New-York tribune., 1919-10-26

MISSION 10 tNe leg
islatures of other
states measure aimed to reduce the
number of thcfts of automobiles
throughout the country
In preparing this measure the league
has approached the problem from q
new angle. Laws already enacted or
suggested have sought to correct the
evil by prescribing penalties of var-
Gus sorts against automobile thieves
and have overlooked several vital facts.
Insurance companies have conducted
their business along accepted lines and
there has been no incentive for them
10 change the form of the policies
issued. In the opinion of the league
change IN the form Of these policies
would go far toward strangling the
automobile thief.
Motorists who have yearly paid
thousands of dollars in theft insur-
ance, have been contributing to the up
keep and pleasure of the automobile
thieves OF the country. And because
there mas been no organization repre-
sentinG the vast body Of motorists of
the country to take up the cudgels, the
car owners have had to meet the ad-
vances in rates that the insurance COM
panles have been forced to make. due
% the rapidly increasing number of
thcfts by criminals who have been en-
boldened by the apparent indifference
of all parties concerned and the i'm
potencc Of officers of the law to appre-
hend any large percentage of the
offenders.
The police of this city, or any other
city, would be helpless to prevent
thefts and burglaries if it were the
practice of citizens TO leave the doors
md windows of houses and places of
business ajar day and nghht Yet such
4 situation exists among car owners.
The average owner leaves his car on the
streets and elsewhere unguarded and
unlocked
Why? Because if it is stolen he
knows that the insurance company
will pay as much and in most in
stances more than 1t is worth. To
elucidate: man may pay $4,000
suring it against theft for s2 900 drive
it for eleven months and three weeks
and, if it be stolen, receive 81 600 from
the insurance company. although the
I car in most cases would have depre
ciated in that time from $500 to S. 900.
The owner could then take his So 900
I purchase new car, drive it for eleven
months and three weeks longer, and if
it be stolen, buy another, thus keeping
I himself in motor cars without any ex-
pensc beyond the cost of operation.
Does it seem likely, under this con-
dition, that the average man would
lock his car, or take steps to protect
ii from motor car thieves? Is it not
likely, If such course seemed ethical
that he would attach a card to the car
bearng the words. "Theves, help your
selvcs'" This may seem exaggerated
but many motor car owners down in
their hearts say to themselves, ~ will
not bother locking my car when it is
insured for much more than it is
WORTH
An owner is usually conce rncd ove1
protecting his car in the first toirty CT,
sixty days of its operation. Then he
probably prefers not to have it stolen
through fear he might not be able tc
get another or that he might have to
wait sixty days under his policy. This
feeling may we'll begin to pass of P'
even be replaced thereafter by an
actual desire that the car be stolen.
1t will be the effort of the league
to bring about the enactment of a law
requiring the insurance companies to
provide for sliding scale of indem-
mites. That is, n car may be insured
for $1,000, its full value at the time
of purchase. which sum will be paid
by the insurance companies any time
within thirty days. If the car is stolen
in the second month after purchase
a percentage depreciation will be de-
Quoted from tho indemnity paid the
policyholder.
If the car is stolen in the third
month, another percentage depreciation
will be deducted. and so on down the
line, an effort being made to keep the
contract amount of insurance the COM
panles are obligated to pay as near ir
line as possible with the value Of the
car at any given time. Thus, II ar
owner realizes he will only receive the
approximate value of his car at the
time it is stolen he will have strong
incentive for protecting his property
because he will realize he could hardly
derive profit in the event the car Is
stolen and at the same time he VIII
suffer because he is compelled to wait
sixty days for an adjustment OF his
claim.
After a year of operation under this
plan the league Is certain the number
Of thefts would drop like a plummei
and the insurance companies would