Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-29
overhanaina Street Signs.

our eltiZeES SenefatiS. iHe iiiSloiS VI
this matter in the City Council the
journal understands to be substantial
~ as follows:
AT the meeting in April, this year,
the following ordinance was introduc-
ed in the Common Gouncii:a
Augusta. Me. April u, 1913.
Be 1t ordained by the mayor and city
council of the city of Augusta, as fol-
lows:
Section /. No person shall place or
cause to be placed. nor continue, nor
suffer to be continued when placed, any
sign, sign box, 1ettered lamp or show
board or other fixture in the nature of
an advertisement of any description or
material whatsoever, so that the same
shall extend over or upon any sidewalk
or street within the limits of the city
of Augusta, except as hereinafter pro-
cded.
Section @ No Illuminating sign of any
description whatsoever shall be erected,
maintained or altered so that the same
shall project into any street within the
city of Augusta more than hNe feet from
the building line or the inside line of
said sidewalk. nor shall the lower edge
of any sign be less than fifteen feet
above the grade of the sidewalk. and all
signs shall be steadfast and free from
Section 8. No illuminating sign of any
description shall be erected. maintained
or altered, unless permit in writing
board of mayor and aldermen. by the
person, firm or corporation desiring to
erect or alter such sign.
All applications for such signs shall be
accompanied by descriptions of such
drawings as are necessary to fully ad-
wise and acquaint the said city officers
with the erection, construction. weight,
materials and manner of securing and
ia of ifiD IaI mr. ell %
Permits shall not be necessary II signs
be placed on the walls of buildings and
fiat against such buildings, where such
signs do not project beyond the liens of
such buildings upon which the same are
to be erected.
Section A. Every sign now existing and
which is now maintained contrary to
the provisions hereof shall be forthwith
removed or altered changed or cut down,
so as to fully comply with the provisions
hereof, and which shall not have been
removed or torn down, or SO altered and
changed within go days from and after
the passage of this ordinance so as to
be brought within the provisions hereof,
by the owner thereof. or by the person,
firm or corporation in charge, possession
or control thereof, shall be deemed a vio-
lation Of this ordinance and punishable
as hereinafter provided, and every sign
now existing and which may not be in
conformity to the provisions hereof, shall
not be continued after said go days shall
have expired.
Section s. Illuminating signs shall be
those signs having visible electric bulbs
or lenses surrounding the same or form
ing the letters thereof. or which are il
Illuminated by artificial means to the eX-
tent of at least one light to every square
foot.
Section g. All Illuminated signs erected
or maintained in accordance with the
provisions of this ordinance must be full
Iy illuminated at least six nights each
week. from not later than one hour after
sunset until at least 10 O'Clock p. NJ, and
the board of mayor and aldermen shall
cause to be removed any illuminated
sign which is not kept lighted as pro-
vided in this section or any sign, sign
box illuminated sign, lettefed lamp or
show board of any description or mate
rial whatsoever. which is erected or
maintained contrary to this ordinance.
Section Z. fBond). Every person, firm
or corporation. before engaging in the
business of erecting, hanging or altering
signs IN public ways or places within the
clerk a bond with surety approved by
the mayor and aldermen in the penal
sum of 5000 Tone thousand dollarsl, con-
ditionai to indemnify and save harmless
the city of Augusta from all cost, dam
age or expense of any kind whatsoever,
which may be suffered by the city OF
Augusta because of negligence ON the
part of said person, firm or corporation
in the hanging or erecting of said signs
Such bond shall be annually renewed on
the first day of January.
..
provisions of this ordinance shall be fined
not less than five nor more than twenty
dollars for each offence, and like PEN
atty for every day any sign, sign box,
Illuminating sign, or iettered lamp, or
showboard of any description or mate
rial whatsoever erected or maintained
contrary to the provisions hereof, shall
be continued after the expiration of %
days from the passage hereof.
Section .. All ordinances or parts OF
ordinances Inconsistent herewith, or CON
trary thereto, are hereby repealed
The foregoining ordinance. vas ia
bled in the Common Council, but sub
sequently, at the June meeting, receiv-
ed unanimous passage in that
branch, was sent to the Board of AL
dermen, and there tabled. 1t still lies
on the table in that body.
Meanwhile. an order creating a spe-
ter, with authority to report by ordl-
nance or Otherwise, was passed in both
was passed directing that committee
to report. No report has yet been
made.
The particular method in which the
matter is taken up is probably of no
great interest to our citizens, but that
the question merits careful considera-
ton, and an early hearing, we believe
all will agree. If the ordinance in It's
present s feftu be found objectionable
q ssfsatises, lege Is aaaple opportuni-
tysto ainehd it sbefge its final pass
ase. IE
s'he General prih9iple Of the ordi-
nance impresssssus as extremely mer-
i,orious. We believe the business men
on Water street, practically without
exception, will cheerfuIly submit 70
the small temporary inconvenience and
expense involved in the project. i'm
view of the great Improvement in what
iy otherwise one of the very finest
business streets in New England.
We Swallow the Camel.
The old Boston Advertiser hits the
nail on the head Gas usuan in tha. fol