1078 
President has referred these recommendations to his Advisory Council 
on Executive Organization for consideration in the context of broader 
Federal organizational requirements. 
The Department of State has found the mechanism of the Marine 
Council useful in assisting us in carrying out our responsibilities with 
respect to international marine affairs. 
Mr. Lennon. Mr. Pollack, I am going to take the liberty to inter- 
ject a question at this point. 
You say, “The President has referred these recommendations to 
his Advisory Council on Executive Organization for consideration 
in the context of broader Federal organizational! requirements.” 
Specifically what council are you referring to by name or identifica- 
tion as an organization 4 
Mr. Potiack. This is the council that is headed up by Mr. Ash, 
and I was under the impression, sir, that the proper title was the 
one I used in this text. 
Mr. Lennon, I just wanted you to identify it. You referred to it as 
a commission, I believe. 
Mr. Potxiack. That is right. 
Mr. Lennon. When did the President by a written communication 
request the so-called Advisory Council on Executive Organization, 
known as the Ash Commission, to consider the Commission’s report, 
particularly that related to a proposed Government structure such 
as NOAA 
Mr. Potiack. Sir, I do not have the answer to your question with 
me. I would have to check on that. 
Mr. Lennon. Just for the record, let us put that in. 
It was on May 19, 1969. I have a copy of it here. 
Now, what consideration since May 19, since it is now October 14, 
has the Ash Commission given to the President’s specific request that 
they explore the recommendations of the Commission report ? 
Mr. Portiack. Mr. Chairman, I am afraid again J cannot answer 
that question. 
Mr. Lennon. Let us again get the record straight. 
On September 10, or more specifically about 4 months after the 
President by written communication to the Ash. Commission had 
made this request, we inquired of the so-called Ash Commission if 
it had had an opportunity in that approximately 4 months to give 
any consideration to the Commission report, as requested by the 
President. 
They responded to us on September 11, the following day, that, 
“We hope to launch a study within the next month or two,” quoting 
from their communication. “After we get into the problem, we will be 
in a better position to estimate how long it then may take to study 
the President’s specific request of May 19.” 
So that you see here now, from May until October, 4 months later, 
that the Commission has said. “We are not ready yet to begin to com- 
mence to think about the study, but sometime in 2 or 38 months from 
now we can estimate how long it might take to study the President’s 
specific proposal.” 
Ts that anyway for the executive branch of the Government to 
respond, or a Commission to respond to a specific request of the Presi- 
dent ? Do you agree with that ? 
