This Department does not have any direct knowledge of the present and expected problems of air commerce to which the creation of an Office of Civil Aviation Medicine must be related. Thus, we have no opinions on those portions of this bill concerned with the establishment and functioning of such an office. There are, however, two matters on which we would like to comment. First, based on our general experience in the direct conduct of medical research and in supporting such research through grants, we believe that there is a need for further specialized research in this field. Overall knowledge of the interaction of the human mind and body with complex machines moving at high rates of speed in intricate and rapidly changing circumstances is limited. This is certainly so with respect to the problems of motor-vehicle traffic and automobile accidents-an older field in which we have more experience. Basic knowledge of the medical aspects of air commerce and safety can therefore be assumed to be less nearly adequate. While the medical research now in progress in governmental and other laboratories will make valuable contributions to the body of knowledge in this area, and we are therefore pleased to note the provisions in the bill for interdepartmental work and collaboration, a specialized center of research in this field seems desirable for the more effective conduct of the direct operating functions. Second, the new section 1410 (b) (proposed to be added to the Civil Aeronautics Act) contains a saving clause to preserve the quarantine and inspectional authority of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service. This is done by reference to specific sections of the Public Health Service Act, but apparently by inadvertence some of the pertinent sections have been omitted. It is therefore recommended that the proposed section 1410 (b) be amended to provide that nothing contained in the act shall affect any authority of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service under the Public Health Service Act, or any other provision of law. Subject to the above comment and suggestion, we defer to the views of the Secretary of Commerce on the merits of the bill. The Bureau of the Budget advises that it perceives no objection to the submission of this report to your committee. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request for the comments of the Department of Defense on S. 1045, 85th Congress, a bill to amend the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, by adding thereto new provisions relating to civil-aviation medicine. The Secretary of Defense has delegated to this Department the responsibility for expressing the views of the Department of Defense on this matter. The purpose of this proposed legislation is to establish in the Civil Aeronauties Administration the Office of Civil Aviation Medicine composed of (1) a Civil Air Surgeon; (2) regional flight surgeons; and (3) a Civil Aeronautics Medical Research Laboratory. The Civil Air Surgeon would be authorized to promulgate (1) regulations concerning physical and mental standards and requirements for civil airmen; and (2) regulations concerning inspections of aircraft and components designed for use in air transportation, to meet human requirements in aircraft design and operation. An authorization for the appropriation of a sum not to exceed $2,500,000 is included for the establishment of a Civil Aeronautics Medical Research Laboratory. A 17-member Federal Advisory Council on Civil Aviation Medicine would be established, which would include representation from agencies of the Department of Defense. The field of aviation medicine occupies an important position in the research activities of the Department of Defense. The broad purpose of S. 1045, to improve safety in air commerce through the development and application of sound medical knowledge in civil aviation, coincides with the objectives of the Department of Defense in the field of military aviation. Cooperation between the Civil Aeronautics Administration and other appropriate public and private agen cies concerned with aeromedical matters should prove beneficial to both civil and military aviation. In order to clarify the definition of "civil aviation medicine," it is recommended that the word "civil” be inserted after the words "requirements in," in line 11, page 2; line 5, page 5; line 19, page 5; and line 13, page 6, of S. 1045. The new section 1402 (c) proposed by section 2 of the bill defines "Council" as the Council which would be established by proposed new "section 140" (line 17, page 2, of S. 1045). The reference to "section 1409" should be revised to read "section 1413." The Department of the Army has considerable experience in the use of light organic aircraft of both fixed and rotary-wing types, and could advise the Council on medical problems relating to such flying. Therefore, it is recommended that the word "seventeen" in line 10, page 9 of the bill, be changed to "eighteen", and the words "the Secretary of the Amy," be inserted after the word "Navy," in line 13, page 9 of S. 1045. Subject to the foregoing amendments the Department of Defense has no objection to S. 1045. However, this Department defers to the opinions of those agencies having the statutory responsibility in this area on the question of whether the stated purpose of the bill could be best accomplished in the manner set out therein. This report has been coordinated within the Department of Defense in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Defense. The Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely yours, DUDLEY C. SHARP, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, Washington, D. C., April 1, 1957. Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Further reference is made to your letter of February 12, 1957, which requested the comments of the General Services Administration on S. 1045, a bill to amend the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, by adding thereto new provisions relating to civil aviation medicine. S. 1045 provides for the creation of an Office of Civil Aviation Medicine within the framework of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. This bill requires the General Services Administration to acquire a site or sites, prepare plans, specifications, contracts, and supervise the construction of adequate buildings for the use of the Civil Aeronautics Medical Research Laboratory. The functions of this agency are not concerned with the establishment and organization of an Office of Civil Aviation Medicine in the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Under existing statutory authority, GSA could perform the duties set out in section 1416 of this bill relating to acquisition of sites and equipment, preparation of drawings and specifications, and supervision of construction to supply adequate buildings and facilities to be used in a laboratory as set out in the bill. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate for GSA to comment upon S. 1045. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the submission of this report to your committee. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Your letter of February 12, 1957, acknowledged February 13, requests any comments we may desire to offer concerning S. 1045. The purpose of the proposed legislation-namely, the improvement of safety in air commerce through the development and application of sound medical knowledge in civil aviation-appears a laudable one. However, we have neither factual information nor firsthand knowledge concerning the extent of the need for such legislation. In view thereof, and since we do not know whether legislation along the lines of S. 1045 would be the most effective means of accomplishing the purpose of the bill, we do not feel warranted in making any recommendation concerning its merits. However, we do wish to point out several features of the bill which warrant your committee's consideration: We assume that the Administrator of the Civil Aeronautics Administration will appoint the Civil Air Surgeon and the Deputy Civil Air Surgeon of the Office of Civil Aviation Medicine, but we do not feel that the bill is entirely clear as to whether it is contemplated that the Administrator shall make all other appointments-with the exception of consultants appointed under section 1414 and members of the Federal Advisory Council appointed under section 1413 (a)—which will be required by reason of its enactment. We consider that this point should be clarified in the bill. We also are of the view that consideration should be given to including a specific provision in the bill establishing the position of the Director, Civil Aeronautics Medical Research Laboratory, including his grade and salary. The provison in section 1413 (a), that no appointed member of the Federal Advisory Council on Civil Aviation Medicine shall be eligible for reappointment until a year has elapsed since the end of his preceding term, is apparently intended to prevent continuous reappointments to incumbents. If so, it should be noted that in emergencies necessitating new appointments prior to expiration of an incumbent's term a desirable reappointment of a former member to fill such vacancy might be prohibited by the present provision. Since vacancies in membership normally would not occur until 1 year after the date on which a former member's term expires, your committee may wish to consider the advisability of amending the present provision to provide that a member may not be reappointed to succeed himself. It also would seem desirable to fix the allowable travel expenses and subsistence, payable under section 1415 of the bill, to amounts prescribed in the Travel Expense Act of 1949, as amended, and the Standardized Government Travel Regulations. This would provide a yardstick for determining the propriety of payments under this section. Your attention is invited to the figures "1409" appearing in line 17, page 2, which should properly read "1413", and to the erroneous inclusion of the word "to" in line 4, page 15. Sincerely yours, FRANK H. WEITZEL, Assistant Comptroller General of the United States. CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, United States Senate, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: This is in further reply to your letter of February 12, 1957, acknowledged February 15, 1957, asking the Board for its comments on S. 1045, a bill to amend the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, by adding thereto new provisions relating to civil aviation medicine. The Board's views in regard to the proposed amendment to the Civil Aeronautics Act are set forth in a statement to be submitted to the committee on behalf of the Board by Mr. Oscar Bakke, Director of the Bureau of Safety, at the hearing scheduled for April 1, 1957. Copies of the statement are transmitted herewith. Sincerely yours, JAMES R. DURFEE, Chairman. AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, United States Capitol, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: We regret that we were unable to have a witness testify today on S. 1045, which would establish in the Civil Aeronautics Administration an Office of Civil Aviation Medicine and create a medical research institute thereunder. In February of this year our association, at the request of the Under Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Louis Rothschild, appointed an ad hoc committee of physicians with outstanding records in the field of aeronautical medicine to make a study and recommendations in the area needed to improve the organization and functions of civil aviation medicine. This committee met with