The Chief of Engineers, United States Army, shall indicate in his
annual reports the character of the terminal and transfer
facilities existing on every harbor or waterway under maintenance
or improvement by the United States, and state whether they are
considered adequate for existing commerce. He shall also submit one
or more special reports on this subject, as soon as possible after
January 18, 1918, including, among other things, the following:
(a) A brief description of such water terminals, including
location and the suitability of such terminals to the existing
traffic conditions, and whether such terminals are publicly or
privately owned, and the terms and conditions under which they may
be subjected to public use.
(b) Whether such water terminals are connected by a belt or spur
line of railroad with all the railroads serving the same territory
or municipality, and whether such connecting railroad is owned by
the public and the conditions upon which the same may be used, and
also whether there is an interchange of traffic between the water
carriers and the railroad or railroads as to such traffic which is
carried partly by rail and partly by water to its destination, and
also whether improved and adequate highways have been constructed
connecting such water terminal with the other lines of highways.
(c) If no water terminals have been constructed by the
municipality or other existing public agency there shall be
included in his report an expression of opinion in general terms as
to the necessity, number, and appropriate location of such a
terminal or terminals.
(d) An investigation of the general subject of water terminals,
with descriptions and general plans of terminals of appropriate
types and construction for the harbors and waterways of the United
States suitable for various commercial purposes and adapted to the
varying conditions of tides, floods, and other physical
characteristics.
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