Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-22
OBJECTS TO BANNERS
COMMISSIONER VESTS MOTION
FoRBIDDINa PERMITS.
Believes Streets Should Not Be Used
for Advertising Purposes
Effect Of Order.

1t is understood that Col. Biddle will APP
prove the recommendation of Commissioner
West that In the future no more banners
will be stretched across the streets of the
city.
1t was learned today that the enforcement
of such an order will likely interfere to
some extent with the plans of the local
democratic campaign committee. This COM
mittee 1t Is stated, proposed at later date
to suspend across Pennsylvania avenue a
large banner bearing the pictures of Par
ker and Davis. and when the members of
the committee learned of Mr.. Vests action
with regard to street banners, it is said.
they were somewhat displeased.
Commissioner West stated today that II
application is made to the Commissioners
for permission to stretch banners, whether
political or otherwise, across the streets ne
will recommend that the application De re-
jected. This decision evidently will change
the advertising plans of the democratic
campaign committee 1t is stated that in
the past considerable trouble has been
caused by banners thus suspended. On one
occasion, it is stated, chimney was torn
down, and on another occasion a large
banner fell down in the middle of the street.
The Tapping of the banners also frightens
horses along the thoroughfares, and 1t is
not considered advisable to permit them in
the future.
NIT. VESTS Recommendation.
Commissioner West recommended to his
associates on the board of District Com
mssioners that former order of the board
be amended to the effect that hereafter no
permits shall be issued to suspend across
the public streets of the District of Column
bia any sign or banner This action was
taken by Commissioner West late yesterday
afternoon, and it was suggested by his OBJ
tha lave han l.
vana avenue at 10th street northwest, adj
vertising the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation.
1t is stated that last month, during Mr..
Vests absence from the city, the Y. M. c.
A. applied for a permit to suspend two
banners. one across Pennsylvania avenue at
10Th street and the other across New York
avenue near 18th street The matter was
referred to the police department and a re-
port was made that there would be no OBJ
lection to the banners If they were ele-
waited sufficient height above the level OF
the pavement and if they were allowed by
law. On the 30th of August while Com
missioner West was in the city, but the day
before he returned to his office, the appli-
cation was approved by Commissioner Mac
farland. and the banners are to remain up
for a period of sixty days.
In 1901 the Commissioners adopted the fol-
lowing order relative to banners across
District streets:
THAT hereafter no permits will be issued
to suspend across the public streets of the
District of Columbia any sign or banner
designed to advertise any fair or other en-
terprise outside the District of Columbia"
This order was issued it is stated to
prevent agricultural associations in Mary
land and Virginia from advertising their
fairs by means of banners over the city
streets. Commissioner West stated that his
action of yesterday was not directed
against the Y. M c. A. but he Is opposed
to the use of the streets of the national
capital for advertising purposes.