65 



Dr. Sullivan. Well, Mr. Downing, we spent a reasona})le amount 

 of time in looking at the importance of port development, and in par- 

 ticular deep ports, bulk ports related to the United States and the 

 economic aspects here on the east coast. One of the projects, of course, 

 is the stable platform whicli relates to a deep port offshore, I believe 

 that we take the position that the United States needs this technology 

 and needs the development of ports if they are going to participate 

 in the further revelopment of large industrial complexes related to the 

 ocean and must consider it when it relates to the multiple uses. One 

 of our national projects is for the development of a prototype harbor. 



INIr. Downing. "\'\'iiat portion of the report is that, Mr. Baird ? 



Mr. Baird. This is in the panel 2 report. We proposed 15 national 

 projects and the Commission accepted six, but one of the others that 

 we j)roposed was the prototype development harbor which would 

 carry out what you suggested. We had to put priorities as a Commis- 

 sion and it was not felt that this would qualify among the topics. 



Mr. Lennon. Would the gentleman yield at that point? 



Do you recall that in the Merchant Marine authorization bill there 

 was a small amount of funding to assist ports in an effort for the turn 

 around time for the vessels that go in to try to encourage them to get 

 better types of cranes and so forth? I remember that we discussed 

 that under the authorization bill. 



Mr. Downing. I think we discussed that, but I do not think we 

 funded it. 



Mr. Lennon. They said that they were proposed under research and 

 development if they could get the funds. I know they are interested 

 in it and that is their prime responsibility, but this proposed govern- 

 mental structure does not encompass, as you said, the priorities, but 

 just encompasses the philosophy of getting involved in the develop- 

 ment of those ports. I believe that is what you said. 



Mr. Dow^NiNG. That was one of the offered projects, but was re- 

 jected because of priority. I can understand that. 



Mr. Baird. Sir, our proposal is in the six national projects. We ap- 

 plied the necessary funding to do that but we proposed these addi- 

 tional ones as NOAA got the necessary muscle and the impetus to 

 carry out these things. 



Mr. Lennon. Dr. Sullivan ? 



Dr. Sullivan. Yes, sir, and in the top document we did recommend 

 the studies for the port. This is an imaginative thing of iDutting a port 

 off the United States and includes such things as an airport off the 

 coast. Those are imaginative projects and we did not put those in the 

 document, but the recommendation for study is in that. 



Mr. Downing. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Lennon. Mr. Pelly? 



Mr. Pelly. Dr. Stratton, would you give us the thinking of the 

 group as far as placing an organization like the Coast Guard with its 

 vast role, operating in Vietnam, under an independent agency of this 

 nature ? 



Dr. Stratton. Mav I ask Mr. Baird if he would care to comment on 

 that? 



Mr. Baird. Mr. Pelly, we looked very carefully at that. The Coast 

 Guard has had a long and distinguished role in defense matters and, 

 as you suggest Coast Guard ships and men are serving with distinction 

 now in Vietnam. As oiie looks at the funding pattern of the Coast 



