Against Thieves
Here's the automatic protection

There are so many ill-intentioned people who are on the lookout for their neighbor's property, especially when that property consists of bearer bonds or jewelry, that those concerned must seek to protect themselves by the subtle means that science, or at least ingenuity, places at their disposal.
There are a few curious ones worth mentioning.
The most important consists of a new, rather expensive but quite practical arrangement of the large mirrors that make up the jewelers' shop windows. They are undoubtedly thick, but at the mercy of a somewhat forceful blow from a cane. Electricity can now come to the rescue, thanks to a special device obtained, explains the "Revue de la Confection," by mounting the glass, which closes, at its front, the front or the display case, in which these objects are displayed, in such a way that, at the slightest attempt at breaking in, the inevitable thrust that the burglar exerts on this glass, trying to break or cut it, is enough to establish an electrical contact.
This, triggering the action of a relay and spiral springs triggered by it, tilts a certain number of shielded shelves around their longitudinal axis of articulation. These, by thus passing from the horizontal to the vertical position, on the one hand, instantly allow the jewelry (for example) they support to slide into bags or containers designed to receive them; on the other hand, are transformed by momentary juxtaposition into a protective metal curtain interposed between the exterior and the interior of the store or display case. These electric mirrors are beginning to be installed in the shops along the boulevards.
There are also picturesque devices for protecting the sensitive points of cash drawers and safes.
One, particularly ingenious, uses a system of clicks, set in motion by the slightest touch of the lock, which is covered by an imperceptible safety cap, to take a photographic snapshot, thanks to a sudden simultaneous spark. The prying eye, already surprised by this unexpected light, has no idea that a tiny device, embedded in the wall of the safe, has taken their portrait, providing undeniable proof. Indeed, it is always the face that approaches the point to be forced.
Another discreet system ejects an indelible green liquid which, by staining the burglar's hands, indisputably accuses him. Yet another, as soon as the lock is tickled a little sharply, releases a mephitic gas, which doesn't kill the fisherman, but numbs him for a while, while help arrives.
There are even detonating locks, equipped with small automatic revolvers that can shoot the prying hand. It's right to defend oneself by all means.
Without going that far, can't we take certain easy measures in all offices where money is locked away?
Since, says "France Postale," the security of our offices is at stake, and the administration says it doesn't have the money to connect us electrically to the gendarmerie or the police station, which would be very expensive in some places, why shouldn't each cash register be equipped with a bell, like a school bell, for example? It would be placed on the roof of the building, and the cable would reach the head of the cashier's bed. In the event of an attempted burglary, the alarm would be sounded: the bell would be heard over 300 meters away. The purchase and installation of the bell would be minimal: about 100 francs per bell."

Let's not hesitate to take the necessary measures.

It's really too absurd to be at the mercy of burglars.

HENRY DE FORGE.