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Show 107 to be expended for acquirement of dredges be expended for their purchase from private contractors when they can be manufactured at lesser cost at any navy yard or other Gov- ernment-owned factory.181 On the other hand, certain laws have been so framed as to allow some discretion in the use of funds to undertake speci- fied types of work, constituting project authorizations. These we have already mentioned in the foregoing discussion of "Authorization of Projects."182 Also important in connection with funds is an 1899 statute requiring that the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers specify any deterioration occurring in connection with works of river and harbor improvements, together with an estimate of the cost of rebuilding, repairing, or removing them, including also recommendations for "the discontinuance of appropria- tions for any river and harbor work" deemed "unworthy of further improvement."188 Prosecution of Projects.-Any project may be prosecuted "by direct appropriations, by continuing contracts, or by both."18* Excepting surveys, estimates, and gaugings, Con- gress has provided that navigation improvements may be prose- cuted "by contract or otherwise, as may be most economical and advantageous to the Government."185 This authorization expressly extends to works authorized to be prosecuted or com- pleted under contract; and in cases providing for construction or use of government dredging plant, the Secretary has discre- tion to contract for the work "if reasonable prices can be obtained."186 Where works are done by contract, however, such contract must be made after "sufficient public advertise- ment for proposals" and "with the lowest responsible bidders," the Secretary having discretion to specify the manner and form 181 Act of September 22, 1922, § 5, 42 Stat. 1038, 1042, 33 U. S. C. 630. M See supra, pp. 100-105. 188 Act of March 3,1899, § 7, 30 Stat. 1121, 1150, 33 U. S. O. 549 . 184 Act of September 22,1922, § 10,42 Stat. 1038,1043, 33 U. S. O. 621. 185 Act of August 11,1888, § 3, 25 Stat. 400, 423, as amended, 33 U. S. C. 622. 186 Id. |