Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-06
AND WHY MOTT
A New Calling in the Profession OF
Thfevery Suggested by Aufomobfics'

eft will soon be in order for Major Syl-
yester to invest in a new blotter and record
at notice HEADQUARTERS in which to register
the names, numbers and descriptions of au-
tomobiles which are stolen In this city and
of those which may have been stolen III
other cities and sent here for disposal.
said a member of the detective force to
Star reporter.
.'To the force will have to be added an
automobile detective. just as we no" nave
detectives who make specially OF recov-
ering stolen bicycles. This thought Is sug-
gested to me by observing the horseless
carriages standing unoccupied before the
doors of residences while the owners have
gone inside.
.sThese vehicles are as susceptible OF
being stolen as bicycle or a horse and
buggy, the thefts Of both OF which are OF
daily occurrence 1t Is sight to when
we are not yet accustomed to see these
vehicles standing by themselves unattend-
ed in the streets during the day and at
night After dark their lamps are seen
shining in the gloom like the brilliant eyes
of some rapidly moving animal ana "hen
the owner goes inside. what Is to hinder an
expert thief from getting in, turning on
the lever and two minutes later turning
the corner? Nothing but the lack OF the
requisite nerve.
and 1t would not be such an easy mat
ter to recover these stolen rigs. AS bicy-
cles are practically all alike, so are the
automobiles the difference being mainly
in the propelling power. Big automobile
padlocks will have to be snapped on the
wheels of the carriage by the careful
owner, just as bicycle locks are snapped
on the SprOckets
1.-The theft of the first automobile in
Washington has yet to be reported to the
police but it is only a question Of time
when it will be, and l shall be much in
terested in learning the owners name and
the circumstances of the theft. 1t will be
quite distinction to be the owner of the
first automobile to be stolen In the capital,
though 1 suppose no one Is especially de-
srous of the honor.
..These views are a trife in advance of
the present situation, but the rapid in
crease Of horseless carriages upon our
streets IS remarkable and worthy of COM
ment as it also gives evidence of the ulti-
mate naturalization Of my suggestion.
When they become thick as they prom
Use there will be found thieves who will
make specially of making away with
gang or gangs of automobile crooks work.
ing in different cities and transporting
their plumber from city to city for disposal.
This would be very simple in opera ton
when these vehicles become so plentiful
that they cease to attract attention by
reason of their novelty. OF course. no
bungler will attempt the job. 1t will be
executed by men who have mechanical
knowledge of the workings of the different
makes. just as the bank burglar knows all
about locks and safes. I believe 1t will de-
velop into regular branch Of roguery.
and that the automobile crook will become
as expert any other who 'sneaks' some
thing which does not belong to him.
1.-The owner of an automobile should make
a careful note of the number of his ma
chine and have a private mark by which
it could be distinguished in case of theft.
as it would probably be disguised by re-
painting. The frame and parts cannot be
changed, as those of bicycle, but new
coat of paint and change of numbers, If
the latter may be effected. would alter one
so much that it's owner would have hard
work proving his property in court, espe-
cally on cross-examination by smart
lawyer defending the thief"