United States, of course, has occupied a prominent place in Arctic history for many years, in fact, many centuries. Many countries have taken a very active interest in this field. There has been in the past a precedent for cooperative activities among various countries. In 1882, 13 countries participated in the establishment and maintenance of stations in the Arctic under a royal commission which at that time was in Germany. That was revived 5 years later. In the past the problem of penetrating the Arctic was largely a matter of very careful planning against unforeseen contingencies. We still must plan carefully but the problem is greatly simplified by the availability of modern equipment and materials. Lieutenant Greeley's men would not have died at Cape Sabine if they had had a radio, or if an airplane had been available for their support. The estimate of $200,000 per station, as included in the Senate Report 656, is based on preliminary estimates resulting from recent military experience. This is, however, necessarily a very general approximation. Many factors can only be guessed at until the extent of international cooperation is determined, the exact locations of stations defined, and the best method of accomplishments finally determined. Furthermore it should be made clear that the estimated figure does not contemplate full establishment in 1 year. It is proposed to start with an absolute minimum establishment in the first year, performing a minimum function. Stations will be built up as we gather better information and it may take 3 or 4 years, at approximately the same annual expenditure before a full station is completed, adequate for permanent occupancy and for fulfillment of the complete meteorological function. Eventually costs will diminish to what is necessary for maintenance only, consisting of the replenishment of consumable stores. By that time additional stations may be authorized but such questions will, of course, be considered in connection with future appropriations. Dr. Reichelderfer has indicated an initial program of Arctic stations consisting of something less than a half dozen outposts. This represents a total expenditure of an amount in the vicinity of a million dollars. It has been shown, in justification, that the value of improved meteorological forecasting should represent a very large asset in our national economy. We are discussing a sum which is considerably less than the cost of a single large building or one of our superhighways, and the benefits can be measured in substantial advantages to aviation, agriculture, industry, and to science as a whole. It seems clear that the cost will be very small compared to the profit in our national economy. Chairman FLANNAGAN. Doctor, if we take action on this, we will have to suspend now. I think we have the entire story. Colonel HUBBARD. All right. Chairman FLANNAGAN. Thank you. All persons who are not members of the committee will retire. HEARINGS U. S, Congress, How BEFORE THE THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE THERAPY C CONGRESS SERIAL RECORU HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APR 24.1063 SEVENTY-NINTH CONGRESS 1 SECOND SESSION GOVT. SOURCE 82654 ON H. R. 4362 and H. R. 4364 BILLS TO ABOLISH THE PARKER RIVER NATIONAL NOVEMBER 19, 1945-FEBRUARY 11, 1946 Serial H Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1946 bonograph (Incomplete) Copy COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE JOHN W. FLANNAGAN, JR., Virginia, Chairman CLIFFORD R. HOPE, Kansas J. ROLAND KINZER, Pennsylvania HAROLD D. COOLEY, North Carolina W. R. POAGE, Texas GEORGE M. GRANT, Alabama JOSEPH R. FARRINGTON, Hawaii CONTENTS Statement of Barnes, E. W., biologist of the marine fisheries, Boston, Mass. Battis, Ralph, Newbury, Mass Bates, Hon. George J., of Massachusetts. Bushee, Mrs. George, Newbury, Mass.. Callahan, Senator J. Elmer, Massachusetts State Senate___ Falabella, Sgt. Louis, Groveland, Mass Flynn, Albert L., city clerk, city of Lynn, Mass Fryer, Malcolm F., chairman, citizens protest committee, Groveland, Fuller, Francis_ Furbush, Richard I., State senator, Massachusetts, Waltham, Mass.. Gifford, Hon. Charles, of Massachusetts Goodwin, Angier L., of Massachusetts_ Hagar, Joseph A., State ornithologist, Massachusetts Department of Hayes, William F., Ipswich, Mass.. Ickes, Hon. Harold L., Secretary of the Interior (letter). Mason, Mr., Massachusetts Conservation Council. 112, 177 38 199 137, 208 Page 107 1, 169 111 55 Phister, Lispenard B., attorney at law, Boston, Mass- Saltonstall, Hon. Leverett, United States Senator from the State of III 231 128 257 170 256 59, 185 121 5, 188 39, 181 Massachusetts ___ Sloper, A. K., conservation commissioner of Massachusetts- Tobin, Maurice J., Governor of the State of Massachusetts- Weston, Arthur D., chief engineer, Massachusetts Department of 69, 169 Willis, Frederick B., speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.. 54 34 35, 132 |