The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01

I theft. for they would change the IN
dividual numbers stamped in the steel
work of each car 80 that they could not
be identified In that way. while also
exchanging the chassis and bodies of
| cars in such a way that II was difficult
| always to make a positive identification
OF the machine.
MANY stolen cars would be sent to
| other cities. some OF them to nearby
places under their own power. and then
shipped from there to more distant
points BY railroad.
"It has been the practice Of some Of
! the thieves, 50 bold and fearless have
| they become, to communicate first with
the insurance companies direct offering
10 return a stolen insured car for so
much money. II their price was too high
and the companies refused to deal with
them the crooks would then get in
touch with insurance adjusters and try
to bargain with them. The price asked
would be reduced, and as OF course the
companies were anxious to get the car
into their possession so that full loss
payment TO the owner might be avoided
| the adjusters often have gone ahead
and paid the amount demanded by these
holdup men.
1.-THE principle IL wrong, however. and
] believe no reward whatever should be
offered for the return OF stolen cars,
leaving II to the police, whose duty 1t Is
to find the thieves and arrest them and
regain the stolen property.
But something has to be done to
check the stealing OF automobiles In
New York. Within the last twelve
| months machines, the total value Of
VI ich will amount 10 100000. have been
stolen In Greater New York and recov-
cred by insurance companies. Mind you.
this does not include the number Of cars
insured that the companies have not
got back. nor the cars not insured that
tho owners have never seen again.
Two hundred thousand dollars Ia a low
estimate. in my opinion. OF the value Of
cars stolen here last year and not re-
covered
New York heads the list OF cities In
| the United States where automobiles
have been stolen in 1918 and Philadel-
phia comes next, although nearly all tina
| large cities In the country are infested
by gangs that make practice OF steal
Ing machines, either surrendering them
70 Insurance companies. or sending them
to fences in other cities for disposal
| there. Considering the size OF the city
very large number Of automobiles
we're stolen in Newark last year.
| 1.-THE respon sblllty for the large num-
Der Of auto thtfts In New York. Phila-
delphia and Newark. comnarativelv
larger than in other cities. is because Of
the inefficiency OF the police. Why. AS
sistsnt District Attorney Deuel. OF New
York has done more In the last few
weeks to round up auto thieves than the
New York Police Department has done
In a year. and he Is not through yet! II
IL all well enough to say that owners OF
autos should not leave their machines
IN the streets or elsewhere unguarded
but what are the police for? People
should not be compelled to defend them.
selves against thieves--it Is the duty o'
the police to do that, and It is for that
| Shev are paid
"why. as an Illustration: A Ford
car owned by Or. n. J. Lebhar Of 50
West l1Sth street was stolen about ha.f
past nine o'clock on the night Of Feb
rusry I when standing near the side
walk al 145th street and st. Nicholas
avenue while a policeman stood on peg
post right at that corner. My company
has offered reward Of 800 for the re-
turn OF that car.
"Othsr cars Tor which rewards Of 500
each have heen offered are a Cadillac.
stolen at . o'clock at night on February
from In front Of las West 1lsth street,
and a Ford stolen al q quarter to four
In tho afternoon on January Is while
standing In Amsterdam avenue near
1881 street. and $3.50 reward Is offered
for n Packard car stolen at 10 o'clock at
night from In front OF 1494 Broadway
have sent out postcards broadcast Of
fering the rewards mentioned for the
return OF the cars. but have heard
nothing OF them - vet.
" am strongly In favor OF offering no
Iyewsvds ct I'll for the return q stolen