The Need for a Department of Science

Abstract

The Senate Committee on Government Opera tions, in which Senator Humphrey has taken an active role, has concerned itself with the need for a science department in the government. A Department of Science and Technology they have found would be a very necessary and essential ad junct to our governmental system. Its main purpose would be the co-ordination and centralization of the now dispersed fed eral scientific activities. The new Department would promote the clear-cut responsibility and authority in government science needed for the enhancement of our national security. Yet the reorganization of the existing science units contained in various departments and agencies of the government, has met strenuous opposition from sources in the Administration. In addition to the proposed bill providing for the creation of the Department of Science and Technology, the Senate Committee has initiated another bill now before Congress which provides for a Com mission to study the various problems connected with the crea tion of such a science department.—Ed.