Evening star., 1927-05-14

A series OF Il proposals looking to
the control of billboard and outdoor
advertising. both voluntarily, by nd
xertiSers and purchasers of advertised
commodities and. where necessary,
BY appropriate legislation, have been
drafted by the National Association
Of Real Estate Boards through its
city plan committee. The proposals
have been approved by the executive
committee of the association and sub.
mitted TO the 65T member boards Of
the association for their discussion.
The recommendations are based on
the general principle that outdoor ad-
vertisirg, while 1t has a legitimate
place in modern economic life, should
be controlled so as not to destroy
values in the residential sections OF
cities. lower the appearance of bust
ness streets or detract from the gen.
earl public heritage in the enjoyment
of the view along country highways.
Overhanging signs of all kinds on
business streets are disapproved with
out qualification in the proposals,
'Sniping." which results in the past
ing of telegraph poles and the paint
ing of advertising screeds on wayside
rocks. also is disapproved. Candidates
for office. in particular. are urged by
orderly forms of advertising in the
conduct of their campaigns.
Purchasers Aid Sought.
The proposals advocate the elimna.
ton Of all advertising signs within
the limits Of all public highways and
from all public property.
Purchasers of advertised commod-
ities are asked to join in securing the
elimination of billboards from scenic
highways. Billboard companies, which
have themselves instituted a five-yeaT
program for standardization of their in
dustry. are also asked to cooperate
by refraining from the placement Of
signs where their use detracts from
the appearance Of the section.
In addition the proposals put before
member real estate boards a series of
definite standards for billboard use
suggested as those which realtors
should hold themselves bound to fol-
low in their own use of outdoor adj
vertiSing.
Fred e. Reed of Oakland. Calf. is
chairman of the city plan committee
which formulated the proposals. The
formulation follows study of the gen.
eral problem of outdoor advertising
over a period of some months by a
special subcommittee of the city plan
committee of which subcommittee
Alex Lonnquist, of Chicago, is chair
an.
Proposals Recommended.
The proposals as placed before con-
Etituent boards of the association are
as follows:
@ /. City billboards in the commercial
or Industrial districts may, under def
mite control be conceded place in our
business life.
4 2. The National Association of Real
Estate Boards favors the elimination
of all advertising signs within the |
limits of all public highways and on all
public property EXCEPT signs relating |
to the use of such public properties. |
s. 3. We disapprove of the use of over |
hanging signs on public thorough |
fares, in business districts or else
where.
g 4. We recommend the elimination |
Of all billboards as advertising signs |
In rural sections where they destroy
the beauty of the scenery or the
charm of the landscape, and to this
end we ask the cooperation of all
realtors and of all billboard companies
In refraining from placing billboards
in such sections; we further recon-
mend that IL necessary, legislation be
enacted by the various States to Sc
cure the elimination of billboards in
such sections.
IS s. We urge the elimination of signs |
tackled to trees, or painted or pasted |
on telegraph poles, fences and the