The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-06
~ n 6. Bradassd.

Cyril Arthur Player, editorial writer
on the Detroit News, formerly auto
mobtle editor OF the Seattle Post In
tel1ig&nCer proposes federal law that
would project the motor car or truck
owner from this cclossal evil against
society CIR thievery. He su8-
i gests 4 federal stAtus which would
compel the registration Of motor We
hiclese pasaenUer cars and trucks With
the federal marshal. attorney or other
ofsciai who deals IN the enforcement
OF federal laws. Mr.. Player would
. have the manufacturer cast numb
on his various units. It would be an
offense under federal law to steal a
car or truck: To try and efface or dis
guise such numbers no cars could be
sold without 1t was accompanied by a
fedora! certificate of registration,
which would be in effect the rsgistra-
ticn OF > bill Of sale with the federal
government.
Something must he done to halt or
stop the theft Of motor cars. II IL
costing millions of dollars and large
number OF men to trace stolen motor
vehicles. II Increases the first cost
and increases the yearly maintenance
cost OF motor cars. Insurance prem
iunls have been placed Mt excessive
figures because Of such stealing and
the future indicates that unless some
protective measure with teeth in 1t
appears they will still further increase.
MOtOEs car thieves are occupying too
mu.l npe and causing too much wor-
~ for po:ice departments. 1t Ia teach
ing crime. because 1t has been an easy
matter ~ steal and dispose OF mo-
tor car with punishment prospects
light even IN extreme cases
1rv syr Matt
have the Detroit Autemobile club and
the Detroit Autom ohile Dealers asso-
citation get back of movement for
such a federal law. Both organiza-
tions viii discuss it at their next meet
ings. A. l.. Zeckendorf Cole and
Chandler. dealer and president Of the
dealers. organization. and G. Edward
Bell. Republic truck manager. direc-
tor OF the automobile club. are both
strong for the enactment OF such leg
islation
Over s.teo letters are leaving De-
trou addressed to the automobile deal
ers throughout the country urging
that they exert their influence for the
enactinen; Of such federal legislation.
They are urged TO take It up with
their local dealers organization. with
the National Automobile Dealers as
sociation and their congressman.
There seems to be no doubt but
what the movement once started ana
then backed by some strong organf-
cation in the sc,cinohiIe industry will
result in federal legislation being en-
acted. The industry itself can spell
the Doom Of thu motor car thief.
No one sees an opportunity OF In
turing anyone in the enactment OF
such law, unless it he the organized
ranss ct motor thieves. Police de-
efcomc such 4 law. IT would be folly
pat,mel.ts in all large cities would
to quote rho amount of money that Is
involved yearly In car thieveFy; that
it would extend yearly into eight fig-
ures and possibly nine is conjecture.
Close To a million dollars IL not an
excess of that sum is spent yearly in
tracing stolen motor cars: large
number Of men are engaged in this
business who could be doing some
thing mere profitable for their COM
munfty.
Motor car stealing has increased In
surance rates and there IL every fnd1-
GATOR. that unless something is done
the insurance companies will be
forced to still further advance theft
premiums,
Prediction for the future indicate
thai there win he shortage Of man
power I'm the country, SO much so that
the national government will be
forced to suggest ways and means ol
curtailing Unnecessary labor. Men de-
tailed To hunt motor car thieves would
fall under such a ruling: a federal Law