The sun., 1919-03-16
AUTO ASSOCIATION
WARNS OF THIEVES
Advises All Motorists to Lock
Cars. as Thefts Are
Increasing.

ALBANY, March 15.--From the great
number OF automobile thefts reported 70
the headquarters OF the New York State
Automobile Association at Albany there
Is an apparent epidemic OF thefts OF this
character prevalent throughout the
State. Automobile owners are them
selves to blame for O largo number OF
these thefts because they continue to
ignore the oft repeated admonition TO
lock cars unattended, whether in private
or public garage or parked on the street.
No positive means has been invented
to prevent the theft OF automobiles.
Methods OF locking the electrical equip
ment and the motor have prevented
thefts and some owners lock the wheels
with chain guards, but the great ma
jority OF automobile owners, while
taking the precauton TO lock up Lib
erty bonds and other securities in safety
deposit boxes, deliberately leave their
automobiles, which in many instances
greatly exceed in cost the value of their
bonds, standing about the streets un-
locked and unattended and at the con-
venience of the joy rider and profess
sional thief
Nor does there seem to be any
particular organization OF automobile
thieves. The New York State Automo-
bile Association may receive report OF
stolen car from its club ct Gouverneur
one day, from Troy next, then Bingham
ton will follow with n stolen car report.
While Albany has practically a daily
stolen car record, Geneva. Oneida, on
eonta. Utica and other places seem to
suffer AZ the same time from the same
cause.
Joy riders are responsible for a large
,I,A,- I,
cars, IL not wrecked, are usually found
abandoned along the road rs soon as
the gasolene has become exhausted. but
large number. and the number Is grow
ing rapidly. OF automobiles are stolen
OF which no trace whatever Is ever
found, and this seems to be the work
of professionals at all hours of the day
and night in all sections Of the state.
As long as the original license plate
remains on the car there Is fair chance
OF recovery. but very few cars are ever
identified or recovered after the original
license plate has been exchanged for
another. Some thieves, it is said pur-
chase their own license plates through
tho mails. giving as resident address
some hotel TO avoid suspicion. and it is
also said that many stolen cars are re-
constructed in the larger centres and
sold by well organized gangs OF thieves
The New York state Automobile AS
ISOLATION, with It's statewide afflliation
OF l20 local automobile clubs. with tho
cooperation OF local police departments
and especially the state troopers, has re-
covered a large number Of stolen cars
during the last year for its members
but there IS also a large number OF
stolen cars for which this association
has offered Its usual reward hut OF which
no trace whatever has been found.
The New York State Automobile As
aoc.ation has time and again suggested
that manufacturers stamp the car num-
Der in the steering post. This method
would rot prevent theft. but II would
prevent sale OF cars to honest dealers
and individuals in many instances. 4
method has now been suggested which
sounds Just as practical as other equip
mcnt. and that is TO have all automo.
b.les equipped with secret device known
only to the owner, which, when the car
is moved or motor started by Others than
those authorized to do so. would auto
matically display a conspicuous sign
with the word Stolen"