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Show 108 of advertisements, securities to accompany bids, and conditions for faithful prosecution and completion of the work.187 Reference has already been made to the statutory prohibition against use of funds to pay for private contract work where the contract price is more than 25% in excess of the estimated cost of doing the work by government plant,188 to the prohibition against expenditure for dredging inside of harbor lines,189 and to the limitation on the expenditure for purchase of dredges.190 In addition, a 1907 statute gives the Secretary discretionary authority to hire dredging plant in the manner then custom- ary,191 or on the basis of an equitable reimbursement for de- terioration of plant when in use by the Government and a rea- sonable percentage of the total cost of the work.192 A number of specific requirements have also been prescribed in connection with the acquisition of land and materials. For example, in addition to authority to condemn, the Secretary is expressly empowered to purchase at an owner-fixed price which he deems reasonable, and to accept donations of lands or ma- terials.193 In certain circumstances, immediate possession of the property may be taken upon initiation of condemnation proceedings.194 Furthermore, where private property is taken in connection with navigation improvements, and in condemnation proceed- ings to acquire lands or easements where a part only of a parcel, 187 § 3,25 Stat. 423, 33 U. S. 0. 623. 188 See supra, p. 106. 189 See supra, p. 106. "• See supra, pp. 106-107. 191 The manner "customary" at that time may refer to an hourly contract rate. See, e. g., Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, p. 2009 (1907). 192 Act of March 2, 1907, § 5, 34 Stat. 1073, 1119, 33 U. S. O. 629. "•Act of April 24, 1888, 25 Stat. 94, 33 U. S. C, 591. In specified circum- stances, the Secretary of the Army may initiate condemnation proceedings in aid of a "person, company, or corporation, municipal or private" desiring to convey lands to the United States for an authorized project. Act of May 16,1906, 34 Stat. 196, as amended, 33 U. S. C. 592. So also in aid of a "State, or any reclamation, flood control or drainage district, or other public agency created by any State." Act of August 8,1917, § 9,40 Stat. 250, 267, 33 U. S. C. 593. 1M Act of July 18,1918, § 5,40 Stat. 904, 911, 33 U. S. C. 594. |
