Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-10-07
PROTECTING SCENERY
Encouraging Progress In the
Fight Against EiIIboards.
SUCCESS HERE AND ABROAD.

Effective Measures Taken by California
Towns to Abolish Nuisance-Ger.
man Governments Good Work to
Guard Fine Sites From Misuse.
In the midst of Los Angeles fight
against the billboard nuisance it is
pleasing to note that not only Califor-
MIA and the United States, but nearly
all European countries, are taking up
the obliteration of these blotS In
more decided and effective manner
than heretofore, says the Los Angeles
Times.
A superior court Judge of Santa
Clara county has decided that East
San Jose. city of the sixth class.
has right absolutely to prohibit the
erection of any billboard whatsoever.
which news, coming from our own
state, is very encouraging to those
who have for many years pcrsistently
and consistently fought this desecra-
ton of our landscapes
1t IS far cry from Germany to Cali
fornia, but we nevertheless hear
welcome voice in the Continental Cor
respondence Nerlim when 1t records
the passage of Il sweeping law by the
Prussian government for the protec
ton of natural scenery and fine out
looks. 1t says in brief that the new
law will be very sweeping in It's effect
and will restore to their primitive
beauty many landscapes hitherto van
dalized by the Introduction of frightful
nt,,y f,o t,,va
have in many instances been desc
Grated by billboarls. in others by
buildings They are I'm the same tur-
moil regarding the country landscapes
as we find in California. as witness the
following extract:
That the beauties Of country scenery
also need Legislative protection was sad
ly proved by some industrial installations
on some beautiful spots of the famous
banks Of the Rhine river. The naturally
pretty valley of the upper Spree irmedt-
ately above Berlin has already been spoil
ed by encroachments of industry beyond
any hope of recovery. and the lovely
country between Dresden and Nielsen Is
losing more and more of its charms by
inconsderatc construction. These are only
the best known instances among many.
and it can be no question that in Germa-
ny the time has come for superintendence
as Ruskin demanded 1t for England.
Commenting upon the passage Of the
above law. the Literary Digest says:
The German government has for some
years exercised a parental care in pro-
tecting the best sites of its cities from
misuse deprivation. Venerable or pic
turesque historical buildings are kept safe
from destruction or thoughtless altera-
ton. The squares and streets are not left
IN tho 1ubirY1 had of the OrODcrtv
owners to mar or disfgure by works of
architecture or sculpture of offensive ug-
illness inharmonious design. The new
bill recently passed by the Prussian par
Lament goes further and provides against
anything in the way Of building or adver-
Using placards which tends to destroy the
beauty of mountain. meadow or river
scenery. Germany. by such legislation, Is
practically leading the world and those
whose sensibilitics Jared by the gau-
dy advertising signs which are becoming
more numerous and more hdeousy OBJ
trusive along our railway lines every year
will applaud the action taken by the Prus-
sian parliament and pray that 1t may be
taken as an example by other countries,
including our own.
Eastern periodicals devoted to park
news, landscape gardening. etc. all Of
which are waging war on the offensive
billboard, keep in close touch with the
fight in various parts of California. 1t
would appear from the following,
clipped from Park and Cemetery Of
Chicago as though we were well to
the fore in this commcnlable warfare
In the vigorous campaign against the
billboard inaugurated by the American
Civic association and ably assisted by the
daily press throughout the country credit
fctHr the most substantial actual results
thus far must be given to California. Los
Angeles has passed an ordinance impos
Ing tax of cent square foot, and a
court decision from Santa Clara county,
to the effect that "a billboard may be de-
clared a nuisance. is a distinct advance
over any ruling thus far secured from the
courts Billboards have hitherto been
Ntccessful in sholtcring themselves behind
the specious plea that n nuisance Is not a
nuisance when 1t affects only the eye. and
courts have held that objections to bill
boards We're aesthetic objections and
not subject to legislative action. The de-
cision referred to Is the first strong evil
dence that this feeling Is passing out Of
the legal mind and forcshadoWS the time
when an offense to the eye will be regard
ed as much nuisance as an offense to
the nose 1t Is the first recognition Of the
right to prohibit billboards under the po-
lice power and should have the careful
study of all civic Improvement workers.
Riverside were recently interviewed
on the billboard nuisance, and all eX-
pressed the desire to see the boards
abolished and to be relieved from this
class of advertising. One Of the lar
gest merchants said he only advertised
by this method because others did
and he wanted to catch every class Of
people that his competitors catered to-,
but would use his best endeavor with
the city council to have all removed.
The only excuse offered by any one
approached on the question was that
billbOards should be allowed for the
posting Of theatrical and other coming
Attractions, but that no local firm, rail-
road or other corporation should be al
lowed to use this questionable means
Of attracting public attention.