Relationship of Rail and Water Carriers

In times like the present, when an impoverished world is practicing rigid economy as never before, it is to be expected that trade between nations will flow along paths of least resistance and, hence, through those gateways which, other things being equal, exact the least tribute in tolls and time from the rail and water carriers which meet there for purposes of interchange. This admitted, can it be denied that American engineers owe it to their countrymen to exert every force at their command to point out in what respect the principal ports of the United States are lacking and how they may be bettered? It would seem that the first move in this direction should be the bringing together of the transportation interests on land and sea, with a view to perfecting theirrelated facilities in a manner that will best serve their common good.