The sun., 1909-06-06

for robbery purposes is not likely. The
use Of cars for this purpose, they say. ls
likely to be exceptional and for that reason
all the more difficult to cope with.
1t is possible to steal a car occasionally.
Such case occurred not long ago. in
member OF the Automobile Club Of this
city appeared one night at the garage
and took out his employers car. The
owners authorization gave him that
right and the car was delivered without
question.
In few hours it became known that
he had stolen the car. All garage own
GUS cities we're informed OF the case by
wire. The next day the thief rolled into
Washington and put the car up at
garage. He was caught at once.
Even il the numbers had been changed
detection would have been easy. for a
description of the car had been tele-
graphed with description Of the thief.
The real number Of the car was also
tamped upon the engine and could not
be destroyed. That incident showed how
difficult it is to steal automobiles.
The criminal use Of the automobile in
joy riding. The chauffeurs are RESPONSE
BILE for it almost exclusively. The oppor-
tunity to Use rich mans property for
the purpose OF cutting wide swath.
usually for the sake OF u woman, Is too
tempting to be resisted.
The women of the underworld usually
are concerned in this Joy riding. A
chauffeur often takes his employer to
certain place and is told to come back in
two or three hours to get him. He takes
advantage OF the leeway to give some
acquaintance ride.
Again the desire OF, young girls, or
even women OF maturer years, who have
anfnmn,ila
them to take advantage of chaufIeur'S
invitation to take a spin. The police d.
clare that this desire ia almost irresistible
Designing chaufeurs. they say, never
have any difficulty in securing such
companionship.
The only way to check this sort of thing
Is for owners TO keep strict watch upon
their chauffeurs. At all the big garages
IT Is the custom now to mail to each owner
weekly a card showing just when his
machine was taken from the garage and
when it was returned by the chauffeur
ments for the week he can tell easily
whether his driver has been taking out
the car for JOY riding.
1t was to circumvent chauffeurs who
contemplate leaving mans employ from
taking liberties with car during the last
the ally that the automobile people had
Incorporated in the bill passed recently at
Albany a clause which made it a misde-
meanor to take out any car without the
owners direct permission and orders.
The automobile folks say that a large
part OF the chaufeurs are honorable men:
The temptation Of using other folks
property for their own Enjoyment and CIV
ing their companions a good time has
made some OF them untrustworthy.
The only real guard an owner has
against the joy riding is to make sure of
the character Of the chauffeur he en-
ploys. 1t is matter entirely, OF master
and servant, An owner should know the
kind OF man he hires or course chauf-
feurs that are known to be bad are prac-
tically black listed. but the demand for
them Is 80 great that many OF them get
employment despite their records.
A crooked chauffeur does many things
to escape detection when he goes out for
Joy ride. The favorits scheme Is 10
change the numbers on the machine
Another device Is to hang the number
right hack OF the exhaust, no that when
the machine s flying along. the number
Is kept swinging back and forth 30 rap
idly that no one can read II.
Some hang the number in such way
that almost Immediately II becomes so
covered with dirt that 1t cannot he read.
| " hen attention Ia called to 1t they wipe
the dirt OF. but in five minutes more 1t
has become obscured completely.
Oftentimes two numbers, say those OF
New York and New Jersey are strung
together In such way that the combined
sign makes one long numeral which no
one can read as car dasiies by. 4
chauffeur was found recently who had
a string running to his seat whereby he
could draw up the number so that it was
impossible to read IL.
fhe police say that very few owners
of machines take reckless Joy rides.
II 10 only when some one has been drink.
ing heavily that he takes such chances
In the city. Lots OF them 60 little above