Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 December 1937 — Page 33

PAGE 32

AUTOMOBILES—

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17, 1937

~ State’s New Title Card Holders (at 25 Cents Per) Seen ~ By Desautels as ‘Open Sesame’ to Automobile Thieves

Serial Numbers Placed i Plain View; Keys ah To Get, He Says. _

The 1637 law requiring motorists to place transparent title card holders on windshields beginning Jan. 1 will encourage automobile thefts by making it easy for criminals to get keys, George O. Desautels, manufacturers representative for automotive and other products, charged today. “An official of one of the largest automobile manufacturing companies pointed out a glaring weakness in the new Indiana law during a recent conversation in Michigan,” Mr. Sesame said. “Automobile

manufacturers put the serial num-

and the door must be opsned to find this number. “Under this new law, the serial number, which is on the registration card, is in plain view on the windshield. Any automobile theft "ring can get fhis serial number, go to a locksmith or car dealer, procure a duplicate key for 25 cents, get into. the car and drive away. They wouldn’t even have to go to the trouble of breaking the lock. » Termed Nuisance’ Mr. Desautels added that “motorists do not mind co-operating in anything that is constructive, but this is a farce.” He said he believed the transparent holder “could bs manufactured for mugch less than the figure which the manufacturer claims.” Meanwhile, State Motor Vehicle Bureau employees defended the law by pointing out “that some sort of registration card container has been required in Indiana for scveral years.” Motorists now must buy these holders from the state. The prices is 25 cents each, and it is estimated the total bill fo Indiana car owners in 1933 will amount to more than $250,009. It was reported that N. Shure Co., Chicago, holder manufacturers, are to receive aporoximately $122,C00. and $130,000 is to go into the State General Fund. Mark Rodenbeck, State Motor Vehicle Bureau assistant commissioner, said that for several years previous to 1933, the State sold title card holders at 50 cents each. “The 1935 Legislature repealed the old law, and allowed motorists to use any kind of holder,” he said.

Dealers Association, testifying in \support of a resolution for an investigation of ' manufacturer-dealer relations, presented figures today in an attempt to show that the average dealer loses money selling new and used cars. Edward Payton, Cleveland, management counsel, testifying before an Interstate Commerce subcommittee headed by Rep. Robert Crosser (D. O.) on the Withrow resolution, said most dealers have to rely on profits from service and sale of parts to stay in business. Mr. Payton presented two surveys, one for 1930 based on the experience of 83 dealers which showed a net loss of $7.37 per $1000 of retail sales. profits enabled a final net profit of $10.47 per $1000. The other, for 1935, showing the experience of 314 dealers, revealed a néw car profit of $24.76 per $1000, a used ‘car loss of $101.47, a combined loss of $16.71 and a final profit of $20.12 due to service and parts profits. Mr. Payton said that in 1926, T0 per cent of new car sales involved no trade-ins but that in 1934 92 per cent involved trade-ins. “We sell about three used cars for every new car,” he said.

Herman Shafer, State Association executive secretary, was in Wash-

“Several companies made these holders, and the price usually ranged from 17 to 25 cents. Some: times holders ware given with the purchase of a car. “The State’s profit on the new holders is not to exceed eight cents! I estimate, since handling charges will have fo be figured against the price” Rates Not Reduced Persons attacking the new holder law point out that California, the only other state having a similar act, has received no reduction in automobile theft rates. H. M. Kiser, American States Insurance 0. assistant secretary, said no change has been made in the California rate since a general reduction of 5 to 10 cents on each $100 was placed in effect on a na-tion-wide scale about a year ago. Mr. Desautels claimed that vandals could make sure of the ownership of a car and damage the vehicle without fear of detection by the police. Another objection to the system is that “nuisance salesmen” could easily compile lists of motorists names along any street where a large number of automobiles are parked, he said: Mr. Rodenbeck said he doubted that the new registration card system would be used to advantage by thiefs since he said most rings of this kind “already know how to steal cars without breaking in and without keys.”

Claim Average Dealer

Loses on Auto Sales WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U.P). — Officials of the National Automobilé

GOOD VALUES oN Long Time Credit

MEN'S 0’COATS and

ington today attending the hearing.

'Party Is Scheduled . For Shell Employees

A Christmas party and dance for :

Shell Petroleum Corp. employees of Indiana and Kentucky is to be held tomorrow night. in the Claypool

. division manager, said several hundred would attend.

This is what all the well dressed automobiles: will ber of a car on the door stanchion ; ang must be wearing in 1933. Not only that, but the car owner must pay the State 25 cents, under a

Stockroom and service

Hotel Riley Room. J. L." Wadlow, |

Arrangements are in charge of | Indiana Division Office employees, |

shield.

including ©. E. Hurst, chairman; J. M. Griffin, publicity; E. R. Stauber and R. L. Van Arsdal, tickets; V. Montgomery and J. Spears, program; Miss Helen Baker, Miss Nemlch Baker and J. H. Rushton, decorations; R. G. Weimer, O. W. Wiles and Miss Sarah Cummings, door.

The Hoosier Motor Club is W posed to President Roosevelt's

8 =

1937 Act, for the privilege of displaying his car’s Togisiration number and other acts on the wind-

recommendation that slashes be made in Federal road expenditures, Todd Stoops, secretary-manager, said. SAN Mr. Stoops also said his organization is opposed to the President’s proposal that the Secretary of Ag-

riculture be required to apportion to.

the states the annual amount authorized for appropriation and approve projects of proposed State

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Red Cab Co. to Place

| Ford Fleet in Service

A fleet of 39 new Ford cabs is to ‘be placed in service by the Red Cab | Co, Charles C. Babcock, Thirtieth 1 & Central Sales Co. president, announced today. Mr. Babcock, head: ing the Ford agency, said negotiations for the purchase were concluded yesterday.

bina

Dodge Dealers Hear

Ridenour, Regional Chief

K. A. Ridenour, Dodge Brothers Corp. regional manager, was principal speaker at a business meet-

¢ Please Mote The MOCGODORES and the BOUCLES are really

very extra special, Sie

ing of Dodge dealers in the Indianapolis Athletic Club. recently. Other speakers were William Purves, assistant general sales manager, William Heil, regional used vehicle merchandising manager, and T. C. Ewing, district Tepreseniative.

Goodrich Stores Use

“Dee-Tee” Process

The Indianapolis branch of Goodrich Silvertown Stores, Delaware and North Sts, is using the new Circo “Dee-Tee” process for

flushing differential and transmission gears, Manager E. B. Oscars said today. He claimed the new

‘method completely removes the old

lubricant.

CLUB PLANS PARTY, CLOTHING FOR NEEDY

Needy children are to be given cpthing at the Caravan Club Christmas party Thursday noon at Murat Temple. Gun Club members of the Murat Shrine are to be honor guests.

In charge of party arrangements | | are PF. R. Jones, William A. Hoef- §

gen, W. Harrison Marsh, W. T. Rose, Ezra EH. Stewart and E. F. Sexier, Dr. Thurman B. Rice, Indiana

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