Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-11
SATURDAY. -. NOVEMBER II, 1916
BILLBO.ARpSs

the Paclhc Some one facetlously remarked that q
!. appropriate name would be the Boiling Pot.
IL certainly seems that subject problem is
always arising here to disturb the equanimy Of our
fflifg 81
Just at the present time in spite Of the keen inter
and excitement of the presidential election the
subject Of bboards is once more the front and
g is arousng much public interest.
The statement is made that the ladies have boy
eotted not only the articles which have been adver
tised on the billboards but also were responsible
for the boycotting of the recent performance by
Mrs. Ingalls, at the opera house. This they indg
nanty deny
The Standard Dictionary definSs boycott in the
following terms: Boycott. v. I. TB combine against
by refusing 10 deal with or associate with 10 place
products or merchandise OF under ban. Boycott n.
Concerted abstinence from socialpr business inter
course with person.
Legally and technically there is doubt that
the ladies are not CARRYING boycott. according
the strict Interpretation Of theiword but for all
practical purposes we believe that the action the
part OF large number OF ladies Of the Outdoor Cir
cle in refusing purchase articles advertised on
The 1boards, is in the generally iaccepted term of
the wordfa boycott, and il is this action on their
part which is deprecated by large number Of the
most reputable businessmen in the city.
1eaderS' among ladies' nave openly Stated IN their
meetings that they have refused to purchase goods
and have suggested 10 the members Of their organi
cation that they also carry out such plan. They
have also made the statement in letters to manufac
turers that large number of the ladies Of the city
would not purchase goods il they were advertised
thet blboards.
There Is no use in qubbling over the legal or tech
meal definition of the word for we believe that the
action or the ladies amounts for all practical pur,
pose toa boycott, and believe that this is very
unfortunate example in this city.
Now for the practical results:
A number of boards have been removed A large
number still remain and instead of advertising ar
ticles of general and beneficial use, large number
of the billboards advertising various forms OF
tobacco and cigarettes and chewing gum. We be-
lieve the effect Of these advertisements upon the
youth of the city is far deleerous tian twice
the number Of bilboards advertising goods of gen
eral household value.
This campaign has been carried on for the past
five wears and If the control of the bllb0ards had
not been in the hands of such reputable man as
Mr.. Frazier. we would have had him advertising all
sorts of patent medicines, and whiskeys and liquors
Of various kinds. This community ought to be
gratefbto Mr.. Frazier for consistently maintaining
his standards.
This campaign can be carried on for another five
years but we do not believe that the bilboards
he entirely eliminated. They are legitimate and
well Recognized form of advertising This paper
Is in hearty sympathy and accord with all efforts to
improve the moral and physical conditions in this
city, and in making this city of the most beau
cities in the world We believe that bllboards
in residential sections Objectionable. Why is il
not possible for some committee to be appointed
to, draw up some practical comprehensive plan to
settle this problem!
We offer as tentative suggestion some such plan
as this: Limit the area in which billboards shall
pai street on the east Beretana street the north
Liliha street on the west and the waterfront Give
Mr.. Frazier two years in which he will agree to re
move all of the bboards outside of this area. Ask
him to Limit the number of billboards in this area
say TO one hundred at the present time, and during
the next five years reduce the number at the rate
OF ten each wear until there shall be not than
fifty biheards left within this area. and that they
shall be placed at certain given places and not put
up indiscrminately.
This paper has not approached either the ladies
or Mr. Frazier such plan, but We feel that both
sides for the good of the community, ought to rec
oonize tie value of CARRYING ont such scheme, and
that il would result in greatly improving general
conditions and that this form of advertising would
NOT nysove objectionable in this city. Also that the
,art;cles he advertised on the billboards would be
.pcb as would not be Objectionable in any way
Mr. .Ftazier has undoubtedly invested thousands
90 dollars in this business and we have heard him
,rata the statement that he considers his business
i worth AZ a conservative estimate fifty thousand
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