Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-30
HE WILL STAND PAT"
President Roossvelps Isthmian Canal !. Instructions Must be Carried Out
Especial to Democrat. }

lOpcCldi U DemOCTdL.)
 Washington, May 30.-President Roosevelt, as heretofore stated, will stand pat on his recommendation regarding the construction of the Isthmian canal. He has no present intention to insist further upon his suggestion that lock canal be con structed, being convinced that legis- lation in opposition to his recom- mendation in favor of lock canal is not at all likely at the present session. & It is nearly certainty that con- gress will not take any action at this session regarding the type of the Panama canal The majority of the senate committee on Inter-oceanic canals has submitted report in favor of the construction of sea- level waterway. The majority of the committee was induced to take this action by reason of the San Francis co earthquake. It was feared that, if a lock canal were constructed, it might, at. some time, be seriously damaged and perhaps ruined by seismic disturbance. The committee considered the subject very careful ly, taking into consideration the recommendation of President Roose- welt and the American members of the engineer commission, which ex- haustively investigated the subject: but, in the light of the calamity at San Francisco, which occurred sub sequent to the presidents recom- mendation, majority of the com mittee felt that, in all respects, it would be desirable to construct a sea-leyel canal.
 The minority of the committee canal. The members of the minority are decidedly of the opinion that no disturbance of the kind which wreck ed San Francisco would be at all likely to affect the canal locks. in- asmuch as they will have founda- tion of solid rock. Those founda tions, 1t is known, have not been dis turbed in centuries by seismic con vulsions and the advocates of the lock canal regard 1t is extremely i'm probable that any earthquake that may occur will effect seriously the canal construction. The fact is cited that. while earthquakes occur fre- quently in Central America. they never have disturbed the canal zone. It is urged, too, by the advocates of the lock type of canal, that the woral of construction can be done in years less time than the sea-level canal can be built. Secretary Taft. who has T. rt. .xF he question. Is convinced that. If lock canal be constructed. it can be com pleted and in operation by July list. 1914. The cost, too. of lock canal will be appreciably less than that of a sea-level waterway.
 It has been suggested that the president may send to the congress. before the conclusion of the present session, a special message in support of his recommendation of lock canal. There is no probability that such a special message will be sub mitted. He will stand squarely on his previous message in which he recommended the construction of a lock canal.
 It is reasonably certain that con- gress will not adopt the sea-level canal idea at the present session. lf the subject be precipitated In congress it certainly will bring on debate that practically would be intermin- able. In the opinion of the best in- formed members of the two branch es of congress no action. at all. will he taken at the session Unless definite action. one way or the other. should be taken by congress. the president will proceed with the con struction of the canal under the Spooner act. If. a, some future time. congress should determine by legis- lation the type of the canal. the president will be governed by that action. Just at this time, however. 1t is not regarded. either by the ex- ecufive or by congress. as necessary that the type of the canal should be determined immediately. The work can be carried on for many months or even a year. yet. without loss to the government. even though it be not known definitely whether a lock