The San Francisco call., 1906-11-03

span wires had become grounded; In
sulation had become defective. At
times Couey said the company required
the men to work alone on job, but
the men preferred to have assistance.
On cross examination by Stanley
Moore the witness admitted that the
setting of poles to be used for cleo
tric light or telephone wires is more
difficult task and one requiring more
skill than similar work done for a
trolley wire.
DANGER IN LIGHTING WORK.
Couey compared the hazard of elec-
trio work, saying that light and power
work was extremely dangerous. Work
on telephone wires was hazardous, ow-
ing to the proximity of those wires
to electric light wires. Shooting trou-
ble' on telephone work was particu-
larly dangerous. In speaking of danger
IN trolley work Couey told of an acci-
dent on West Mission street In which
he rescued two men from injury.
Under questioning by Moore the
lineman told that he had left the en-
ploy of the United Railroads owing to
trouble which came about in connection
with the breaking in as an apprentice
or platform man who wished to learn
the lineman's business. The apprentice
wanted to work on the platform wagon
with Couey, but the latter, as a Jour-
neyman, objected to the sudden eleva-
tion of the apprentice and made him
stay on the ground. The apprentice
left the job and so did Couey.
Moore reverted to Couey's statement
that the wires in use south of Market
were old, asking the witness If he did
NOT know that the only old wires were
on Mission street beyond Fifth Couey
ala not o1fer to contradict the attorney.
GUARD WIRES USED.
On redirect examination Albert John
son questioned Couey on the use of
the guard wire in other cities. Couey
could give expert testimony on trolley
systems in cities stretching from New
Orleans, through Galveston, Tex. to
Denver and Salt Lake City, where
guard wires were strung with the troll
ley wires. Couey said that the salt
air of San Francisco caused the wires
TO corrode and made them dangerous
The witness concluded his testimony
with a brief commentary on the DIFF
ficulty Of riding on the tower wagons
used by the United Railroads, espe-
cially when they we're driven by inex-
perienced teamsters. Father Yorke
then closed the morning session by ask
ing two pertinent questions, which
summed up the Couey evidence.
Telephone and street railroad men
do not expect the danger which sur
rounds electric light linemen?" asked
the priest.
No" answered Couey.
DO linemen have to have great theo-
retical knowledge?"
NO"
In the afternoon, after the coIloquy
over the Troy matter had subsided
George Heyne, Hneman formerly in
the employ of the United Railroads,
was put on the stand. His testimony
was of technical nature, dealing with
the>work of linemen and electrical con-
struction. He characterized work with
the United Railroads as more danger
Gus and harder than corresponding
work In other cities. He said that
after the fire the company fed its own
men, but fed them poorly.
NOT FROM RELIEF FUND.
Johnson intimated that the refresh
ments furnished by the company were
secured from the relief supplies, fact
which A. A. Moore denied.
Before adjournment was taken H. L.
fly regarding corporations which have
sened the hours of work. The Pacific
States Telephone Company and the
Oakland Traction Consolidated were
among the number.
Owing to business reasons and Tues
day being election day adjournment
was taken until Wednesday morning
The board will meet at that time at
321 Devisadero street