Smyrna times., 1907-06-19
WOMEN CRUSADE AGAINST
SHOW BILLS AND POSTERS
PROTEST AGAINST OEPACING BUILDINGS.
FENCES AND TREES WITH UGLY SIGNS.
Ask Town COunci ln Session Friday Evening
TO PrOmuIgate Law Making il Mlsde-
meanOr For outsiders to Post Such Sigus

The women of Smyrna representing
the Twentieth Century Club, the Kings
Daughters, the Local WOmau's Chris
tlan Temperance Union, the Benevo-
lent Socisty, and the teachers of our
Public Schools, have started a crusade
to do away with the defacing of build
lngs, fences, trees, sign boards, and
posts with signs, advertisements and
show bills, which are not of firms or
persons doing business in the town of
Smyrna. This matter was brought off
cially to public notice Friday evening,
by Councilman John p Hudson, who on
behalf of the women, presented petit
tion to the Town Council. "Many of
these signs, say che petitioners, "are
an outrage on the public which finds
itself forced to read about patent medi-
cines, articles of foods, tobacco mix
lures, ETC., instead of securing a clear
view of what is, according to our local
pride, town of exceptional interest
and beauty. Some of these signs are
vulgar; all are offensive" The petit
tion is as follows:
To the Town Cnunc 0 the town Of Smyrna-
Esteemed Sirs:-Ne, the undersi gned petitioners
having the general welfare Of the town of Smyrna
et heart, and desiring to do what is in our power
to make our town both attractive and helpful to
Its citizens, ask your aid in the removing of all
such signs aud ADVERTISEMENTS which delace any
o. the buildings, fences trees, sign boards posts
etc, OF our town. and which are not the signs or
advertisements OF persons or firms doing business
III the town of SMYRNA, Many of these signs are
an outrage on the public. which finds itself
forced 20 read about pat mt medicines, articles of
OF, tobacco N XtureS, eIc., inSte d Of securing
cle9r view of what is, according Ia our local
pride town scene Of exceptional beauty and
interest. me of these signs are vulgar all are
CHSnslVe. They dlStigure our streets. are often
grOtesque in form. and constitutes public nui-
sance. They are in keeping neither with good
taste nor sound morals. Ought not a proper re-
gard for the civic education of our people. and
for the feelings of those who have taken an inter
est in the beauty of our town, be enough to com
pei rigid restriction Of this form of advertising?
Are theIe not ample ways of calling attention of
our people 10 any of the things they may need
without despoiling the appearance and attrac-
! tivenesS of Smyrna?
We also wish 10 express dissatisfaction to
| many of the show bills and posters that enter
/ tainment and amusement companies at times
/ Haunt before the public eye, and we ask that
! only such bills or posters advertising any circus
snow, theatrical troupe etc, be allowed 10 appear
upon the sign boards and elsewhere within the
! town of Smyrna, as may meet with the approval
! OF censor appointed by you. If there is no 10
Cal ordinance, or police law, to redress the grev
/ ance we bring to your attention, we DO ask that
/ II be made by proper legislative enaGtments the
poIicy OF the town Of Smyrna that town property
! shall ifet be obstructed, disigured or made ugly
/ by tvertisements; or that the evil be remedied
/ by the taxation CfSuch Objectionable signs and
] advertisements in manner that will prove pro
| hiDltlye. In full appreciation of the many wise
| enactments for the good of smyrna that you have
I made in the past, we present this petition with
! our names subscribed, in the hope that you will
/ again act for the further good of the town and
| provide ample ways and means Tor the redreSS
/ Of the within named grievances.
By order of the Club,
/ Evelyn 7. Boyer, President Twentieth Century
Club of Smyrna.
/ NJ. Edith Beck, Recording Secretary
| Elizabeth Mcdowell, President Kings Daughters
! Anna d. HOugh. Recording Secretary
1 Kate Z. Smithers, President WOmens Christian
Temperance Union.
! Laura B. Porter Recording Secretary
! Lydia Mcdowell, President of Smyrna BenevO
lent Society.
! Lizzie stephens, Secretary.
John P. Buriette Elizabeth C. Middleton
Edward l.. POntz Mary E. Spruance
/ f. ParrOu T. w. Spruance
E. Hough A f. Middleton
The petition caused more or less
comment in Council and some little
debate was given to the subject. The
question asked was "who are to be the
judges of such signs and where is the
line to be drawn?" Council was uu-
able to take any definite action in the
matter and on motion of Councilman
Robinson the petition was laid over foi
another meeting.