Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-07-03
PROTECTING THE HIGHWAYS

One of the laws passed at the last
session of the legislature, which be-
came effective March 81, 1917, is be-
ing commonly violated In this Sec
tion of the state, doubtless without
the violators knowing that such law
exists,
1t is an act to protect the highways
and preserve the beauty of the land
scape. 1t reads as follows:
An act concerning business or
commercial advertising on private
property and upon public roads, pro-
viding for the punishment of VIOLA
tions of the act and the abatement of
nuisances resulting therefrom.
Be it enacted by the Senate and
General Assembly Of the State of
New Jersey:
Whoever paints or puts upon or in
any manner affixes to any fence,
structure. pole, rock or other object
which is the property of another,
whether within or without the limits
of the highway, any words, device,
trademark, advertisement or notice
which Is not required by law to be
posted thereon, without first obtain
ing the written consent of the owner
or tenant of such property, shall
upon complaint of such owner, or of
his tenant or any municipal or public
officer, be punished by fine of not
more than ten dollars. Any word,
device, trademark, advertisement or
notice which has been painted, put
up or affixed within the limits of q
highway in violation of the provi-
sions of this section shall be consid-
cred public nuisance, and may be
forthwith removed or obliterated and
abated a2X person.
III a. m ISSt9 qf Ssrsns acts inconsist, iInscsoesn.s1isstt,
and this act shall take effect imme-)
diately.
Nine states now have law Of this
kind making 1t unlawful to post ad-
vertising signs on a highway. The
National Highway Protective Society
has been most active In urging this
legislation, and 1t Is actively engaged
in seeing that the law Is enforced in
the various states where 1t has been
| adopted. Signs nailed to trees not
only destroy them, but afford an ex-
cellent harboring place for insect
pests. Moreover. a highway posted
Unfortunately with advertising
signs is most unsightly and spoils the
beauty of the surrounding country.
New York state passed such q law
year or two ago and since that
time advertising signs have largely
disappeared from the highways and
property owners are cooperating to a
large extent in having signs removed
from private premises.
Just at present the National High
way Protective Society is busy IN
New Jersey carrying on its campaign
and educating the people as to the
real meaning of the law. The socie-
the shore from Long Branch to
Atlantic City. Its agents are now
working in this direction, 30 that q
warning to those who are inclined to
use trees and posts along the high
ways for tacking up signs Is timely,
in order that they may avoid making
| trouble for themselves.
The agents of the National High
way Protective Society make 1t their
business to remove signs from trees
and posts along the highways and to
! warn those who thus use trees for
their advertisements that they are
violating the law, and are likely TO
find themselves in trouble unless tho
practice is stopped.
Cooperation on the part of the
people in seeing that this law is en-
forced will go great way toward
beautifying the highways and making
the tour through the state far more
enjoyable, at the same time doing
much to preserve the trees. which
are sadly in need of just such pro-
| lection as this affords