Imperial Valley press., 1923-08-25

Seventy five hundred motor ears,
were stolen in eighteen states in
the mid west section of the United
States during recent twelve
months period, according to the
latest report of theft bureaus main
tanned by conference of old line
insurance companies of the coun-
try. The average of recoveries for
all makes of ears in all states re-
ported was slightly less than fifty
per cent, the percentage varying
widely according to state and make
of car.
A high powered car like the Cad
lilac, for instance, because of it's
ability to travel long distances and
stand unlimited punishment with
out the tell-tale recourse to garage
service, is coveted prize for the
trans-continental touring pirate. If
stolen, it probably will be found a
long way from home. Yet, strange
ly enough, the Cadillac shows the
largest percentage of recoveries of
any make of car produced on a
quantity basis. In fact, the season
ed veteran of motor car banditrv
is beginning to realize that the law
of averages is dead against him if
in his ambitious moments he as
pires to the theft of Cadillac.
Due to Unique Features
This high average of recoveries
is due to two unique features,
which have been commented upon
most favorably by motor car un-
derwriters, according to Warren M.
Warner, manager of the Cadillac
parts department.
a "We have an organization here.
one part of which is set aside to
aid in the recovery of stolen cars, -
said Warner. "In addition. we
have system of secret symbols of
car Identification so effective that
we have yet to hear of Cadillac
eight cylinder ear which has been
stolen and which we have been un.
able to identify if given the oppor-
tunity to check over our secret
signs.
I'VE have one man here who de-
votes his entire time to aiding IN
the recovery of stolen cars, by tele-
grams, by long distance calls, and
by correspondence with police.
sheriffs, the federal department of
justice, insurance companies. theft
bureaus, distributors, dealers and
owners in every part of United
States.
When necessary, to present con.
vieting evidence, we also send from
tins office to any part of the coun.
try to testify in federal cases the
man in charge of the records of
cars already sold.
Secret Symbol System
Our system Of secret symbols
makes our evidence in such cases
especially. convincing. We have a
method of symbol cross-references
Just as definite and effective as
the card index of finger prints
found in a high grade detective -bu.
reau; SO that, given the symbol, we
can immediately identify the car.
cases have actually come to our at.
tentlon where professional members
OF the automobile theft gentry have
mutnated part numbers, thinking
they were effacing our symbols
But as yet we have never found n
single case where their most stud
lous efforts have been successful.
Notifications of ears stolen
come to the factory from distribu.
tors, dealers, insurance theft bu-
reaus, owners and other sources
From the identifying information
gwen we can supply what is lack
1hg-engine number, body number
or style, color of body, name of
distributor or dealer to whom shin.
ped, date of shipment and name Of
original owner.
Underground System
This information is Immediate
!ly printed and sent to everv point
in the great network of Cadillac
distributors and dealers througbout
the country. 1t keeps them on tb,
lookout and accounts for the recov-
cry of many ears.
Our department activity, ou..
secret signs and our bulletins are
factors which have resulted in Cad.
lilac cars heading the list of re-
eoveries of all ears produced in
quantity. Other factors which are
raising the average of recovery of
cars of all makes are the enactment
OF certificate of title laws by state
Legislatures; vigorous and effective
effort by the United States depart