The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-14
With the Opening Of SprinslWork
Should be Commenced, a.
The BILL BOARD NUISANCE
astoria Should Have Civic Improve
nssns League to 6eaatify she City
and Make u pressntable for the !
Thousands Of Visitors.


Ne work for the Astoria Civic Improve
ment League. There win be thousands
of eastern visitors here AMI the public
tnoroughfares should be put in a con-
dition to make presentable appear
ance. Ola rookeries should be torn
down, yards cleaned up and the city
generally renovated. The observation
Of the Biblical writer that .'of the max
ing Of books there is no end is of
equal force when applied to the max
ing OF organizations for the promo
ton of public good Organized effort
has so multiplied that the average
man has been confused and burdened
BY the appeals for assistance and sup
port which 1t makes.
The man who makes one organiza-
ton flourish where two grew before de-
serves to rank as a public benefactor:
therefore, to twist somewhat the phi
Iosopher's reference to the propaga-
tion of grass.
An organization which represents
the consolidation OF two organizations
by the same token should have an
especial appeal to the American public,
and such body is found in the Amer
ean Civic Association. This associa-
tiou marks a distinct epoch in Ameri-
can development-the coming of the
time when the reign of the almighty
dollar is to be disputed by the love of
beauty, which has heretofore remained
dormant in the hearts OF our people.
Two of the largest and most active
and most practical of general improve
ment associations have been in session
during the week in st. Louis. They
are associations which not only think.
talk and write for betterment, but
which also plan, work and fight for
betterment; militant, diplomatic asso-
ciations, which achieve results by con-
sentrating their energies at opportune
times.
'The scope Of their mission includes
almost every ideal outside of the do
main of politics proper, by the pur-
suit of which the conditions of life may
be improved so as to add to the COM
surt and happiness of communities
IAN ranks of society-if there are
ranks-owe appreciation to our ma
tional municipal improvement associa-
tons for material advancement, culti-
walton of regard for the beautiful in
public work and propagation of fine
civic patriotism in all the big cities
and many Of the smaller cities. These
associations have educated municipal
tiles to the possibilities for systematic
betterment which exist everywhere and
which have been ignored persistenly
and conscientiously in the rapid and
disorderly growth that is characteristic
of American settlements, irrespective OF
size or location or resources.
Inspiring is the American Civic AS
sociation's report from Cleveland. That
city has just adopted a comprehensive
building code, which will well repay
the study of those who are interested
in. or charged with the duty Of look
tne after. the erection and sanitary
conditions of buildings. But the most
significant provision is the one relating
10 sipnboards. This declares all sign
boards and billboards now or hereafter
erected on any residence street within
go feet of any park, boulevard, or
driveway Except on one-sheet boards
for adverting premises that are for
sale) to be nuisances, and the inspector
Of buildings is given power to abate |
them. Moreover, the code provides
that mo sign, signboard, or billboard
shall be placed upon any public prop
arty, nor shall any such sign or bill
board, inclusive of placards, be fixed
or placed upon any building so as to
project beyond the street line" with
out an official permit. An officer of
the association declared: This legisla-
ton (made possible by the Ohio muni-
cipaI code of 1900 places Cleveland
well to the front in combating the
growing billboard evil We do not re-
sail any other city, except Boston, that
has gone so far In restricting its
growth. This action should lend en-
couragement to other cities that are
seeking to abate similar nuisances,
and points the way.
Charter Vetoed,