Show raising the maine and crestobal colon new york dec 20 A special to tho tribune from washington says secretary long will eoon issue advertisements verti calling for proposals tor raising the maine and the christobal Chrls tobal colon in accordance with the decision at the board of construction to which the matter had been referred the loard has under consideration several propositions from engineers and wrecking companies presenting feasible schemes for raising the vessels and delivering them to the new york or the norfolk navy yards without involving the government in any expense unless their efforts were successful it was however impossible to make any selection from the proposals and in view of the tact that so many of the contractors of apparent trustworthiness were willing to put their confidence to the test in attempting to raise the vessels and running the risk of failure the members of the board agreed that it would be advisable to have an open competition and award the work to the bidder who would be willing to accept the most reasonable compensation other things being equal in the advertisement suggested by the board bidders will be informed that they must furnish to the navy department satisfactory bonds in such amount that the government will be fully protected against loss through incompetency or carelessness |