The Washington times., 1917-12-04
AUTOLSTS PLAN
, MEANS TO BALK
THEFT OF CARS

Secretary OF State Hugo OF New
York said last week that he had re-
ceived a large number OF favorable
replies from owners. manufacturers
and dealers to the suggestion which
he recently made as a means OF cur
failing thefts OF motor cars. that
the manufacturers number should be
affixed on the steering column Of the
car. in addition to being placed on
the motor. according TO the New
York Times one Of the replies came
from the secretary OF state OF Ohio.
who said lie was anxious to cooper
ate in any way that would reduce
the automobile thcfs evil. Secretary
Hugo intimated that in the near flu
tUre a conference OF representatives
from the leading motor organizations
ouId be held to determine some def
mite plan to present TO the manufac-
turing interests.
Chauncurs Careless.
Many cars are stolen through the
medium OF the chauneur-and the
chauffeur may be perfectly Innocent
lie often is. When the habits OF
certain car are being watched with
view Of unwaTrantcd ownership.
the chauffeur makes more friends
than at any other time: agreeable
fellows who buy him drinks and get
him to talk about his employer.
when the car IL lifted. however. the
one who cultivated the chauffeur Is
not in evidence. Even when wholly
innocent, chauffeur may grow care
less. many owners are putting in the
agreement with ia" chaun' W
clause that he shall forfeit two
weeks wages II the car disappears
while he Is in charge.
BEIGE car H. stolen it, habits as
they are known in the .ofc-s;on. are
watched The thieycs know the rou-
tine OF the cars life. they know
81 here IL goes. when IL goes. and for
how long il viii remain unmatched.
II the thieves are to lift n car.
while the car is waiting in front Of
a mans office. they do not simply get
in and ride away. The car is watched
until they know with some degree Of
accuracy how long It will stand I'M
occupied. and then when the oppor-
tune time comes they avail them.
selves Of the cars wait and speed
away over Il route previously deter
Five Usually Implicated.
No fewer than five persons are
usually implicated in the stealing Of
car. They are the locator. the
Erabber. the garage owner the me
ohanic. and the fence. The ''locater"
Is the one who picks uu' the ear to
hr stolen. the ''grabbor" Is IA" on.
who drives the car of; the merchant,
disguise. the car. while the fence"
dispns"s OF the stolen property.
DI tie locks designed to prevent
theft the rommunest is tho ra~p'cnr
lock. but il has certain dIs1dvHn-
'IE.s. There are a number o.; locks
r,r cutting Of the fuel supply. one
being a combination lock worked ON
the principle Of a p"stonicc hos. To
appeal to tie man who has the habit
81 leaving his key in his other
clothes The lock IL worked by tun-
hl"rs which, IA ling into the pipe line.
cut If the fuel But even this docs
not keep the thief away. for the THIEF
Of today goes prepared for such an
emergency. ~" not only carries
small kit Of tools with him, hut in
addition q bottle. In tn" bottle is
Easnl"uc. H.. has observed tn" habits
OF the car: D." knows approximately
when the owner viii return. and So
he does not even have fu test the car
io 20" II Tho .url lock j. ON. lie
knows ;his car has such a lock and
i prepared with his steel ulppers
90. cuts the Tu.l line below the lock
and with the Rubber tubing from his
b"sr bottle feeds Eas"leu" into the
He Is or To- garage,
while Tn" owner comes out and puz
Z "s his head how anybody could have
II"Nrd hiS ear VIXEN he simply never
ct 10 stand without lock ing.
No Effective Protection.
The only Safeguard is TO rcmov"
he motor. for without this there is
10 ignition and motors are not easily
duplicated in case the thief wanted