LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL 
War DEPARTMENT, 
Tue Boarp oF ENGINEERS For Rivers AND Harbors, 
Washington, D. C., December 8, 1928. 
Subject: Foreign trade zones or free ports. 
To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 
I. There is transmitted herewith report on the subject of ‘For- 
eign Trade Zones or Free Ports” prepared under authority of section 
500 of the transportation act of 1920 and section 8 of the merchant 
marine act, 1920, by the joint forces of this office and the Bureau 
of Operations, United States Shipping Board, under the supervision 
of Mr. A. H. Ritter, who is in immediate charge of the cooperative 
work. 
2. Information regarding the principal free ports of the world and 
their influence upon the commerce, industry, and shipping of the 
countries to which they pertain has not heretofore been available in 
such form that the experiences of these countries could be analyzed 
in connection with the consideration of the general subject of estab- 
lishing free ports or foreign trade zones in the United States. 
3. On account of the interest now being manifested in this subject, 
and especially because of its bearing upon the matters entrusted to 
this department and the Shipping Board under the terms of the acts 
mentioned above and other acts of Congress, it is believed that the 
report should be printed. It is recommended that it be forwarded 
to the Shipping Board to be published as Miscellaneous Series No. 3. 
For the board: 
Dawn I. Surran, 
Magor, Corps of Engineers, 
Resident Member of the Board. 
[First indorsement] 
Orrice oF THE CHicFr oF ENGINEERS, 
December 8, 1928. 
To the Boarp or EncINEERS ror RivErs anp Harsogs, 
Washington. D. C. 
Approved. 
Epcar Japwin, 
Magor General, Chief of Engineers.