Individual research libraries and related organizations cannot keep pace with the vast and increasingly complex array of information. Developments in automation taking place at the Library of Congress will have a direct effect on the ability of these libraries to control this information and service it for their clientele. We ask that funds for continued application of automated techniques at the Library of Congress be approved. The mechanization of the Library's catalog card distribution service, which was funded by your Committee during the last few years, has improved immeasurably the distribution of cards to its 25,000 subscribers. Since 1901, libraries have depended on the Library of Congress for its catalog cards. We urge continued support of this program. The Public Law 480 program makes possible the acquisition of multiple copies of foreign-library materials and their distribution to college and university libraries in the United States. Materials of scientific, technical, cultural, and educational significance are purchased with U.S.-owned foreign currency and at a substantially low cost in U.S. dollars. At the same time, the program encourages and promotes cultural exchange and international good will. Few programs can match Public Law 480's record for increased productivity at minimal cost. We enthusiastically support this program and urge that it be continued in the national interest. The number of blind and physically handicapped readers has doubled in the last five years, from 109,000 to 223,000, and the circulation of materials has increased by 33 percent. The Library of Congress' Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which administers the national program by providing books and tapes to libraries and other outlets, must remain responsive to the needs of these special readers. This program is closely interrelated with another federal program for services to the blind and handicapped under Title I (formerly Title IV-B of the Library Services and Construction Act). Both programs complement each other in helping public and other libraries to provide the specialized materials and services needed by our visually and physically handicapped citizens. The American Library Association commends the Congress for its appreciation and support of this unique reading service of the Library of Congress, and we urge your continued support. Books, manuscripts, and films which record the history of our country are rapidly deteriorating and are in danger of being lost forever. This problem is acute not only at the Library of Congress but in libraries throughout the nation. The Library has made steady progress in researching and experimenting with different methods of preservation and has shared its knowledge with other libraries. Now the major task before us is to apply the methods developed and save for posterity these and other valuable materials. We urge that funds be provided this year for an undertaking in which time is of the essence. We urge that the construction of the James Madison Memorial Library Building move ahead as quickly as possible. Additional space is an absolute necessity if the Library of Congress is to continue to be the greatest library on this continent. In addition, the Association urges the Congress to approve all appropriations requests of the Library of Congress so that it may continue to assist the Congress, other libraries, and the publics that they serve. Finally, the American Library Association supports the request of the Superintendent of Documents for funds for FY 1972. We particularly endorse the activities which come under the headings "Printing and Reproduction" and "Other Services", and are specially important to libraries. The "Printing and Reproduction" item includes the cost of printing depository copies of Government Printing Office materials for distribution to the depository libraries located in all States of the Union. The depository library system plays an extremely inportant part in making government-generated information available to the public. The category of "Other Services" includes funds for computerization of inventory records, publications availability files, and mailing lists. Efficiency and promptness in these areas will enable the Superintendent of Documents to provide better and more prompt service to libraries and individuals who use them. We urge Congressional support for all the funding requests of the Superintendent of Documents, FEDERAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES Hon. ALLEN J. ELLENDER, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This replies to your request for our views on the question of involving the Comptroller General in the reporting, disclosure, and investigative functions concerning federal campaign contributions and expenditures, as is proposed by S. 382, as amended by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. We are strongly opposed to placing the responsibility for the administration of Federal campaign financing requirements in the Comptroller General. Our position, as we have stated in the past with regard to several bills, is that we should not be given the responsibility for audit, investigative, or enforcement in connection with Federal elections. We believe that the effectiveness of the Comptroller General and the General Accounting Office depends in large measure upon maintaining a reputation for independence and objectivity. Not only must we remain free from political influence, but we must zealously avoid being placed in a position in which we might be subject to criticism, whether justified or not, that our actions and decisions are prejudiced or influenced by political considerations. We are, therefore, apprehensive of any measure that might subject us to such criticism, the inevitable result of which would be a diminution of congressional and public confidence in our integrity and objectivity. Because our relationship to the Congress closely resembles that of principal and agent, we especially wish to avoid being placed in the anomalous situation of having to investigate and report on our principal. Over the years, we have had frequent and recurring associations with the committees of the Congress and with many of the members of Congress acting in their individual capacity. Our relationship has been most harmonious, but we are quite concerned that it could be severely impaired were we required to investigate and report on members of the Congress concerning campaign funds and expenditures. We agree that there is a need for new legislation relating to the disclosure and financing of Federal election campaign costs, but we strongly recommend that the administration of legislation in this area not be placed in the Comptroller General. An alternative which we believe should be given serious consideration, would be the establishment of an independent, nonpartisan election commission to oversee Federal campaign spending. This approach is proposed in two bills, S. 1 and S. 956, which have been introduced in the 92d Congress. We very much appreciate your interest in obtaining our views on this legisla tion. Sincerely yours, ELMER B. STAATS, CONCLUSION OF HEARINGS Senator HOLLINGS. That concludes the hearings. The subcommittee will recess and reconvene at the call of the Chair. (Whereupon, at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, June 10, the hearings were concluded and the subcommittee was recessed to reconvene at the call of the Chair. Mond Wed Thu |