FOREIGN TRADE ZONES 
local commercial, financial, and shipping interests. But in practically 
all cases the regulations and charges are prescribed or approved by 
competent authority. In some ports the operating agency is a 
“Consortium” or commission consisting of representatives of the 
State or municipality, while in still others the central government 
exercises control either through a local commissioner or board. The 
following information relative to the administration of the free ports 
of Europe will make apparent the purpose of the European Govern- 
ments to make the free port attractive to commerce and shipping. 
Copenhagen. —The general regulations governing operations in the 
free port are set forth in the “Rules for the administration of the 
free port,” promulgated by the Ministry for Public Works under 
date of October 19, 1894. The Copenhagen Free Port Co. exercises 
the powers granted under its charter through a board of directors, 
consisting of seven members, two of whom are appointed by the 
Government in authority with regard to harbor matters, two by the 
Copenhagen Harbor Board from among it own members, and the 
remainder elected by the general meeting of the shareholders, share- 
holding in the company being a necessary qualification. The opera- 
tions are directed by a general manager assisted by a chief engineer. 
The sanction of the Minister for Public Works must be obtained for 
the appointment of the managing director. All leases entered upon 
between the company and private persons or firms with regard to 
the erection of buildings for industrial purposes on the territory of 
the free port, and all rules and regulations regarding the management 
of the free port, or any departure from the fixed rules and regulations 
must be sanctioned by the Ministry for Public Works. The Ministry 
for Public Works fixes the rates charged by the Free Port Co., includ- 
ing those for electricity for light and power supplied by the company 
to leaseholders within the free port, which rates can not be departed 
from without the consent of the ministry in question. In compiling 
statistics of traffic of the free port, the company has to comply with 
the regulations laid down by the Ministry for Public Works. The 
customs authorities exercise control over the exits from and entrances 
to the free port, both by land and water, but in no way interfere with 
the loading or discharging, repacking, or transshipment of goods 
inside the confines of the free port. 
Stockholm.—The free port was constructed by the city of Stockholm. 
The port is not operated by the city, but is leased to a municipal 
corporation, the Stockholms Frihamns A/B, of which the city of 
Stockholm owns the entire capital stock. It is a limited company 
consisting exclusively of merchants and leading shipowners resident 
at Stockholm. By means of this form of administration, a purely 
municipal working organization has been avoided. The traffic and 
storing of goods are regulated according to instructions contained in 
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