The year of Dunkirk witnessed a number of Congressional authorizations to the Executive to acquire and either directly utilize, or pass on to private enterprise, material of war, or productive equipment and facilities. In mid-1940 the President was given power to authorize the Secretary of War to manufacture in factories and arsenals under his jurisdiction, or otherwise procure, coast-defense and anti-aircraft material, including ammunition therefor, on behalf of any American Republic. He might also establish repair facilities for such equipment.[293] This was shortly extended to manufacturing for the government of any country whose defense the President deemed vital to the defense of the United States.[294] Later in 1940 he was authorized to requisition and take over for use of the United States any military or naval equipment or munitions which had been ordered for export, but which then could no longer be exported. Certain items of a military nature could not, for example, be sent to France once the Germans had occupied that country. The President could dispose of such material to a private corporation or individual if such action was deemed to be in the public interest.[295] The June 30, 1942 termination date was moved forward to June 30, 1944, and the President’s power enlarged to requisition in the interest of national defense or prosecution of war in July 1942.[296] In June 1940 the Secretary of the Navy was authorized to provide necessary construction facilities or manufacturing plants on federal land or elsewhere, and to man them with federal employees or otherwise whenever he found it impossible to make contracts or to secure facilities for procurement or construction of items authorized in connection with national defense.[297] By October 1941 this authority had grown to a general authorization to the President, that if he found that the use of any military or naval equipment, supplies, or munitions, or machinery, tools, or materials necessary for the manufacture, servicing and operation of such equipment, were needed for the defense of the United States the President could requisition such property. Only two conditions prevailed: first, that the need was immediate and impending, and second, that just compensation was paid to the owners. The original expiration date of June 30, 1943 was later changed to June 30, 1944.[298] But long before the Second World War, Congress gave the President authority to requisition merchant vessels. In Section 902 (a) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 the government reserved the right to requisition any vessel documented under the laws of the United States, during any national emergency declared by proclamation of the President.[299] In authorizing the President to utilize the power of eminent domain to acquire land needed for pipe-line construction by private firms, Congress provided that in the event it was impracticable for any private person promptly and