The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-24
TO GIVE RICHMOND
GREAT WHITE WAY
Business Men Will Ask for More
Liberal Electric-Sign
Laws.


Laws.
The Common Council will be asked
by Councilman Nondcrlchr at its reg
nlnr meeting next Monday night to
approve mn ordinance libcraliziny tho
present regulations governing tho in
Stallation of electric signs 10 such an
, extent rs 10 pave the way for a now
era Of illumination in tho business dis
tricts-- particularly tho retail section
Of Broad Street.
Sketches OF Broad Street as IT would
appear literally illuminated were cx-
hibited TO members OF the Council Com
mitt"e on Ordinances last Thursday
night by 4 delegation Of business men.
who are behind tho now movement a
picture done in water colors showed
Broad street from the Empire The
htre 10 Murphy's Hotel sciutillating
under I'll. illumination of scores OF
electric signs OF every conceivable de-
sign. 1t reproduced the artists i'm
preston OF Broad Street dressed in
the electricity OF Herald Square. and
made strong impression on the mem
bcrs OF the committee.
Mobiles Prevent Law.
Mr.. Nondcrlchr submitted n tentative
draft of the proposed Law 10 the Or
dinancc Committee, but upon tho roc
concentration OF Assistant City Attor-
ncE Anderson. action on 1t was de-
ferrcd until IL was rccast 10 meet some
Of his objections. The ordinance will
be redrafied under the CITY Attorneys
direction, and presented nj the mex,
meeting OF the Council
The new law proposes to transfer
the authority 10 Er;St permits for the
erection OF signs that exceed in siz.
tho limits imposed By the present or
dinancc from tho Council 10 the
fuilding Inspector. Under the pres
cnt law the Building Inspector is
given authority TO issue "A permit for
the construction OF an electric sign
provided II does not exceed ten feet
IN height. aud docs not project over
the property lin. more than four feet
n special ordinance il required for
all signs exceeding tho dimensions
named. and signs projecting more than
four feet over the property line are
prohibited. The proposed law would
Hest in tho building Inspector the
right 10 grant a permit for tho cree
or size. that may be erected in con-
formity with III" Building Code aud
With duo regard for public safety
Fifty Hendy 10 Install.
According 10 business men who are
urging the passage or tn. amended
law, nifty merchants on Broad stree,
are ready 10 erect large electric signs
rs soon as present restrictions are re-
moved II IL pointed out that the
tedious process Of securing the en-
progress In this direction. since most
business men are chnry in applying
10 tho Council for privilege OF this
nature.
The amended ordinance. II IS stated.
is modelled after electric sign laws IN
force in the progressive cities of the
country. where this method of adver-
Using has reached large proportions
In none OF the cities famous for their
night illuminaticns. the patrons OF the
new ordinance claim, is special act
TO the Council for privileges Of this
ton OF a large electric sign.
Points Ont Objections.
Assistant city Attorney Anderson
examined the amended ordinance, and
pointed out sections which. In his
opinion, need correction. AS drawn.
the ordinance made tho lessee of the
building upon which the sign is to be
erected alone responsible for any dam
ages that might he asked OF the city
FOR permitting its erection. Colonel
Anderson suggested tina; the city
should be safcguarded by making the
owner OF tho building Jointly responsi-
bic with the lessee
The indefinite nature OF the Rrant--
amounting almost to franchise
thought Colonel Anderson. was another
Objectionable feature. FIe recommend
ed the addition OF n clause providing
for the revocatioE of 81 sign permit nj
the pleasure of the Council or other
municipality authority lie was In
ciined 10 think also that there should
he small tax on all signs erected un-
der the ordinaucc--Just as taxes are
now assessed against areas
Meets General Approval
conncilmen who have looked into
the matter have expressed themselves
In favor OF an amended law that would
meet the ends OF safety, and ut the
same time. make 1t easier for mer-
chants 10 install effective electrical
displays. The matter 1t is believed.
may with safety lie left with the
building Inspector. who would in every
case make sure that the building Is
strong enough to take care of the PRO
posed sign, before granting n permit
Tor its installation.
The delegation that appeared before
the ordinance Committee brought \
large number OF photographs showing
elaborate electric signs In operation
IN Southern cities. where nbcrai
policy toward their erection is fol-
lowed
The business men behind the move
incnt. 1t IL stated. are concerned chief
~ about securing Il more liberal cleo
sric sign law. The question of whether
the council or The Building Jnspector
shall be the agent issuing tho permit
Is u secondary one, since any plan tina,
VIII insure dispatch will he satIsfac
tory III framing the amended ordi-
nance, the City Attorney will have the
assistance OF the Building Inspector
and the city Electrical Department.