Deputy Civil Aeronautics Administrator William B. Davis and some of his technical people to define the problem more accurately. At present our association is reviewing material in this field and until its completion is not in a position to support, oppose, or recommend modifications in the bill being considered by your committee. For that reason it is hoped you will find it appropriate to defer action for the present so that we can be of service in advising your committee of the results of the study and the recommendations resulting therefrom. Attached is a list of the special American Medical Association committee. THOMAS H. ALPHIN, M. D. MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CIVILIAN AVIATION MEDICAL PROBLEMS Dr. Jan Tillisch, chairman, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. L. O. Simenstad, Osceola, Wis. Dr. G. J. Didera, medical director of the United Airlines, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Ludwig G. Lederer, medical director of Capital Airlines, Washington, D. C.; chairman of Air Transport Association medical committee Dr. William Ashe, professor of preventive medicine, Ohio State University Dr. Langdon Newman (captain, (MC) USN), Director of Aviation Medicine, Dr. William J. Kennard (brigadier general, USAF (MC) (retired)), assistant director, AMA Washington office, Washington, D. C. Dr. Thomas H. Alphin, director, AMA Washington office, Washington, D. C. Hon. A. S. MIKE MONRONEY, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. VA., April 4, 1957. Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Capitol Building, Washington, D. C.: Regret inability to testify before your committee because of previous commitment to attend medical conference in South. I endorse enthusiastically bill S. 1045 as a major contribution to the future of civilian aviation medicine and safety. First, because the program outlined in the bill will bring many needed improvements in the quality and scope of civilian aeromedical preventive medicine. Second, the problems differ from those in the military services and should have specialized consideration and study. Third, the human factors involved in the design and operation of jet transports and private aircraft require advance analysis and experimentation as proposed in the research facilities section of the bill. Proximity of such a laboratory to a major civilian air center is imperative with access to air crews, passengers, and educational institutions. Fourth, there is urgent need for well-trained personnel in aviation medicine and in human engineering. Fellowships and grants-in-aid are a basic necessity to accomplish these objectives. Finally, this bill, S. 1045, offers great encouragement and promise to those of us who have devoted many years of research, study, and hard work to the advancement of civil aviation. Will be pleased to meet with your committee or provide further information if you so desire. Prof. Ross A. MCFARLAND, Harvard School of Public Health. BALTIMORE, MD. Hon. JOHN MARSHALL BUTLER, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, DEAR SENATOR BUTLER: On behalf of the members of the Maryland Optometric Association we are asking you to give favorable consideration optometry amendments to S. 1045. Optometry has presented numerous amendments, but they involve only the principle that the responsibility for certifying to the physical fitness of aviation personnel and the formation of regulations pertaining thereto should not be the sole responsibility of medicine but that the services of optometry should be made available as well. Optometry's sole interest is in vision and the importance of vision in air transport cannot be overemphasized. We ask you to include optometric amendments in the bill when it is reported out of committee. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: I am sending you my comments on S. 1045, a bill to amend the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, by adding thereto new provisions relating to civil aviation medicine. This is a bill designed to improve safety in air commerce through the development and application of sound medical knowledge in civil aviation. This would be accomplished by the provisions of the bill which would: 1. Make aviation medicine a major program responsibility of the Civil Aeronautics Administration of this department; 2. Transfer from the Civil Aeronautics Board to this department the authority to issue air safety regulations in this field; 3. Explicitly assign program responsibility for research, investigations, education, and training in civil aviation medicine; 4. Authorize an appropriation for the erection and equipment of suitable and adequate research buildings and facilities; 5. Provide for issuing grants-in-aid for aviation medicine, and acceptance of unconditional gifts in support of medical program equipment; 6. Direct the establishment of a Federal advisory council on civil aviation medicine; 7. Authorize the establishment of special consultants to assist and advise in the operation of the medical program. We favor all of these major objectives. It is believed at the present time with the growth of commercial aviation, aviation medicine has become a major governmental program responsibility. With the advent of the high-performance aircraft with turbojet and jet power, it makes it mandatory that the air crew be not only selected but maintained at the highest point of physical efficiency. The importance of aviation medicine in our national medical structure has been recognized by the American Medical Association designating aviation medicine as a specialty. It is believed that the specific principles involved in the specification of physical standards for civil airmen and the evaluation of questionable or unacceptable medical conditions properly belong and must be exercised by physicians |