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Show 84 systems during the first World War, Congress enacted the Fed- eral Control Act, enabling federal acquisition of boats, barges, tugs, and other transportation facilities and operation of a barge line on the Mississippi and Warrior Rivers.62 In 1920, operation of the barge line was transferred to the Secretary of the Army.63 This statute declared the policy of Congress: M to promote, encourage, and develop water transporta- tion, service, and facilities in connection with the com- merce of the United States, and to foster and preserve in full vigor both rail and water transportation. With the express object of promoting, encouraging, and de- veloping inland waterway transportation facilities, Congress made it the duty of the Secretary of the Army, from whom it was transferred in 1939 to the Secretary of Commerce:65 to investigate the appropriate types of boats suitable for different classes of such waterways; to investigate the subject of water terminals, both for inland water- way traffic and for through traffic by water and rail, including the necessary docks, warehouses, apparatus, equipment, and appliances in connection therewith, and also railroad spurs, and switches connecting with such terminals, with a view to devising the types most appropriate for different locations, and for the more ex- peditious and economical transfer or interchange of passengers or property between carriers by water and carriers by rail; to advise with communities, cities, and towns regarding the appropriate location of such termi- nals, and to cooperate with them in the preparation of plans for suitable terminal facilities; to investigate the existing status of water transportation upon the differ- ent inland waterways of the country, with a view to determining whether such waterways are being utilized • Act of March 21,1918, § 6,40 Stat. 451, 454. * Act of February 28, 1920, §201 (a), 41 Stat. 456, 458, see 49 U. S. C. 141-142, and notes following. M § 500, 41 Stat. 499, as amended, 49 U. S. 0.142. " Id. and see 49 U. S. C. 142 note following. |