New-York tribune., 1901-07-15
REGULATION OF POSTERS.

England, like the United States. is suffering
from the plague OF posters. Neither CT the
Anglo-Saxon peoples has yet learned 10 derive
some coInpensating revenue from the nuisance,
but the English have anticipated us somewhat
In the serious discussion OF a tax, and they
certainly have gone far beyond us in the mat
ter OF municipal regulation of advertising signs.
On June "a The Tribune published a detailed
account of the French law levyng a stamp tax
on posters. from which. IL is believed. New
York might learn how at once 10 raise indi-
rectly much needed revenue for State purposes
TO the lessening OF the general property tax levy.
and at the same time to exercise wholesome
restraint upon the senseless multiplication OF
advertising signs and direct the sign painters
to more moderate and more rational but not
less effective displays. To-day the account Of
The French law is supplemented with a record
of the recent progress made In England toward
the regulation OF posters.
It must impress anybody who considers what
has been done III the country and what is
being done in the other that the movement for
regulation and taxation here is not A m Le fad
but a step in the advance OF civilization which
is being forced upon progressive communities
everywhere. France having a far more GEN.
tralized government than England a quicker
appreciation of artistic considerations in the
decision OF public questions and greater need
10 raise money by stamp taxes. has done
already what England has only talked about or
merely turned over TO parishes and county
councils. regulated after the true Anglo
Saxon fashion by judicial legislation under the
fiction that property rights are being interfered
with by signs the removal OF which is desired
for aesthetic reasons We in this country are not
much given to sumptuary legislation as the
Il
conservatism in dealing with such problems
and our Federal system offers US a chance to
abate the nuisance by laws which Will be more
effective than the local ordinances OF England
and at the same time will not involve the
interference of the nationa! government In the
everyday affairs Of the people. as in France.
The State is the proper regulator OF the doings
OF citizens. far they concern the comfort
and prosperity of others and the general well
fare. and TO the State the people look for laws
which shall free them from nuisances and pre-
serve the public health. II establishes a stand
ard Of tenement house construction. says who
may sell liquor and when shops may be Open
and no stretch OF its powers Is involved in its
declaring what sort Of signs may be displayed
In public places and what license tax must be
paid for the privilege OF displaying them.
The correspondence Of the hoIorary secretary
OF "Scapa" with the Chancellor OF the Exchequer
shows clearly the Justice OF tax on posters
and what il might reasonably he expected to
accomplish. II would not bar any legitimate
advertising. On the contrary. Il would give
greater comparative prominence 10 advertising
in moderation. No advertiser would be deferred
from making public ia suitable places the
knowledge Of his wares, and he would not find
. slight tax burden upon him. He would not
however. scatter broadcast mammoth signs
where they would not be likely TO do good, or
where smaller ones would answer his purpose
a. well. II composed with skill and made
setfsctive 70 the eye. A carefully graduated
-. combined with restrictions on sky signs