Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-11-16

II Is q matter OF common knowledge
that automobile thefts have been
growing in volume this year until the
figures are staggering. This is true
in all parts of the country. Police
headquarters have on file lists of IL
cense numbers of stolen cars so long
that any reference to It in connection
with a certain car involves a lengthy
search. In Boise the authorities say
1t would require special officer and
clerical assistance even to care for the
notices received locally and by mail
and telegraph.
Systems to break up the orgy of au-
tomobile thefts have been suggested
but none worked out a s. vet that are to
any extent practical. But the state
ment that owners themselves are pri-
marily to blame has never been con-
traverted. Unlocked cars are a temp
tation.
CALIFORNIA DISCOVERIES.
In California, where home owned
and tourist cars are thick as mosqui-
toes in New Jersey. and where the
automobile clubs are active and
thoughtful, special study has been
made recently of car thfets. Several
organized gangs have been discovered
that make a business of stealing and
making away with cars. The idea is
not unknown in other section, but few
er actual disclosures have been made.
The Los Angeles Times tells about
some of the experiences with auto
thieves the police and the auto clubs
have had. The story is Illuminating to
owners elsewhere:
An exchange OF cars stolen In
Texas, Arizona and Nevada to be
sold here and cars stolen here to be
sold in Texas and neighboring
states is one of the latest develop
ments of the theft programme, state
automobile club officials. Every effort
is now being made by the police, the
sheriff's office and the clubs theft bu-
reau to prevent Los Angeles from be-
coming too firmly entrenched as a
sales center.
ORGANIZED GANG.
An organized gang .of license
counterfeiters operating throughout
the western states has been un-
covered by the theft bureau here. and
the hunt for remaining members Of
the gang is now being carried on in
Colorado. However, the capture OF
George Schlaughaus and a man giving
the name of "Meirs," by the San Diego
police department, led by Captain of
Detectives Paul Hayes and Detectives
Klein and Myers. stopped for the time
being this style of crime In California
Following up the lead from the
capture by the San Diego police.
Detectives Erven and Hickok of the
auto club discovered the ''camou-
flage house" here, where every mag
Unable tool was stored to be used in
fixing automobiles so their own pa
rents wouldn't recognize them. This
house had been rented by the thieves
for the purpose of having place
to take stolen automobiles, paint them
over, change the motor and license
numbers and issue them forth as cars
recently arrived in Los Angeles from
the east. according to the club detec-
tives
Paraphernala for making enam-
eled metal license plates was found
on the premises, and number of
sample plates which had been made
by the gang, TO try out. There was
evidence to show that they had also
taken California license plates and
changed Tire numbers so cleverly
that an expert could not tell the diff
ference.
PLATE CouNTERFEiTS.
Taking a plate bearing the number