Committee Prints

equipment of another concern not a subcontractor, or of an affiliate in determining the ability of the prospective contractor to perform the contract (recommendation 5); and establishes procedures for providing the contract administration officer with any unfavorable information regarding the ability of contractors to perform (recommendation 7).

These changes in DOD procurement procedure will result in significant savings to the American taxpayer and increased efficiency.

3. "Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1965 (Locomotive Inspection)." House Report No. 701, July 30, 1965. Sixteenth Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report. This report was based on an investigation into the problems of locomotive inspection within the Interstate Commerce Commission, which Reorganization Plan No. 3 was designed to solve. In view of the subcommittee's investigation, no disapproval resolution on the plan was filed by the House or the Senate and it became law on July 7, 1965. The investigation centered on any pos sibility of weakening of locomotive inspection and safety functions under the plan as had been charged by representatives of certain organizations. The report indicated that in spite of many deficiencies in the inspection service, the plan had merit and should go into effect. The subcommittee warned, however, that improvements in safety procedures should be made by the Interstate Commerce Commission after the plan was put into operation.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits.-It was estimated by the Interstate Commerce Commission that under the reorganization plan, without any increase in personnel, approximately 15 percent more railway safety work could be performed and the resulting increase in productivity would be worth about $170,000 a year. (c) Hearings.-July 7, 1965. Transcript printed.

4. "Review of Market Promotion Activity of Foreign Agricultural Service." House Report No. 1165, October 14, 1965. Twentieth Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report. This report was based upon an investigation into the market promotion activities of the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture and particularly the misuse of U.S. counterpart funds by private persons and trade associations cooperating with the Service in such promotions. Numerous examples of the misuse of funds were revealed in the report and instances of imprudent management decisions by FAS officials resulted in waste. The report noted that the Foreign Agricultural Service had moved to correct many of the problems and recognized its cooperation. The subcommittee made a number of recommendations, which, if carried out, will greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits.-Total annual savings of about $1,050,000 have been secured as a result of the investigation up to the time the report was approved. Further substantial savings are expected as a result of the recommendations approved by the committee.

5. "Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1966 (National Zoological Park)." House Report No. 2048, September 21, 1966. Thirty-Sixth Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report. This report was based on a study and analysis to determine whether Reorganization Plan No. 4 (see II.X, below) was in accord with the objectives of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The report indicated that the plan had merit and should be allowed to go into effect. No disapproval resolution on the plan was filed by the House or the Senate and the plan became law on August 23, 1966.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits. While it is not practicable to estimate the monetary savings that would result under the reorganization plan at this time, such savings, though small, are expected to occur.

6. "Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1966 (National Capital Regional Planning Council)." House Report No. 2049, September 21, 1966. Thirty-Seventh Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report.-This report was based on a study and analysis to determine whether Reorganization Plan No. 5 (see II.Y, below) was in accord with the objectives of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The report indicated that the plan had merit and should be allowed to go into effect. No disapproval resolution was filed by the House or the Senate and the plan became law on September 8, 1966.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits.-It was estimated by the Bureau of the Budget that annual savings of at least $25,000 should result from the reorganization plan.

7. "Market Promotion Activity of Foreign Agriculture Service (Second Review)." House Report No. 2206, October 7, 1966. Fortieth Report by the Committee on Government Operations. (a) Summary of report. This report was based upon a continuation of an investigation into the market promotion activities of the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture to determine to what extent the recommendations made by the committee in its initial report (H. Rept. 1165 noted in No. 4, above) have been accepted and are being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, and to determine whether previously noted deficiencies have been corrected. This report noted that the Department of Agriculture

has substantially accepted the recommendations of the committee and that gratifying progress has been made by the Foreign Agricultural Service toward implementing such recommendations. It was found, however, that despite the program's overall success there are certain areas, such as the attitude of agricultural attachés, where long overdue corrective actions still need to be taken, including facets of the program in which administrative procedures continue to be weak and ineffectual. Recommendations were made by the committee which, if carried out, will further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits.-The followup efforts reflected in this report resulted in new annual savings of approximately $663,387 which were achieved by the Foreign Agricultural Service.

