tion of funds might prove too inelastic. The Mills bill, on the other hand, while setting up some definite limitations, gives more latitude to the board for specific allocations. Finally, I am in complete agreement with the patent provision of the Mills bill which states that each contract executed by the Foundation which relates to scientific research or development shall contain provisions governing the disposition of inventions produced thereunder in a manner carculated to protect the public interest and the equities of the individual or organization with which the contract is executed. It seems to me that as a matter of equity final legislation should include such a safeguard. In conclusion, may I say that the passage of the Mills bill will contribute to the general welfare of the people of the United States for defense against both external enemies and the internal enemies of disease and want. With the Federal Government supporting scientific research without prejudice to its freedom or our traditional institutions, we may meet with greater confidence the challenge of the postwar world. But, gentlemen, the safeguards of freedom must have the most serious consideration. Otherwise the slavish policy of government direction and control will lead us into a form of totalitarianism almost as bad as the one we went to war against 4 years ago. Mr. PRIEST. It is possible that the committee may hold a session tomorrow morning, but that depends on the ability of some other witnesses who wish to appear to be able to be here at that time, and so on that uncertainty the committee will stand adjourned subject to the call of the Chair, with the likelihood that there will be a session tomorrow morning. (Whereupon, at 11:30 a. m., Wednesday, May 29, 1946, the subcommittee adjourned subject to the call of the chairman.) ADDENDA Subsequently to above adjournment, advice was received that those other witnesses the subcommittee chairman indicated desiring to appear either decided to submit written statements for the record or no longer desired to personally appear, and the chairman of subcommittee, therefore, declared the hearing concluded. The statement by Rev. J. Hugh O'Donnell was submitted and appears as a part of the hearing on a previous page. The following communications were received and are made a part of the hearing record as follows: (The letters referred are as follows:) THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, Hon. J. PERCY PRIEST, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, MY DEAR MR. PRIEST: Please accept my thanks for your recent informal invitation to comment on H. R. 6448, a bill to promote the progress of science and the useful arts; to secure the national defense; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and for other purposes. This Department is deeply interested in the various bills proposing the establishment of a National Science Foundation, and has repeatedly expressed its approval of their general objectives. In the course of the extensive Senate hearings on this subject testimony was given by several representatives of the Department, and recommendations concerning the specific provisions that might be included were presented. I will not repeat here what was then said, since I understand the record of the Senate hearings is before your subcommittee for consideration. One major problem to which attention has been called in the reports submitted on other scientific research bills is the possibility of serious overlap or duplication with the work of existing Federal scientific agencies. A similar observation can be made with regard to H. R. 6448, and the following amendments, which I believe would tend to reduce this potential duplication, are therefore recommended. (1) At the end of section 13 insert a new subsection: "(f) The activities of the Foundation shall be construed as supplementing and not superseding, curtailing, or limiting any of the functions or activities of other Government agencies authorized to engage in scientific research and development. Funds allocated by the Foundation to other Government agencies shall be utilized for projects approved by the Board and undertaken on behalf of the Foundation, and shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, funds regularly appropriated to such other Government agencies." (2) At the end of section 2 insert a new subsection: "(h) To utilize in planning and carrying out its programs, to the fullest extent practicable, the facilities of other Government agencies authoried to engage in scientific research and development." (3) Amend section 6 to provide that each of the several divisions, except that of National Defense, shall include at least one member chosen from a Federal agency authorized to engage in research and development within the field of that Division. It would be desirable that this member or members be selected from a panel recommended by the Federal agencies operating within such field. These three suggestions would materially assist in coordinating the work of the Foundation with that of the existing scientific agencies of the Government, and I hope it will be possible to incorporate them in the bill. An additional provision that would further assist such coordination would be the establishment of an Interdepartmental Committee on Science, analogous to the one provided for in section 10 of S. 1850, the most recent of the several bills on this subject that have been considered in the Senate. In the event such an interdepartmental committee is provided for in the bill, it should be charged with the duty of making up the panel referred to in the last preceding suggestion. For purposes of clarification I recommend that on page 14, line 9, after the word "facilities" the following clause be added: "but, if it acquires any such facilities or other property, may transfer the same to Government agencies or other organizations undertaking research and development activities for the Foundation." While subsection (e) of section 8 may be construed as sufficiently broad to encompass the foregoing authorization, its incorporation in the bill in specific terms appears to be desirable. Finally, on page 8, line 1, after the word "Territories," and on page 12, line 2, after the same word, it would be advantageous to insert the words "and possessions." This would serve to eliminate any doubt that citizens residing in such offshore possessions as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which do not bear the technical title of "Territories," would be eligible to receive scholarships and fellowships and to participate in the other benefits provided by the bill. In view of my understanding that early action of H. R. 6448 is contemplated, it has not been possible to submit this report to the Bureau of the Budget and, therefore, no commitment can be made concerning the relationship of the views expressed herein to the program of the President. Sincerely yours, Hon. WESLEY D'EWART, OSCAR L. CHAPMAN, Acting Secretary of the Interior. MONTANA STATE COLLEGE, Bozeman, Mont., June 10, 1946. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN D'EWART: We have received word from our Land-Grant College Association president, Dean Thomas Cooper, of the University of Kentucky, that Congressman Mills has introduced a bill, H. R. 6448, which is a competing measure with the Senate Science Foundation bill, S. 1850, which is like the original Magnuson bill. It makes no provisions for geographic distribution of any research and development funds. Our Land-Grant College Association committee appointed to keep abreast of these matters, comprising President Edmund E. Day, of Cornell University, and President E. B. Fred, of the University of Wisconsin, indicate that they are convinced this change is not in the national interest, and we agree that it will adversely affect prospects of State universities and land-grant colleges. We believe, therefore, that every effort should be made to reinforce the support of ⚫S. 1850. Your interest in these matters will be deeply appreciated. Very truly yours, |