New Britain herald., 1925-08-11
DEFENSE AGAINST
 BANDITS PLANNED
New York Firms Think Of Self
 Protection
By The Associated Press.

By The Associated Press.
 Nav York, Aug. il While the | national crime commission Is arous- ing public opinion to the end that New York may be made safer for | New Workers and their possessions | and the Fifth Avenue association Is 1 clamoring for 2,oo0 additional police, there Is an economic factor that is | working overtime to the same end. This is the mounting rate for bur Slary insurance.
 Plan Own Defense The immediate result has been to cause many financial houses and merchandising establishments to set up defenses of their own. For ob- vieus reasons not much Is said pub liely about this private protection, but tour through that part of Manhattan south of Times Square reveals an extraordinary situation and suggests that the business of robbery and burglary in the future may be hazardous a risk for crim- inals as it has been for the insur- ance companies.
 The most notable departure has heen that on the part of the Fur riers' Security Alliance, the members Of which have been especially hard hh. Two recent instances each net ted the thieves loot of $15o,0oo. Be- cause of their high value and the fact that they are easily negotiable, furs are particularly attractive to organized bands of robbers, and in some instances insurance companies have cancelled policies on fur stocks The alliance has organized squad of sharp-shooters composed of ex- ssrvtcemen and these supplement the patrol of the wholesale fur district lying generally in the vicinity of the Pennsylvania station.
 Private Watchmen
 Silk and velvet dealers occupying |. half mile along Madison and Fourth avenues have added to the number of their private watchmen and in addition, almost without ex- ception. have connected their .estab- lishments by electric alarm signals with private agencies who maintain automobile patrols to respond to signals.
 Elsewhere where storerooms and vaults are crowded with merchan- disc of inestimably value the same elaborate precautions have been taken. Private detective agencies are reappling harvest greater than ever by furnishing special guards for iewelry firms in the theatre and shopping districts They have long been engaged to supply armed es- corts for nay roll messengers and now have been able to extend their activities greatly to their advantage.
 Tn the score by major robberies during July five successful attacks were made on cashiers or clerks re- turning from banks with the weeks pay roll and there were seven hold ups of jewelry stores or salesmen. steel armored cars, long in use for the transfer of cash securities and other valuables, are mora commonly seen on the streets than before. The holder of the highwaymen seem to have turned their attention from cigar and candy stores to the ticket booths In subway and elevated sta ticns.
 What Is being done Is based large ly on the police records For July these show among other things:
 Six murders.
 Twenty major roeberies agsregat- ing a. loss of S600,o00.
 Forty odd thefts each under sl'- 900.
 In the meantime the police are ex- tending their lines as is possible. The famous Maiden Lane jewelry district has been made prohibitive area after nightfall by the reestablish- uhent and reinforcement of the "dead line" at Fulton street and the organization of a special police force for tho financial district. In the past the Fulton street line has been held with great success. Its regulation Is simple. The police are under instructions to arrest every one with a criminal taint appearing below that lihe after dark.