they did, it is certainly not in the report. I 
wasn’t there and I can’t answer that question because you are asking 
me about things that are not of my knowledge. 
Mr. Lennon. What would you say about that, Dr. White? 
Dr. Wurre. Mr. Chairman, of course, I cannot speak for the com- 
mission. I can only speak for myself. Of course, I did not take a stand 
on the organization proposals. It is certainly clear that the commission 
did consider other alternatives in their deliberations. 
Mr. Lennon. I understood you to say what? 
Dr. Wurrs. The commission did consider many other alternatives 
in its deliberations. 
Mr. Lennon. All right, sir. Now let me return to you, Mr. Secretary. 
I am sure that you are well aware of the action taken by the Presi- 
dent on the Marine Commission report and both his program and orga- 
nizational recommendations are being seriously studied. 
When did you prepare this statement that you gave -here today, 
Mr. Secretary ? ant 