8. "Strengthening Wage-Price Guideposts." House Report No. 2231, October 11, 1966. Forty-First Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report. This report was an outgrowth of the committee's consideration of H.R. 11916, a bill to amend the Employment Act of 1946 to provide congressional review of wage-price guideposts and to bring to bear an informed public opinion upon price and wage behavior which threatens national economic stability. Due to the lateness of the session and the expected adjournment of Congress, the committee decided that its views and recommendations on this important matter should be put into a report to the House rather than propose adoption of the bill. The report proposed that the President's wage-price guideposts be considered in public hearings by the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress, thereby providing an opportunity for representatives of labor, management, and the public to give their views on the guideposts. If that committee approves the guideposts, they will be considerably strengthened in their effect and would obtain greater public acceptance.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits. It is not possible at this time to estimate the savings to be obtained if the recommendations contained in this report are adopted, but considering the serious nature of the problem of inflation in our national economy and its effect on Federal finances, the savings could be considerable.

MILITARY OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

1. "Government Weather Programs (Military and Civilian Operations and Research)" House Report No. 177, March 17, 1965. First Report by the Committee on Government Operations. (a) Summary of report. This report, prepared by the Science Policy Research Division of the Library of Congress at the direction of the subcommittee, contains the first compilation and analysis of the wide range of Government and Government-sponsored activities related to atmospheric and allied sciences, research, and weather operations. Much of the data presented has not been kept or obtained in a detailed and comparable basis for prior years, but the report attempts to present the current programs so that they may be compared and related. The report contains subcommittee observations, a general introduction, data on funding, facilities, manpower, and equipment, and a detailed description of the activities of each agency that has significant weather research or operating functions. It also contains a description of the multiagency and multidisciplinary programs or activities, and of the U.S. role in international weather or related scientific programs.

The report analyzes the data presented and gives a listing of issues which are likely to be a present or potential concern of the Members and committees of Congress. In part IX, the report contains a series of questions on the following topics:

(1) The significance and content of national programs.

(2) Mechanisms for Federal coordination.

(3) Coordination of atmospheric sciences and meteorological

services.

(4) Authorizations and appropriations.

(5) Fragmentation of atmospheric sciences and meteorological services.

(6) Objectives and long-range planning.

(7) Congressional review.

(8) Air-sea interaction program.

(9) Weather modification program.

(10) Meteorological satellites.

(11) Climatology.

(12) Communication of weather data.

(13) Facilities.

(14) Manpower and education.

(15) Information transfer.

(16) Computers.

(17) International programs.

(18) Research and development.

The subcommittee calls particular attention to the difficulties of coordinating multiagency programs, of coordinating activities and results, and of evaluating the benefits of weather programs, particu

larly as between military and civil programs. The report asks whether there should be separate programs of weather services and weather research and development; how to achieve better coordination; how to measure the present state of the art and the policies best suited for the present state; and whether there is a current need for legislation on weather programs.

(b) Estimated monetary and other benefits.-This report has become almost a standard text for agencies and personnel interested in the formulation and pursuit of weather programs. Virtually all agencies concerned agreed that the questions and issues presented in the report were penetrating and pertinent, and that they would serve as guidelines for further action.

In responding to the report, the Bureau of the Budget said that Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1965, creating the Environmental Sciences Services Administration in the Department of Commerce, was a relevant response to the issues raised. Reorganization Plan No. 2 was submitted to Congress on May 13, 1965, and hearings on the plan were held by the Executive and Legislative Reorganization Subcommittee of this committee. Savings associated with the plan have been estimated to be $2 million.

In response to the report, the National Science Foundation has undertaken to report more currently on weather modification programs and activities. Also, steps have been taken to activate the United States-U.S.S.R. weather data exchange program in accordance with the U.S. position that the exchange should either be activated or discontinued.

(c) Hearings. No hearings have yet been held on this subject matter. Reports of agency responses have been printed in a committee print listed in section IV below.

2. "Satellite Communications (Military-Civil Roles and Relationships)," House Report No. 178, March 17, 1965. Second Report by the Committee on Government Operations.

(a) Summary of report. This report identifies and examines the various public policy issues which have emerged during the 6 years of Government effort in promoting and developing satellite communications. Chief attention is given to military-civil roles and relations involving the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Communications Satellite Corp.

The report reviews the problems of high program costs, overlap and duplication, interagency coordination, the extent of Government assistance to the commercial sector, and the justification for separate systems. In analyzing these complicated issues the report uncovers a more fundamental concern: What must be done to establish workable satellite communications systems which will enhance the security of the United States and best promote its national objectives?

The report concludes that there was unwarranted delay in the development of a military communications satellite system, occasioned in large part by protracted discussions between the Department of Defense and the Communications Satellite Corp., looking toward a single system to serve both military and commercial needs. After

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