Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-23
{ ROOSEVELT AND
 SEA LEVEL CANAL HE WOULD PRoBABLYvETo SUCH
 A MEASURE. Nearly $7O.0O0.0OO Already Spent on the Canal and Not Enough
 Work Done to Make a
 Decent Showing.
Especial to Evening Democrat.)

Especial to Evening Democrat)
 Washington, DC, May 23.-Would President Roosevelt veto sea level canal if congress provides one?
 There is strong ground for the opinion that he would do so. He has committed himself to lock canal in the most positive terms, after having spent months in Investigating the merits of each type. He appointed a commission, consisting of the most famous engineers of this country and Europe. Those from Europe join in recommending a sea level waterway; those from this country lock canal. The president staked his judgment upon the findings of the American engineers, and he is strenuous in ad- vocacy of the lock method.
 The senate committee on inter- oceanic canals, after hearings last ing over four or five months, during which engineers from every direc- tion gave their opinions and views, has reported by majority of one in favor of a sea level canal. The fight will be a big one in senate and house. The senate has not so far proven friendly to many of the projects rec commended by the president. Whether 1t will agree with him on this re- mains to be seen. Even if it votes in favor of sea level ditch the chances are overwhelming that the house will refuse to join and will stand for the local canal type. The prospects would then be favorable to no action of any kind at this session, and the whole canal would have to stand still an- other session, or the president would have to go ahead upon his own re- sponsibility. The situation is one full of disagreeable possibilities.
 The facts are that close to S70,- 000,000 have been spent so far on the canal and hardly spade full of earth has been taken out. Of the total ex- pended $40,000,000 went to the French company for the canal, and $10,00,000 went to the republic of Panama for concessions. The other $20,000,000 has gone in prepara- tions, in getting together an organi- zation.
 All the preparations have been made with the view of lock canal. All the drawings, the plans, the pur- chases of machinery and supplies, have in mind lock canal. The senate promises to spoil all this and order a sea level canal
 Quite naturally opinion is tremen- dously divided. The senate committee has taken its position after as thor ough investigation as made by the president. The committee takes the ground that while a sea level canal would take longest to construct and cost the most money it would be the cheapest and best in the long run and require less of force to operate and to care for. The statement is made. that in the event of earth quakes. such as that which struck San Francisco. a lock canal would be practically wrecked, while the sea level type would stand little chance of serious harm.
 Representative Mann of Illinois, talking to-day to your correspondent, said: "As I understand 1t the presi- dent will go right ahead with lock canal if congress takes no action to the contrary. He can do this under the Spooner act which acquired the canal. My own opinion. after study ing the canal question on the spot and in the committee of which I am a member. is that sea level canal could not be finished within the life time of any member now 40 years of age. It will take long enough un- der the lock system. The estimate is that a lock canal will cost s1S0,000.- 900. including the amount expended. It will go beyond $200. 0.o0o before it is over with. A sea level canal will cost $500. 900. 900 or more.
 ''I do not believe the house will consent to a sea level canal. It agrees with the president in wanting the canal built as soon as possible"