Evening star., 1932-04-02
Public Utilities Commission
and Coroner Prepare Pre-
IiminarieS for inquiries.
DRIVERS PLACED UNDER
BONDS OF $1,000 EACH
Owners of Vehicles Also Launch
Inquiry Into Wreck That Killed
Two-Third May Die.

Two separate pubic HlVeSLlSdJLOlS OF
the bus accident yesterday morning at
Seventeenth street and Rhode Island
avenue which cost two lives and re-
suited in injury to IL other persons,
were in progress today. The inquiries
will culminate in hearings before the
Public Utilities Commission and a cor
oner's jury.
The accident occurred when an emp
ty eastbound Washington Railway &
Electric Co. coach crashed into the side
of a Capital Traction Co. de luxe bus,
bound from Chevy Chase to Union
Station, shortly after o'clock. Half
the side of the Capital Traction bus
was ripped off The collision occurred
while the traffic light at the inter-
section was amber.
Besides the investigations by public
agencies, both transportation COM
panieS are endeavoring to fix respon-
sibility for the accident.
Drivers Under Bond.
The two drivers were arrested fol-
lowing the crash, but were released
last night, on order of Deputy Coroner
A. Magruder Macdonald, under $4,000
bond each. No charge will be lodged
against either before the inquest, po-
lice said.
The dead were: M. E. Williamson,
AZ years old, 1920 Connecticut avenue,
secretary to Representative Edward w.
Pou OF North Carolina, and BENJAMIN
B. Pettus, 46, prominent attorney, SSH
Cedar Parkway, Chevy Chase, Md.
The condition of only one of the
injured was considered critical today.
At Emergency Hospital it was said that
there was grave doubt of the chances
for recovery of Clyde Culp, so, 6407
Florida street. Chevy Chase, Md. His
skull, jaw and several ribs were frac-
tured and he sustained other chest
injuries. Late yesterday Dr. John Sugrue
performed an operation to relieve pres
sure on his brain.
The condition of Harry Wolfe, IS,
4012 Leland street, Chevy Chase. Nd,
whose skull. pelvis and left leg were
fractured, also was considered serious
today, although he showed considerable
improvement during the night.
Removed From Emergency.
Matthew P Touhey, 80, of 30l6
Rodman street, sustained a fractured
nose and skull, but his condition is not
thought TO be grave. He was removed
last night from Emergency Hospital to
the Washington Sanitarium.
Mrs. Marie Tyler. 80, of 3712 Con-
necticut avenue, who was said yester-
day to be seriously injured, is suffering
only from a scalp wound, it was said
today
The other injured are: Mrs. Miriam
A. Sonnemann, SO, 1929 Connecticut
avenue; Miss Kathleen Conlon, "a. 1881
Cathedral avenue Miss Virginia Wing
field, BIAS Oliver street: John Enreitto,
33, 1858 Stuyvesant street; P. j. j.
Nicolaides, 1914 Mckinley street; Harry
T. Peters. 46, 3709 Livingston street;
Frank w Buxton, 38, 3911 Harrison
street, and Police Court Judge Ralph
Given, 3716 Morrison street.
The investigation by the Public Utili-
ties Commission is the first of its kind
since organization of the utilities body
IL years ago. The inquiry will be for
the purpose of determining what, if
any, order should be issued in connec-
ton with the bus service of the two
Inquest Early Next Week.
The commission had its representa-
tlves at the scene of the accident shortly
atter 1t occurred and witnesses are being
rounded up today and interrogated The
TWO transportation companies were in
formed that the date for the hearing
VIII be set within 10 DAYS.
Deputy Coroner Macdonald said the
inquest probably will be held early next
week.
1T will take place." he said, "just as
soon as the police are satisfied that
tney have found enough witnesses and
Wnen some Of those who sustained only
MINOR injuries have recovered SUI
hclently to attend"
Inc capital Traction bus was operated
by Joseph T. Turner, 615 M street
southwest, and the Washington RAILWAY
& Electric Co. coach was being driven
Dy LOUIS H. Mealey, 1647 Lamont street.
Turner told police he was more than
nall way across the intersection when
tne other bus struck his vehicle on the
SIDE just behind the center. He said the
trafflc light was amber The heavily
loaded bus was swung around bv the
colllSlon and crashed against a tree on
Seventeenth street.
Didn't See Other Bus.
Mealey said he stopped for the red
light at Seventeenth street and started
Off in low gear when it flashed amber.
He said he did not see the other bus
until 1t loomed up directly in front of
him.
The de luxe bus carried IT passen-
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