San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11
Effective NET.

would nave 10 take tlc car apart u
find il.
Effective NET.
While it is true that automobile
numbers cannot be altered without
to the eye Of the expert. any more
than United States currency can be
perfectly counterfeited, still it is pos
sible 10 make changes enough TO fool
the average person. For this reason
the Buick system Of Identification not
only complicates matters for auto
thieves by complicating the numbering
system. but also offers a widespread
and effective net in which TO catch
the thief who steals a Buick and to
recover the solen car.
No matter where in the United
States a Buick is stolen. word is I'M
mcdiately flashed 10 the factory at
Flint. from whence il is relayed back
TO every branch and distributor in the
country. These in turn re-broadcast
the bulletin 10 all the dealers and au-
thOrized service stations in their ter
ritory. In a very short time every
member Of the Buick organization j.
on the lookout for the car.
NEW SYSTEM.
The thief stands little chance Of
driving into Buick service station
with his loot and driving out again
-:ndctected. for every employe there
is looking for the car which he drives.
In most eases theft is reported
To the branch or distributor in whose
it occurs at the same time
that word is flashed to the factory,
in order 10 waste as little time as pos
sible in getting the word to the neigh
bOrhOOd in which the stolen car j.
likely TO be found.
This system Of reporting stolen
cars, in conjunction with Bucks al
most infallible numbering system. has
recovered many cars for the owners.
But it must be remembered that no
numbering system IS absolutely unal-
terable. For this reason, Mr.. c. u.
Crawford, who is in charge Of the
stolen car department in the Buick
factory, makes a few suggestions
which owners should observe.
ADVICE TO DRIVER.
IN the first place." Crawford says.
Never leave your car even for
minute without locking the gear shift
and the doors, and any other locks
you may have on your car. Return 10
the place where you parked few min
utes after leaving. as the auto thief
always starts 10 work as soon as your
back is turned.
But all the locks in the world
went save YOUR car from clever
band Of crooks who have plenty Of
time and proper equipment. There
fore it is a wise move 70 have your
own private means Of identifying your
car IN order 10 make its recovery
more certain.
1T is good idea 10 be as original
ss possible in this Identification. Re
member, you are matching your wits
with men who will make every effort
70 prevent the car being identified
and they viii surely discover any OBJ
viOus marking.
i know Of one man who wrote his
name and address on a slip Of paper
and placed II inside the ball al the
top Of his gear shift lever. Another
pasted a similar slip underneath his
dashboard, so that it would be neces-
sary 70 put your head under the dash
and use a light to find it. However,
any such stunt that is used once is
likely TO be less effective. The prop
er procedure Is 10 figure out some
thing entirely original.
1T is a good idea 70 take the Sc
rial numbers Of the tires Of your car.
and the numbers Of any parts and ac-
cessories not made by the auto MANU-
tacturer. The more ways you have Ot
identifying the car, the harder it will
2s for 3 thief to get away with it.