of the men and women who are being brought together in the new research center. Section 7 (f) of the bill would authorize the payment of salaries up to $15,000 for the services of specially qualified scientific and professional personnel concerned with research activities in the National Institute of Health, one bureau in the Public Health Service. While the National Institute of Health is the main research bureau of the Service, much valuable research is carried on by other bureaus of the Service. This provision should not be extended to the one bureau, but should be service-wide. The emphasis placed upon and expenditures made by the Public Health Service for research in and control of cardiovascular diseases is progressively increasing. The rate by which these activities can be expanded is limited by the number of qualified persons in the cardiovascular field. Most of the basic authority which enactment of S. 2215 would provide already exists in the Public Health Service Act. Provision for graduated expansion of adequately planned programs under existing law would appear to make for a more integrated and effective attack on cardiovascular diseases. At some early date, it would be necessary to increase the $30,000,000 limitation in section 314 (c) of the existing law to provide additional grants to States for State and local control activities. Sincerely yours. FRANK PACE, Jr., Acting Director. Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, FEDERAL SECURITY AGENCY, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This letter is in response to your request of January 28, 1948, for a report on H. R. 5159, a bill to provide for research relating to diseases of the heart and circulation, including high blood pressure, in a supreme endeavor to develop speedily more effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases, and for other purposes. Since the bill is, with two exceptions, identical with H. R. 5087, a bill to provide for research and control relating to diseases of the heart and circulation, my comments regarding the latter bill which were sent to you by letter dated April 26, 1948, apply in all respects to this bill. The following comments refer to the two exceptions mentioned above: The first of these exceptions relates to the inclusion in H. R. 5159, but not in H. R. 5087, of "refresher courses (i. e., in matters relating to heart diseases) for physicians" among the purposes specifically mentioned for the establishment of the National Heart Institute. The specific mention of this purpose is, in my opinion, desirable. The second exception relates to the absence in H. R. 5159 of specific authority to appropriate funds for the construction of necessary buildings. The Federal Security Agency appropriation bill for the fiscal year 1949 (H. R. 5728), as it passed the House of Representatives on March 8, 1948, and as it was reported out by the Senate Committee on Appropriations on April 23, 1948, contains an appropriation and contract authorization for the construction of facilities for general medical research, including research in cardiovascular diseases. Should the appropriation bill become law, there would be no need for the inclusion in H. R. 5159 of any such special authorization relating to construction of heart disease research facilities. Pursuant to established procedure, this report was submitted to the Bureau of the Budget and that Bureau has advised me that the "legislation would not appear to be in accord with the program of the President" for reasons set forth in a letter of April 7, 1948, to Senator Taft from the Acting Director of the Bureau of the Budget on S. 2215, a bill very similar to H. R. 5159. I gather from a reading of this letter that the Acting Director's objections go principally to the methods of accomplishing the basic purposes of S. 2215 (and H. R. 5159), rather than to the purposes themselves, and that the Bureau of the Budget is generally in sympathy with the objectives of this legislation. A copy of the letter to Senator Taft from the Acting Director of the Bureau of the Budget on S. 2215 was enclosed with my letter to you of April 26, 1948, commenting on H. R. 5087. Sincerely yours, OSCAR R. EWING, Administrator. Hon. CHARLES H. WOLVERTON, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, November 10, 1947. Chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Navy Department notes the introduction of H. R. 3464 to provide for the mobilization of the scientific resources and knowl edge of the United States for the purpose of seeking the causes and cure of cancer, heart disease, infantile paralysis, and other diseases of mankind. The purpose of the bill is to establish an independent agency to be known as the Medical Research Agency which would be headed by an unpaid board of five directors appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The board would then appoint a director, who in turn would be empowered to appoint two deputy directors. The new agency would be charged with the task of initiating, conducting, and supporting scientific research with respect to the cause and cure of cancer, rheumatic fever, Bright's disease, diabetes, diseases of the heart and circulation and other major diseases of mankind and with the further task of investigating the cause and spread of contagious or infectious diseases, including malaria, with the duty to make recommendations in respect thereto. It is the belief of the Navy Department that the proposed agency would duplicate the work of existing Government agencies with a consequent duplication in the use of Government funds. The Public Health Service includes a National Institute of Health, a National Cancer Institute, and National Advisory Health, Cancer, and Mental Health Councils which are already engaged in much of the work proposed for the new agency. It would also conflict with certain private agencies such as the Cancer Foundation and the Infantile Paralysis Foundation. The proposed agency would not only duplicate existing agencies but the research poposed to be assigned to it would also be within the compass of the proposed National Science Foundation. Although an act to establish the latter foundation was vetoed by the President in the last session of Congress because of its administrative organization, it is believed that a revised bill will be introduced in the next session of Congress, the enactment of which would also make inadvisable the establishment of the type of agency envisaged in the bill H. R. 3464. While the Navy Department is in sympathy with any proposals to further fundamental research and to promote the health of the people of the country, it is believed that our present agencies for research should be encouraged and Government finances concentrated rather than spread among a number of activities with the result that much money which should go for research would no doubt be used for overhead. The Navy Department is also in favor of the establishment of a National Science Foundation which would attack the problems of scientific research on a broad front. Finally, the Navy Depatment desires to support the policy of the President with reference to the elimination of agencies which duplicate each other and whose functions overlap. In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 3464. The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there is no objection to the submission of this report to the Congress. Sincerely yours, Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, W. JOHN KENNEY, Acting Secretary of the Navy. