Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-29
UNS|GHTLYS SIGNS
ATTACKED BY A.A.A.
Danger to Motorists by Lit
| tering Roadside With Un-
official Markers Cited.

An appeal for State officials every
where to bring about the removal OF
unsiehtly signs that create driving
hazards and mar the beauty OK the
landscape has been sent broadcast
from national headquarters of the
American Automobile Association.
In calling upon officials, principally
those in charge Of road maintenance,
construction and supervision, the A.
A. A. bases it's appeal on two points,
First that there is so much adver-
tising material along the highways
that the motorist constantly is con-
fused between these variegated signs
and those set UP by the authorities
10 increase the safety and conven-
fence of his journeying; and. second.
that in many instances the scenic
beauty. which is the great appeal in
the call of the roads. Is marred be-
cause of the unsightly, tumbledown
shackS of all kinds that constitute an
eyesore to the Automobiles travelling
along many of the main highways.
Good Work Is Admitted.
In regard to the cleanup campaign
urged by the national motoring body,
Thomas p. Henry. president of the
organization. has the following to say:
Every one recognizes the splendid
work the State highway departments
are doing not only in road mainte-
nance and construction. but also in
the vital work of sign-posting and
marking these roads. At the same
time there can be no doubt that the
prevalence of advertising material
side by side with legitimate road signs
is q constant source of confusion to
the motorists. In this respect the big
commercial advertisers appear to be
n great deal more careful in their
methods than are the other agencies
tnat resort to outdoor advertising to
attract the motor tourist.
"On recent motor trip T noticed
dozens of cases where filing stations
and farmhouses seeking tourist trade
put up signs along the road that an
peared a deliberate imitation of warn.
Ing signs set up by the State author
tiles.
Examples Of Signs.
For example. | frequently saw a
sign something like this, Slow Down
Tourist Accommodation Ahead or
Slow Down - Pawhawk Gasoline
Ahead When the motorist sees the
slow down he Immediately thinks of
danger ahead. and the practice we
complain of cannot fail to annoy and
confuse him.
Sign posting is getting more and
more vital with the increase in traffic
and the resultant congestion. OF
course, a man has a right to place an
advertisement on his own property or
TO rent ground on which to place II
but the safety and convenience of the
travelling public is paramount.
1T Is entirely feasible to work out
plan whereby advertising material
would be placed farther from the cen.
ter Of the highway than the warming
and direction signs. in order that the
latter may be easily and quickly diff.
ferentiated. This is something to
which the State highway departments
may well give their consideration.
Would Remove EyesOres.
while on this matter of a cleanup
along the highways, it is high time
that something was done to eliminate
eyesores in the form of dumps. un-
tenanted and tumbledown shacks
from the roadsides. OF course. these
are on private property and so may