New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-13
THE PLAGUE Of SIGNS.

The regulation OF public advertising is one of
the functions of government much neglected in
this country. Everybody realizes the unpleas-
antness of the huge, glaring signs which cover
roofs and dead walls in our cities, and the posi-
tive nuisance Of the riot OF paper posters in all
sorts OF proper and improper places But we
have taken no effective means Of repression In
This city we have law fOrbidding the main
tenanee OF bilibOards in proximity 10 q public
park but walk by the vacant lots along Cen
tral Park will show thar our city officials make
not the least attempt AT enforcement
London has probably been more wantonly sign
ridden than New-York; there even the omnibus
windows are so plastered with advertisements
mat the passenger cannot see out; but English
pubic opinion is being aroused and progress Is
Deing MADE toward abatement OF the abusive
intrusion OF advertisers upon public attention
IN England the habit Of regulating such mat
tiers under the fiction that wrong is done to the
property or another has been curiously mani
tested. fiashlight sign, for instance being for
bidden on the ground that It might scare horses,
though the real object was aesthetic. In France.
Germany and Belgium the problem is more
frankly dealt with by paternal governments. In
Berlin signboards are a public institution. main
tained at specified points only under permits
limiting their size and character Rome and Paris
also regulate the size and position of billboards
Leyden itself manages the public advertising.
and Edinburgh has lately secured the right 10
say where advertisements may be placed and
prevent their erection where they could iniure
the attractiyeness of the city. The Belgians
nave by prizes encouraged the erection OF hand
some and attractive signs to take the place Of
the ugly Ones and have made good progress in
convincing advertisers that they could secure
more favorable attention 10 their wares nv an
pealing 70 the public sense of beauty than nv
shocking people into knowledge OF their exist
ence.
Reviewing the recent efforts TO rid cities n,
Objectionable signs in The Improvement az
Towns and Cities" Mr. Charles Milford Robin
son. its author, says: "The London laws as
sumption that billboards should be subject 70
taxes, like other rentable property. sugyasts
the feasibility OF regulating advertisements nv
e tax graduated according 10 the superfcial
''area OF the sign" This is a plan which has
frequently been urged by The Tribune. and we
are glad 10 see that IL is being favorably consid
cred by students Of city problems AS is well
known, signs are generally taxed throughout
Southern Europe, even a name on a door or a
railway time table In a station having 10 bear
its stamp in some countries Sucn taxation
would be extreme and unnecessary here. A
sign Of moderate proportions on a mans own
premises simply identifying his place of bust.
ness might reasonably be exempt but there is
no reason why multiplication of signs sbould
not De discouraged Taxes might be graduated
a. Mr.. Robinson suggests, according to the size
OF Signs and posters. They should also be grad
leo according to position A sign on the