Evening star., 1920-07-04
SUGGESTS SPECIAL
GUARDS FOR CARS
DR.. w. H. Deck Believes Dan
ger of Theft of Machines
Can Be Eliminated Thereby.

Believing that some system might
be worked out so that parked cars
and their accessories might be made
nearly thief proof. DR.. William Hen
bricks Deck has written to the au-
tomoble editor of The Star offering
suggestion whereby this might be ac-
complished.
Mr.. Decks letter follows:
Upon reading in last Sundays Star
your expose of the startling circum-
stances surrounding the parking of
automobiles in this city, due to the
danger of theft of either the entire
machine or some of its accessories,
some efficacious scheme might be
evolved to afford a more thorough
guardianship over parked cars.
Job Too Large for Police.
1T is true. as every one knows. that
the police department is doing its best
to apprehend thieves of this class
and to prevent thefts. but it is also
well known that the police depart
ment cannot possibly do this work
well and attend to its other duties.
The force is too small and each po-
liceman has a certain beat to walk,
thus preventing his being in par
ticular locality for any length of
time.
My plan may have been thought
out previously and found impracti
cable, but yet l feel that some sort
of similar plan might be efficacious
and make the parking or cars pracli-
cally safe.
"An organization. such as the
American Automobile Association,
mi ght hire men to be stationed at
parking places. such as on F street
between 14th and 18th streets north
lar tn
parks a car there a check. A fee OF
| 81 cents might be charged for this
check and l have no doubt that every
one parking car in such place
would only be too willing to pay Tor
the safeguard. Presentation of a
check would be required before any
car could be removed from the space
This employe might also be sworn as
a special policeman, and have power
to make arrests
Receipts Would Mount Up.
'If 200 cars are parked in this
space during the day, the receipts at
| 25 cents per check, would amount to
| $50. which is considerable and allur-
| ing. This SPECIAL policeman should
he compelled 70 be responsible Tor
the safety OF Gil cars parked in his
space and must not, under any CIR
| cumstances, allow any car TO pe
| taken out without the check being
produced.
preference is made to hiring men
, by the association merely to guar
f, antee to the employe a salary. How
| ever. the police department might be
able to recruit men and handle the
| distribution of funds for salaries
| similarly as is done in the case OF
! traffic officers.
"While the aforementioned plan is
not entirely thiefproof. yet l feel
| that it would be a great measure OF
/ assurance to owners of cars who find it
necessary to park for long periods"
system Used on Jersey Coast.
In connection with Mr.. Decks sug.
| gestion, it is interesting to note thai
| the system he has outlined is being
| used with effect at several seashort
| resorts along the New Jersey coast
| where there are great numbers OF
| cars parked for long periods. while
the drivers and parties are enjoying
the bathing and other amusements.
The charge is 25 cents and the pro
ceeds go toward the towns for the
cleaning up process necessary after
a large number of people have visited
that particular resort.