Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-09
State HOUSE
Public Utilities Commission Re-
ports on Fatal Accidents, In
Guiding Case of Robert Boyd
of Augusta
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
SEPT. 20

has recently issued decisions upon
four fatal accidents, among them the
accident resulting in the death Of
Robert Boyd of Augusta. In this de-
cision the commission advices electric
power companies to add more safe
guards against the high tension line
menace TO athletic youths who are in
vited to climb by an opportunity to
40 so. The decision reads:
Robert Boyd, aged IS, of Augusta.
Me, came in contact with 10000 volt
electric wire of the Central Maine
Power Co. at Manchester. Me, July
20, 1915, receiving a shock which
caused his death. This wire was one
Of three carried a height of about
80 feet on three steel poles placed in
a triangular position near the high
way. The poles have metal bands
around them. which form an excel
lent ladder from the ground up.
Young Boyd at play had climbed this
ladder to the double cross arms which
supported the first two wires. where
he stopped. The third wire is attached
TO the top of the poles a few feet
higher. 1t is believed that in halanc-
ing himself. he either came in contact
accidentally with one of the wires, or
grasped it without realizing the dan
ger.
This is one of three cases where
i young boys have been killed within a
few weeks by climbing poles or tow
ers and coming in contact With high
tension wires These cases present a
troublesome situation, one which is re-
cd h,-f tho utilities M
operating the lines as much as by 9TH
ers. and one which they are as anx-
ious to avoid. But these enterprises
cannot be conducted without offering
an opportunity for danger. any more
than railroads, or, in fact, almost any
kind Of business involving the use of
machinery or the transmission Of pow
ter.-and the accidents caused by them
are no more frequent or deplorab BILE.
Every practicable effort should, how
ever. be made to avoid them.
None of the victims of these acct
dents were where they had a right
to be. Probably none of the parents
was aware they We're in the habit of
doing these stunts. The boys prob
ably all felt so sure they ought not
to do them that they vefrained from
letting their parents know it. Still they
did these things, and others will do
them in the same hoyish spirit with
out approaching the risk. And it can
not be denied that an opportunity to
climb is. to a boy. somewhat of an
invitation to climb. Perhaps any con-
trivance to make that opportunity
less available. or an explicit warn
ing Of danger, would in many cases
serve only as a challenge. and the
utilities cannot be held to insure
against the results of negligence or Of
trespass.
Still. we believe that a further effort
should be made to minimize this dan
ger. We recommend for all electrical
companies that all wooden poles car
rying high tension wires which have
spikes in the sides for the use of line
men, cause all spikes to a height of
eight feet TO be Withdrawn when not
in use, and that all other structures To-
Gated within 500 feet Of any highway
or public park, and carrying such wires,
which are so constructed that a per-
son may climb to the wires by ladders,
bands or other permanent fixtures,
should bear a warning not less than
five nor more than 10 feet from the
ground with the words in letters not
less than four inches high, Danger of
Death. Keep OFF"
i Jack ForestaI Accident
In the matter of an accident upon
the Canadian Pacific Railway at Som
! erset Junction. resulting in the death
Of one Jack Forestall of White River
i Junction, VT, the commission reports
, that information was given to the eff
, feet that Forestall fell while sleeping
, from the blind end" Of baggage car
; which he with a chum had boarded at
. Greenville Junction, and decides that
no blame attaches to any person except
the deceased himself.
Ernest Conner Accident
In the matter Of the accident at
Orono. Aug. "a, in which Ernest Cor
mier lost his life upon the premises Of
the Bangor Railway & Electric Co.
the commission makes no definite de-
? cision owing to the failure of eXamin-
ers to make an autopsy upon the body.
Tho report states that COrnier was