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Additional material submitted to the committee—

Allen, Dr. Merrill J.-

"Certain visual aspects of the average modern American auto-
mobile," by M. J. Allen, O.D...

116

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Additional material submitted to the committee-Continued
Allen, Dr. Merrill J.-Continued

"Survey of research pertaining to motorists' vision," by Sidney
A. Mintz, O.D.

The relationship between night driving ability and the amount
of light needed for a specific performance on a low-contrast
target..

Quantitative analysis of traffic safety services of national orga-
nizations, chart__.

The safety communications study.

Joliet, Dr. Paul V.-

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Smith, Wallace M., manager, mid-Atlantic office, American Mutual
Insurance Alliance, telegram dated April 22, 1963-

Wallace, Dr. Paul F., letter dated April 1, 1963.

NATIONAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION CENTER

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1963

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE and FOREIGN COMMERCE,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to call, in room 1334, Longworth Building, Hon. Kenneth Roberts (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Mr. ROBERTS. The Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce will begin hearings this morning on H.R. 133, a bill which I introduced to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act, to establish a National Accident Prevention Center.

This Center would conduct, assist, and foster research, investigations, and studies relating to the causes of accidents and the methods of prevention.

It would also promote coordination of research, make available research facilities to be serviced through appropriate public authorities, make grants-in-aid to universities, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private agencies, establish an information center on the causes and prevention of accidents, and so forth.

The bill is identical to the one I introduced in the 87th Congress, H.R. 133 of the 87th Congress. The subcommittee held extensive hearings on the bill last year, so I think it will not be necessary this time to go into as much detail.

However, we will be glad to have all the facts anyone cares to express on this subject. A copy of H.R. 133, together with the agency reports thereon, will be made a part of the record at this point. (The material referred to follows:)

[H.R. 133, 88th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Accident Prevention Center

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new part:

"PART I-NATIONAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION CENTER

"PURPOSE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER

"SEC. 381. In order to assist in the advancement, dissemination, and exchange of knowledge relating to the cause and prevention of accidents, there is hereby established in the Public Health Service a National Accident Prevention Center (hereinafter referred to in this part as the 'Center').

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"FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTER

"SEC. 382. In carrying out the purposes of this part the Surgeon General shall

"(1) conduct, assist, and foster research, investigations, studies relating to the causes, and methods of prevention of accidents;

"(2) promote the coordination of research and control programs conducted by public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals;

"(3) make available research facilities of the Service to appropriate public authorities, and to health officials and scientists engaged in special studies related to the purposes of this part;

"(4) make grants-in-aid to universities, hospitals, laboratories and other public or private agencies and institutions for such research projects relating to the purposes of this part as are recommended by the Council, including grants to such agencies and institutions for the construction, acquisition, leasing, equipment, and maintenance of facilities necessary for such research; "(5) establish an information center on causes and prevention of accidents, and collect and make available, through publications and other appropriate means, information as to, and the practical application of, activities carried on under this part;

"(6) secure from time to time, and for such periods as he deems advisable, the assistance and advice of persons from the United States or abroad who are experts in the field of accident prevention.

"ADMINISTRATION

"SEC. 383. (a) In carrying out the provisions of this part all appropriate provisions of section 301 shall be applicable to the authority of the Surgeon General and grants-in-aid for accident prevention and research and training projects shall be made only after review and recommendation of the Board made pursuant to section 384.

"(b) The Surgeon General shall recommend to the Secretary acceptance of conditional gifts, pursuant to section 501, for study, investigation, or research into the cause, prevention of accidents, or for the acquisition of grounds or for the erection, equipment, or maintenance of premises, buildings, or equipment necessary to carry out this part. Donations of $50,000 or over for carrying out the purposes of this part may be acknowledged by suitable memorials to the donors.

"ACCIDENT PREVENTION ADVISORY BOARD

"SEC. 384. (a) (1) There is hereby established in the Public Health Service an Accident Prevention Advisory Board composed of the Surgeon General or an officer designated by him who shall be chairman, and twelve members appointed by the President none of whom shall be Federal officers or employees. The appointed members, having due regard for the purposes of this part, shall be selected from among representatives of various State, interstate, and local governmental agencies, of public or private interests affected by, or concerned with, accident prevention as well as other individuals who are expert in this field.

"(2) (A) Each member appointed by the President shall hold office for a term of four years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. None of the members appointed by the President shall be eligible for reappointment within one year after the end of his preceding term.

"(B) Members of the Board who are not officers or employees of the United States, while attending conferences or meetings of the Board or while otherwise serving at the request of the Surgeon General, shall be entitled to receive compensation at a rate to be fixed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare but not exceeding $50 per diem, including travel time and while away from their homes or regular places of business. They may be allowed travel expenses including per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized by law for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

"(b) The Board shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Surgeon General on matters of policy relating to the activities and functions of the Surgeon General under this part.

"(c) Such clerical and technical assistance as may be necessary to discharge the duties of the Board shall be provided from the personnel of the Public Health Service.

"FUNCTIONS OF BOARD

"SEC. 385. The Board is authorized

"(1) to review research projects or programs submitted to or initiated by it relating to the study of the cause and prevention of accidents, and certify approval to the Surgeon General, for prosecution under section 382, of any such projects which it believes show promise of making valuable contributions to human knowledge with respect to the cause and prevention of accidents;

"(2) to collect information as to studies which are being carried on in the United States or any other country as to the cause and prevention of accidents, by correspondence or by personal investigation of such studies, and with the approval of the Surgeon General make available such information through the appropriate publications for the benefit of agencies and organizations (public or private), or any other scientists, and for the information of the general public;

"(3) to review applications from any university, hospital, laboratory, or other institution, whether public or private, or from individuals, for grantsin-aid for research projects relating to the cause and prevention of accidents, and certify to the Surgeon General its approval of grants-in-aid in the cases of such projects which show promise of making valuable contributions to human knowledge with respect to the cause and prevention of accidents;

"(4) to recommend to the Surgeon General for acceptance conditional gifts pursuant to section 501 of this Act; and

"(5) to make recommendations to the Surgeon General with respect to carrying out the provisions of this part.

"APPROPRIATIONS

"SEC. 386. Appropriations to carry out the purposes of this part shall be available for the acquisition of land or the erection of buildings only if so specified, but in the absence of express limitation therein may be expended in the District of Columbia for personal services, stenographic recording and translating services, by contract if deemed necessary, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes; traveling expenses (including the expenses of attendance at meetings when specifically authorized by the Surgeon General); rental, supplies and equipment, purchase and exchange of medical books, books of reference, directories, periodicals, newspapers, and press clippings; purchase, operation, and maintenance of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; printing and binding (in addition to that otherwise provided by law); and for all other necessary expenses in carrying out the provisions of this part.'

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Hon. OREN HARRIS,

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, D.C., April 9, 1963.

Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce,
House of Representatives.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your letter of February 14 giving us the opportunity to report on House bill 133. The bill is entitled "To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Accident Prevention Center."

The purpose of the Center would be to assist in the advancement, dissemination, and exchange of knowledge relating to the cause and prevention of accidents through research, investigations, and studies.

The Department of Agriculture is vitally interested in this subject and is devoting considerable effort to educational work on accident prevention, particularly as it relates to farm and rural people. The Department has conducted research within this area from time to time, but this has been limited by available resources. Accidents continue to kill or disable nearly a million farm residents annually, and cause needless suffereing and economic waste to both the agricultural community and the Nation. Increased emphasis on the safety and productive efficiency of farm families is essential to assure a continuing abundance of food and fiber for the well-being of all our people.

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