The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-02
INVENTION STOPS auto THEFTS
Topeka Company Is on Market With
Ingenious Device Which Makes
Cars Safe from Thieves.

One of the exhibits at the Big Free State
Fair this week that has been attracting a
great deal of attention. and that is of in
terest to number of Topeka people par
ticularly is the new Ford automobile lock
that has just been perfected by a Topeka
stock company organization and placed on
the market
All week at the fair it has been in dem
onstration and the Ford owners-many
hundreds of whom have been attending the
big fair-have evinced great deal Of in
terest in 1t because of the fact that for
very little outlay of money they may at
tacn this lock to their car and absolutely
prevent its theft The demonstrators have
not attempted to take any orders for the
lock, but have put in their time entirely in
the demonstration of it. Very shortly the
manufacture of the article will go forward,
when it will be available to Ford owners.
This lock is an electric continuance. very
small and compact, and fits on the side of
the coil box. The wires that control IT are
merely those in use on any Ford ear that
made, however by passing these wires
Yale key. If the key is out of the lock
the car is securely locked and cannot be
started. By the distribution of the com
mutator wires thru it into the coil box,
the insertion Of the key and the turning
of it to the proper point the contact IL
made and the car ready for use. So all in
ALL it is a very simple contrivancc and
will wear the life of the car without any
move it unless it is hauled out bodily
without the of the Yale key.
The company owning the patents pro
burglar insurance for $500, which makes
ii n very inexpensive accessory and insures
the Ford owner absolute safety.
Dean Hughes, of the Wasbburn law
school, is president of the association hay
ing to do with this lock: Ilif Felix of the
Felix Clothing company. is secretary;
George A Clark. former secretary of state:
w. Il. Smith. present state printer: and
Earl Akers. present state treasurer con-
stitute the board Of directors Consider
able money has been spent for the Derfec-
ton of the patents, and acid tests of the
genufneness of the lock itself have been
made. that the owners of 1t are clearly
past all experimental stages now and can
offer II to TIE public with the assurance
that it will do what is promised Me-
chanics and electricians who have had 10
do with the Invention and patents have
been sent to various automobile cenfers to
consult with the leading automobile enri-
neers and mechanics and to make sure
that the organization Is in Possession Of
an artlcie OF commerce that is thoroly
genuine In its goodness and of unrth -
the purchaser. They have been Informed
upon repeated occasions that a great NAM
locks nave been put on the market VIII,
promises and prospects of doing the tbfnf.
expected OF 1t, but that this is the first
lock that has come to their attention thar
mas completely solved the problem
Ia r., L 6eake, The secretary of the Auto
mobile Dealers association of Kansas
CITY, In conversation with one of fhe di
reetors the other day Informed him taa+
the theft of Ford cars was getting 10 he :,
very Serlous problem. particularly In cities
IKE Kansas City, Topeka Wichita and
larger ones, and he predicted a great size
cess ior TINS new Topeka organization be-
1870 - me Iact that they had solved tie
proDiem OF automobile burglary