Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-14
HINTS FROM ABROAD
Effort to Bring About improve
ment in Civic Beauty.
FREE DESIGNS FOR HOUSES
Effect on the Appearance of City
Streets.
TO DO AWAY WITH BILLB0ARDs
Columns Along the tThoroughfares
for Posters, Which Are Source
of Public Revenue.

Americans can get many ideas from
| their neighbors across the waters, the
latest being to beautify their towns by
the practical method for improvement by
architectural aid, says the Southern Arch
itect.
In America the plan has been to organ
ize city beautiful clubs, depending
almost exclusively upon the landscape
feature of the grounds which surround
the buildings. The clubs have indeed.
done wonderful work in upbuildins the
towns and cities in this country.
Taken in conjunction with the German
idea, which is most excellent, still great
er improvements could be made.
The tendency is almost as strongly evil
dent as the more distinctly unitarian de-
termination 10 abolish ulendicancy. i'm
providence and suffering from poverty
during sickness and Old age. An interest
ing phase of this policy is revealed in the
prize competition offered recently by the
authorities of a Saxon town in Germany.
For the Public Use.
The town council invites architects to
submit suitable plans for the front of
residential and business ediiices. These
facades should be I'm keeping with the
location and general character of the
place. and aim at fitting and harmonious
effects. within the reach of modest purses.
For substantial prizes are offered for the
most successful competitors, and other
projects are to be purchased. il deemed
desirable These plans will he placed
freely at the service of property owners
who decide 10 build or to alter existing
constructions.
IT is hoped by this means to combat
ur Torttllate and all too prevalent ten
denciea on the one hand toward monot-
onou5 uniformity, on the other toward the
baroque and grotesque. when architectural
details of projected edifices are often con-
fided entirely to builders destitute or
adequate training or taste for the esthetic.
The idea is certainly one which, If in
diligently carried out, should eventually
improve materially the general appear
ance of the towns where 1t Is introduced.
1t is of Importance in country like Ger
many, where even in villages buildings
are erected i'm continuous blocks. AS but
one side of a construction is exposed 10
public view, it frequently happens that
the services of an architect are rot
sought. This habit Of compact building,
even in small places. dates from the olden
time when dictated by the needs OF
mutual aid and protection.
How It Is Done in Germany
Billboards for advertising purposes are
prohibited in Berlin. Their place is taken
by pillars or columns erected at street
corners.
These columns. which are usually OF
wood and iron. are about twelve feet high
and three feet in diameter Built at the
edge of the sidewalk, they form a con-
privilege to any one else. The life OF
city.
1t is interesting to note. says the Cir
Gle. that the matter displayed on these
columns is more ia the nature of reading
notices than of pictures.
The privilege of erecting and using these
advertising columns Is awarded by the
city to the highest bidder. According
to the terms of the lease now in force.
the city receives an annual rental Of
about 500. 200, but cannot grant similar
privilege to any one else. TIL elife OF
the lease is ten years.
The price which the successful bidder
may charge for space is regulated by the
Berlin authorities All posters before they
are put UP must be approved by the po-
lice. Except in special cases the adj
vertising space is awarded according to
the order of application. The city re-
serves the right to demand the posting
of it's notices free.