Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-14
NEGLIGENCE CHARGED
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY RE-
sPoNsIBLE FOR MANS DEATH.

After a lengthy elaboration the coroners
jury investigating the death of Walter
Minis reached the conclusion that the acct
dent was the result of lack Of proper pre-
caution on the part of the construction COM
pany in the erection and placing of the der
rick at the place where 1t came in contact
with the live wire.
George Davis, who received an electric
shock Wednesday afternoon at the time
Walter Minis met his death, was an import
ant witness at the inquest held at the
morgue this morning over the body Of
Minis. The accident as stated in yester-
days Star occurred on the site of the House
of Representatives office building just south
of the Capitol grounds. Minis was employ ed
there as an engineer In charge Of hoisting
engine that was operated for the construc-
ton company. The night before Minis lost
his life the derrick and engine were moved
10 point near the wires of the Potomac
Electric Power Co, and the engineer. 1t was
testified, was told by the foreman that he
would have to be careful in lowering the
boom In the evening as the cables connect
ed with 1t might come In contact with the
live wires. There were two wires strung
across the square, and Minis II Is
thought, was of the opinion that the boom
was out of the way of the wires when he
lowered It, but had made mistake in his
calculation The boom passed under one
wire. but the cables touched the second
wire. which was a few inches below the
other.
The foreman told me to look out" said
the witness Davis to the jury. land after
ward when l looked around l saw Minis
have hold of the door and saw he was
shocked. Then | caught him by the hand
and the electricity drew me double and
threw me about ten feet"
ID. G. LOOMS, foreman on the works tes-
uned that Minis received two shocks-one
wren he had hold of the lever of his en-
glne ana the second when he opened the
door OF the boiler. Minis he said. did not
say anything to him when he received the
hrst shock, but he could tell he received it
from the manner in which he saw him
Jump. The foreman said he told Minis in
the morning that he would have to be care
!ui when he lowered the boom
Was Close Of Day.
Gregory Randolph. colored, assistant fore
man. testified that 1t was quitting time
Wednesday afternoon when he called 10
the engineer to lower the boom, and Minis
started his engine. Witness saw that the
boom was about to touch the wires and
n c called to the engineer to warn him OF
the danger
''The shoe block touched the wire" the
witness stated, and Walter got a shock
through the lever"
Witness said he saw Minis step aside and
nc (witness) turned in another direction.
When he turned again he saw the dead
body of the engineer lying upon the ground.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook told of hav-
Ing performed an autopsy upon the body,
and DIR. Montgomery of Providence Hos
p'tal said life was extinct when the victim
reached there.
Mr. j. B. Lackey, secretary of the Poto-
mac Electric Power Company, explained
the position of the wires and said they
carried a voltage of 24OO. With such a
voltage, he said, the theory Is that the cleo
trio current can jump the insulation when
near iron. He explained that the work
was done in accordance with the terms of
the permit which had to be approved by
the proper officials. In this connection
Coroner hewitt said he had been informed
by the superintendent of the electrical de-
partment of the District that the work of
stringing the wires had been properly and
legally performed