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Further reference is made to your request for the views of this Department on H. R. 5087, to provide for research and control relating to diseases of the heart and circulation, and H. R. 5159, to provide for research relating to diseases of the heart and circulation, including high-blood pressure, in a supreme endeavor to develop speedily more effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases, and for other purposes. Section 5 (c) and section 6 are the only provisions of the bills of interest to this Department. Section 5 (c) of each bill would provide for certification to the Secretary of the Treasury by the Surgeon General of allotments to States for the establishment and maintenance of programs of prevention, treatment, and control of heart diseases, and for payment by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with such certification prior to audit or settlement by the General Accounting Office. Section 6 of each bill would provide for the acceptance of conditional gifts, pursuant to section 501 of the Public Health Service Act, for the study, prevention, or treatment of heart diseases, or for the acquisition of grounds, buildings, or equipment for the National Heart Institute which would be established by the bills. The enactment of the two foregoing provisions would result in no unsual administrative difficulties for this Department. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that this proposed legislation would not appear to be in accord with the program of the President. Very truly yours, A. LEE M. WIGGINS, Acting Secretary of the Treasury. VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION, Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR MR. WOLVERTON: This has further reference to your letter of January 28, 1948, requesting a report relative to H. R. 5159, Eightieth Congress, a bill to provide for research relating to diseases of the heart and circulation, including high blood pressure, in a supreme endeavor to develop speedily more effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases, and for other purposes. This bill proposes to establish a National Heart Institute in the Public Health Service and a National Heart Council for the principal purpose of improving the health of the people of the United States through the conduct of research, investigation, experiments, and demonstrations relating to the cause, prevention, and methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulation. The proposed program would be administered by the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service under the supervision and direction of the Federal Security Administrator, and the Surgeon General would be given broad powers in carrying out the purposes of the bill. The National Heart Council would consist of the Surgeon General or his representative, the Chief Medical Officer of the Veterans' Administration or his representative, the Surgeon General of the Army or his representative, the Surgeon General of the Navy or his representative, and 12 members appointed by the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service with the approval of the Federal Security Administrator. The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service would be authorized to utilize the services of any member or members of the Council in connection with matters relating to the work of the Service for such periods, in addition to conference periods, as he may determine to be necessary. The Council would act in an advisory capacity to the Surgeon General. The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service would be authorized to make grants-in-aid to States, counties, health districts, and other political subdivisions of the States and to public and nonprofit institutions for the establishment and maintenance of programs of prevention, treatment, and control of heart diseases. This proposal is similar to existing law (42 U. S. C. 246) with respect to grants to States, counties, health districts, and other political subdivisions of the States for the prevention, control, and treatment of venereal diseases and tuberculosis. He would also be authorized to accept gifts for use in carrying out the provisions of the bill pursuant to section 501 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U. S. C. 219). Several bills have been introduced in the Eightieth Congress having a purpose similar to that of H. R. 5159. Among these are S. 2215, pending before the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare; H. R. 3762 and H. R. 5087, pending before your committee. As part of its medical activities, the Veterans' Administration has established a program of research into heart disease and related ailments and in this connection has obtained the services of outstanding specialists. The need for intensive research in this field of medicine is obvious. However, the committee may wish to weigh the advisability of the development of multiple institutes for specific diseases on the ground that it tends to departmentalize research and investigation, whereas broad discussion and knowledge are essential for sound investigation. Since the Veterans' Administration would not be charged with any duties or responsibilities under the proposed legislation other than in representation on the proposed National Health Council, no comment other than the above is offered. It is assumed that your committee will desire the views of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service and the Federal Security Administrator relative to this proposed legislation, since these officials will, in case of enactment, have primary responsibility for its administration. Due to the urgent request of the committee for a report on this measure, there has not been sufficient time in which to ascertain from the Bureau of the Budget the relationship of the proposed legislation to the program of the President. Sincerely yours, CARL R. GRAY, Jr., Administrator. Hon. CHARLES H. WOLVERTON, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 5, 1947. Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. WOLVERTON: The War Department is opposed to the enactment of H. R. 3464, Eightieth Congress, a bill to provide for the mobilization of the scientific resources and knowledge of the United States for the purpose of seeking the causes and cure of cancer, heart disease, infantile paralysis, and other diseases of mankind. H. R. 3464 would create a Medical Research Agency which apparently would act independently of other Government agencies established to promote research in the fields of medicine and allied subjects. The War Department feels that the agency proposed in this bill would be in conflict with the ideals and purposes of a National Science Foundation, which the War Department has strongly supported. We feel that the Foundation should encompass all the physical sciences, including those of medicine. As medical research depends on support from allied fields of science as well as specific fields within medicine proper, it is felt that the over-all supervision and coordination of medical research can best be handled by the National Science Foundation, as approved by the Senate. Except for the specified salaries of the Director and his two deputies totaling $42,000, and an initial appropriation of $5,000,000, the War Department is not able to estimate the fiscal effects of this bill. For the reason set forth above, the War Department recommends that H. R. 3464 be not favorably considered. The Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to the submission of this unfavorable report, as the enactment of the proposed legislation would not be in accord with the program of the President. DEAR MR. WOLVERTON: Further reference is made to your letter of May 21, 1947, requesting a report of the Commission's views on H. R. 3464, a bill to provide for the mobilization of the scientific resources and knowledge of the United States for the purpose of seeking the causes and cure of cancer, heart disease, infantile paralysis, and other diseases of mankind. H. R. 3464 authorizes the establishment of a Medical Research Agency to conduct scientific research into the causes and cure of certain diseases. The only provision of the bill regarding which the Commission desires to make any comment is section 5 (a), which reads as follows: "SEC. 5. The Agency is empowered to do all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this act, and without being limited hereby, the Agency is specifically authorized "(a) to prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary governing the manner of its operations and its organization and personnel;". The language quoted above may give rise to some question whether employments in the Agency are subject to the Civil Service Act, the Veterans' Preference Act, and the Classification Act of 1923. Ordinarily, such language would not be construed to authorize an exception from these statutes as several opinions of Attorneys General have held that all Government employments are subject to the general laws relating to appointment and compensation unless the pertinent statute contains language to the contrary which is so clear and unequivocal as to admit of no doubt. Furthermore, the Civil Service Act itself gives the President full authority to make any necessary exceptions whether on a full-time or parttime basis. The Commission believes that employments in the Medical Research Agency should not be excepted from the general laws relating to appointment and compensation of Government employees. In order to avoid any doubt in the matter, it is suggested that the following language be added at the end of section 5 (a): "subject to the civil-service laws and regulations and the Classification Act of 1923, as amended." The Commission, in accordance with established procedure, has been informed by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of the proposed report to your committee. By direction of the Commission. HARRY B. MITCHELL, President. Hon. CHARLES A. WOLVERTON, UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Chairman, Committee in Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, DEAR MR. WOLVERTON: This has reference to your communication of January 22, 1948, transmitting a copy of H. R. 5087, and requesting that the commission rnish a report in triplicate covering its reaction to this proposed legislation. Iitial acknowledgment by the Commission of your letter was dated January 27. The legislation referred to provides for setting up within the Public Health Service (presumably the United States Public Health Service of the Federal Security Agency, although this is not made clear in the present wording of the bill) an organization to be known as the National Heart Institute. The Institute is to be empowered to gather from appropriate sources all available information relating to the cause, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the heart. Such is to include the actual conduct of experiments as well as cooperation with and fostering of similar activies being carried out by other instrumentalities. The various devices by which this is to be accomplished are recited in detail in the bill and will not be referred to individually in our comments. Information disseminated by the press, radio, current serious literature, and technical publications all bear out the unforunate prominence which cardiac and circulatory disturbances occupy as cripplers and killers of our population. As a corroboration of such statements, I know your committee will be interested in knowing that heart disease (and associated conditions) is by far the largest single cause for retirement under the disability provisions of the Civil Service Retirement Act which is administered by this Commission. The loss to the Government of the services of employees who retire prematurely for this reason together with the resultant drain on the retirement fund (a sizable portion of which is a direct contribution by the Government) is certainly a cause for concern, In view of these facts, it is considered most fitting that the Congress take cognizance of the seriousness of the problem and enact legislation which will enable it to be dealt with on a concerted national scale. It is believed that the United States Public Health Service is preeminently fitted, both with respect to its professional components and the purposes for which it was established and has been expanded, to be entrusted with the responsibility of inaugurating this program and then making certain that it is effectively continued to the extent permitted by modern skills and available resourecs. It is true that many universities, hospitals, and foundations of various types have been conducting laudable and productive activities along parallel lines; however, it is believed that the material assistance and integra |