IV. SALIENT QUESTIONS A. What political decisions would be warranted in the immediate future, and in what sequence, to maximize progress toward an ideal national materials posture in the year 2000? B. What irreversible decisions are being made now, by default, that may obstruct future progress toward an ideal "steady state"? C. What organizational and administrative arrangements will be required to facilitate orderly progress in materials posture 1. As to programs of applied research, technological development, and pilot plant tests and demonstrations? 2. As to the design of projects involving Federal-State-local cooperation? 3. As to future materials supply/requirements balance under changing world political conditions, and domestic technological conditions? D. What research needs can be identified now that call for research of a long-range nature to meet technological requirements of the year 2000? E. What data systems could be implemented now, and then progressively refined in procedures and enlarged in scope over the years ahead, to achieve materials posture goals of the year 2000? 1. A national mineral resources inventory? 2. A materials input-output balance sheet? 3. A technological impact forecasting system? F. Should studies of the economic value of various specific quantitative reductions in specific environmental impairments resulting from "materials out of place" be initiated now, to provide economic justification for funding corrective actions? G. Should economic motivations be devised and applied now to encourage efforts by private industry 1. To design hardware and containers for optimal salvage, or disposability? 2. To devise systems for experimental application in selected communities, explicitly designed to apply electric power freely in the processing of waste materials? H. Is the concept of multiple benefits fully exploited in present materials-oriented programs sponsored or conducted by the Federal Government to preserve or restore the environment? PREPARED FOR THE USE OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS BY AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ORIGINATED BY THE AT THE REQUEST OF HON. J. CALEB BOGGS APRIL 1969 Printed for the use of the Committee on Public Works U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1969 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia, Chairman STEPHEN M. YOUNG, Ohio B. EVERETT JORDAN, North Carolina JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, New Mexico JOHN SHERMAN COOPER, Kentucky RICHARD B. ROYCE, Chief Clerk and Staff Director J. B. HUYETT, Jr. Assistant Chief Clerk, and Assistant Staff Director BAILEY GUARD, Assistant Chief Clerk (Minority) TOM C. JORLING, Minority Counsel JOSEPH F. VAN VLADRICKEN, LEON G. BILLINGS, RICHARD D. GRUNDY, STEWART E. MCCLURE, AND WM. E. SMALL, Jr., Professional Staff Members (II) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Hon. J. CALEB BOGGS, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE, Washington, D.C., April 21, 1969. DEAR SENATOR BOGGS: Pursuant to your letter of 16 September 1968, addressed to Dr. Franklin P. Huddle of my staff, the attached report on a commission on national material policy has been developed by a group of professional people with qualifications pertinent to this matter. Dr. Huddle served as secretary and rapporteur to this group. Other contributions of the Science Policy Research Division, Legislative Reference Service, were in the form of appendices and technical studies to provide factural background to the report. The report is the responsibility of its signatories, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Legislative Reference Service. It is my hope that it meets your requirements, and that the function of the Service in assisting in its preparation will prove to have been a constructive one. Sincerely, (III) LESTER S. JAYSON, Director. PREFACE During autumn, 1968, at the request of Hon. J. Caleb Boggs, U.S. Senate, the Legislative Reference Service of the Library of Congress arranged to gather from a number of qualified observers an expression of opinion as to the need for a review of national policy concerning the supply, use, and disposal of materials. A number of persons with special qualifications, including representatives from the professional materials community, were invited to participate in a series of discussions of the subject. This report contains the findings of these observers. It was understood that the contributors to the discussions were acting in the capacity of informed individuals, and not as representatives of any particular institution or organization. However, to indicate their qualifications, the participants are identified by title and affiliation is an appendix to this report. (See app. A.) As various topics were explored in the group discussions, there emerged a consensus, and the statement that follows in an expression of that consensus. In general, it was the unanimous view of the undersigned that (a) progress toward national goals of the United States requires renewed attention to materials goals and programs, (b) that the Nation should be equipped on a continuing basis to achieve coherence and coordination of materials goals and programs, and (c) that a national commission on materials policy should be organized to advise on suitable and adequate measure with reference to (a) and (b). It is recognized that recommendations are being made to the executive branch of Government for the establishment of a cabinet-level council to deal with minerals policies. However, as an adjunct to that operation, and in anticipation of possible moves that may be made to provide for additional coordination, a commission appears to give the most reasonable chance for rapidly bringing into focus issues in materials policies on a timely basis which could then be given continuing consideration by some more permanent institution of Government. |