Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-09
N A I | 0 n A |
AUT0M0 M0B|LE
Theft Law is
NOW IN EFFECT
Bill to Provide Heavy Pen.
atty for Stealing Cars
Effective, Although
Not Signed.

St. Louis, Mo-, Nov. 8.-The ma
tional motor vehicle theft bill, in
troduced in congress by Representa-
tive Dyer of St. Louis, and sup.
ported by Representative Newton of
St. Louis. The measure sponsored
by the National Automobile Deal
ers association, has become a law
without the signature of President
Wilson. according to telegram to
the National Automobile Dealers
association headquarters by Repre-
sentative Dyer
The act provides for a punish.
ment of $4,000 or up to five years
in prison or both fine and prison
for person who steals an automo-
bile in one state and drives it into
another. The act is broad enough
to catch the joyriders as there need
not be proved any intent to steal the
car. The offense consists of the TAX
ing of the car, whether with or
without the intent of depriving the
owner of its usef
The law reads as follows:
l. Be it enacted by the senate
and house of representatives of the
United States of America in con-
gress assembled, that this act may
be cited as the national motor We
hicle theft act.
2. That when used in this act:
(a) The term motor vehicle"
shall include an automobile, auto
mobile truck, automobile wagon,
motor cycle or any other self-pro-
PEELED vehicle not designed for run
ming on rails:
((b). The term interstate or for
eign commerce" as used in this act
shall include transportation from
one state, territory, or the. District
of Columbia, to another state, ter
ritory or the District of Columbia,
or to a foreign country, or from a
foreign country to any state, terri
tory, or the distritc of Columbia.
3. THAT whoever shall transport
or cause to be transported in inter-
state or foreign commerce, a motor
vehicle, knowing the same to have,
been stolen, shall be punished by
fine of not more than five thousand
dollars ($500W, or by imprisonment
of not more than five years, or both.
q. That whoever shall, with the
intent to deprive the owner of the
possession thereof, received, conceal,
store, barter, sell, or dispose of any
motor vehicle, moving as, or which
is part Of, or which constitutes
Interstate or foreign commerce,
knowing the same to have been stolen
shall be punished by fine of
not more than five thousand dollars,
($5,OOO(, or by Imprisonment of not
more than five years, or both.
). That any person violating
this act my be punished in any
district in or through which such
motor vehicle has been transported
or removed by such offender"
| The various automobile trade as
sociations, including the National
Automobile Dealers association.
The National Chamber of Com
merce. The American Automobile
association. The Motor Accessory
Manufacturer association and the
Traitors Association of of America,
are now at work designing uniform
theft bill which can be introduced
in the various states which have not
such law now and which can be
correlated with the National Motor
Vehicle Theft bill to reduce the
thefts of motor cars.
In 81 cities of the United States,
in 1918 more than $1,000 automobiles
valued at more than $28,000,0O0 were
stolen. OF this number about 5000
automobiles, valued at more thar
$5,000,000, never were recovered.