Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-17
CRUSADE AGAINST
ALL BIG SIGNS
REAL ESTATE AGENTS TAKE
FAVORABLE ACTION
Women Of the Outdoor Art Club Start
the Movement - Lease Law,
Street Flushing and other
Points

It is decreed by two strong organiza-
tions that the real estate and other
signs that dishgure the landscape must
go.
At the recent meeting of the Los An
geIes realty board at luncheon at the
Hollenbeck hotel a communication from
the out door art section of the civic
association of Los Angeles, asking the
support of the realty board in move
ment to prohibit billboard advertising
and signs met with a very favorable
reception. A member of one of the
most prominent firms in the board and
one whose signs are decidedly con-
spicuous in certain places moved thal
it Is the sense of the realty board that
it should cooperate heartily with the
out door art section of the Civic asso-
citation in absolutely prohibiting the
placing of billboards, large or small,
in the city of Los Angeles. The motion
was carried by unanimous vote, several
members expressing themselves to the
effect that the prevalence of blllboards
and various signs throughout the city Is
q decided detriment and one that tends
to disappoint visitors who expect to see
the most beautiful city in the country.
The speakers thought also that the,
signs were of comparatively little
value; that they tend to create false
impression that almost every lot owner
is anxious to sell, and that the total
absence of signs would be likely to re-
suit in the public seeking out the best
class of real estate agents, and conse-
quently that it would benefit the men,
bers of the board.
1t was stated at the meeting that an
ordinance is pending which proposes
a monthly tax on the larger signboards
only, but in the opinion of the realty
men present at the meeting the small
signs, not infrequently as many as six
teen to twenty on a single lot, are
about as great a blot on the landscape
as one large sign, and the sentiment
was that a clean sweep should be made
If a legal method of accomplishing
that end could be found In this re-
gard the experience of Cleveland and
other eastern cities was referred to.
Pending Lease Law
Another matter discussed at the
meeting was the land lease law now
pending in the state Legislature, and
the board expressed itself by decisive
vote as in favor of the extension of
the permissible term of leases from fif-
ty to ninety-nine years. The expert
ence of Chicago, Cleveland, Baltimore
and other eastern cities with ninety
nine-year leases has been favorable, ac-
cording to communications on the sub
ject received from the realty organiza-
tions of those cities. replying to the
local secretarys inquiry.
Streets and Good Roads
The secretary reported having taken
up with the street department of the
board of public works the question of
thoroughly flushing the downtown bus
mess streets in order to get rid of the
mud and dust. 1t was explained that
arrangements had been made for the
use of compressed air flushing ma
chimes which have since been put into
operation. Several members of the
realty board, however, urged the re-
sumption of the thorough flushing at
night with water from the fire plugs.
as was tried with great success at the
suggestion of the realty board about
two years ago. This system is a feast
BILE one only during the winter months,
on account of the scarcity of water
later in the year but it was thought
that it should be again put in force at
the present time especially to remove
the dust in the rail grooves of the cal
tracks, which creates an almost intol-
cradle nuisance on certain streets, not.
ably West Sixth and Seventh streets.
The good roads question was dis.
cussed, the sympathy of the board il
this movement having been evidenced
by the attendance of the committed
during the recent county convention
While on the subject of streets anC
roads the board also resolved to ap
point committee to devise some prac
tical method of getting street improve
ments made within a reasonable TIM
and ObViatng the alleged delay in tn,
city enugineer's office.
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