The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21
THE BILLBOARD CRUSADE.
Important Decision In California Other
states Pass Laws,

-Vs
In the vigorous campaign against the bill
board inaugurated by the American Civic
Association, says Park and Cemetery, credit
for the most substantial actual results thus
far must be given 10 California.
Los Angeles has passed an ordinance i'm
posing a tax Of one cent a square foot, and a
court decision from SAINT Clara county, to
the effect that a billboard may be declared
a nuisance, is a distinct advance over any
ruling thus far secured from the courts.
Bilboards have hitherto been successful
In sheltering themselves behind the specious
plea that a nuisance is not a nuisance when
it affects only the eye. and courts have held
that objections to binboards were aesthetic
objections n not subject to legislative
action.
The decision referred TO Ia the first strong
evidence hat this feeling il passing out OF
the legal mind, and foreshadows the time
when an fence to the eye will be regarded
IA much a nuisance as an offenoe to the nose.
II is the first recognition Of the right to pro-
hibit billboards under the police power.
The question raised in the Santa Clara
case was not one of the power TO impose a
license, or in any manner 70 regulate the
erection Of billboards. but concerned the
power Of absolute prohibition on the ground
that they were offensive to the sight and
good taste.
The decision OF the court was oral,
but was conclusive on the points raised.
The court held that under Section S47p
OF the civil code anything that was offensive
to the senses could be declared a nuisance
and prohibited. and that an offence to the
sense Of sight might be included with null
sances offensive to other senses. More
over, the degree OF ofensiveness might
not be equal to all individuals, but being
within the statutory definition Of a nuisance
the municipal authorities had the right TO
declare the offensive object to be a nuisance,
and with the discretionary power OF the
board Of trustees the courts would not
interfere.
4 bill recently passed in the upper house
OF the Iowa Legislature to give cities power
to license or regulate skating Kinks. dance
halls. c~lairvoyants. and like things and
persons was amended on the floor TO in
include billboards and give to city councils
the power to prohibit them.
An ordinance regulating the erection
OF signs has been passed by Atlantic City,
n. j. Some OF the terms are as follows:
No structure shall be used as an advertising
sign attached TO a building whose surface
VNNOtoc W. NhNtNout pVf-
init from the building Inspector; detailed
plans must accompany applications for
signs; the inspector is given authority TO
inspect and condemn unsafe signs; a certih-
cate 81 approval shall he given for all signs
properly erected; fees shall. be charged
Tor signs at rates ranging from 81 for 100
foot signs. up to 500 for 6OO-foot signs;
a penalty, not 20 exceed 500 may be I'M
posed for violation Of the ordinance.
New York city. through it's Assistant
Corporation Counsel. is waging a war
on illegal billboards. Fiv suits have
already been entered against the o.. j.
GUIDE Company. The Chamber OF Com
MERGE Of the city Of Pittsburg is under
taking the restriction OF billboards In
that city and similar action h being
taken in Cincinnati. Boston is in the throes
Of a protest against a beer sign on the
Hotel Pelham, fronting the Boston Com
mon, for which the erecting concern pays
the owner OF the premises 5000 a year.
Notwithstanding which the said owner has
succeeded in having the assessment on
his building for tax purposes reduced 81, 900
within the year. h situation In Boston
is made rather amusing by the fact that
Donnelley, the boss billboarder, has been
disciplined by the National Billposters'
Association for erecting this sign against
the desires OF the national association.
The Legislatures of the States OF Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, New York and Massa-
chusetts have each billboard restricting
and taxing acts before them now. with the
billboard men fighting any taxation, regu-
lation or supervision.