Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

in half the time, thus more than
doubling the width of the streets"
Although the prophet missed it
badly regarding the motor vehicle
reducing the overcongeSted traf-
fic, he hit it of pretty we'll when
he said lit will free the horse
from the burden of drudgery."
Since many children of today
only see the best friend of man
when the animal is all be-rib-
boned and be-Spangled for horse
shows, it seems evident that the
horse has been relieved of the
drudgery Of a quarter Of a CEN
fury ago.
Within Reach of Workers.
! Another part of the prophecy
that came true was: Through
Standardization cars will be built
within the reach of workingmen.
The latter may then live in the
country amid the trees, the flow
erS and the birds" It also was
stated that the automobile was
becoming Invaluable to the ply
Sician, the fireman and every class
to whom it is important to travel
rapidly"
The traffic signal lights at
Georgia and New Hampshire ave-
nues are still up, but out. The
director of traffic has recon-
mended that Rock Creek Church
road be made one-way street
east. This matter is up before the
Public Utilities Commission, as it
means the re-routing of a bus
line.
The icy streets of last week
brought forth only a few acct
dents. The reason was that al
most every one was driving care
fully. What a pity it is that the
driving public cannot drive that
way all the time, whether the
streets are icy or not.
Speaking Of pitieS, is it not one
also that the White House fire did
not destroy the gateposts that
block the street between the Ex-
ecutive Mansion and the State,
War and Navy Building?
The Automotive Daily News
takes up the billboard question
recently in an editorial. It's opin-
ion ,as follows, is of interest:
Billboard Editorial.
"It is very generally agreed that
billboard advertising does not add
anything to the beauties of ma
ture. That is certainly the mild
est way Of putting the matter
that ultra conservatism can de-
wise. In many cases display adj
vertising Is an eyesore and a de-
Element Of rural scenes that
ought to uplift the minds of even
careless tourists. Such a conServ-
alive and careful organization as
the National Automobile Cham
Der of Commerce has recently ut
tered a protest against this form
of publicity in locations where it
interfereS with the travellers en-
joyment of natural beauty.
billboard advertising has le-
Ultimate place in the publicity
scheme of things. There are
many locations where it may be
used without offenSe. There are
stretches of dreary locality where |
few cheerful billboardS are a |
positive relief, but just as GER
tainly there are other scenes
where this form of advertising is
an abomination.
"It has been suggested that we |
pass a law against all billboards. !
Leaving out the technical QueS-
ton of whether any law could be
passed within constitutional linn
its forbidding the erection of sign
boards, we do not believe that a |
legal ukase is the best way Of
handling the matter. We would
scarcely favor even that panacea
of universal virtue, a constitu-
tional amendment.
1.-THE problem of saving or,
rather, of restoring the unmatch-
ed beauty of our American coun-
trySide is one of educating and
arousing public opinion. Don't
think that the billboard advertiS-
ing people are wholly selfish. |
Many Of them have shown a COM
willingness to cooper
ate In moving signs that made |
dangerous highway situations.
Let public opinion express itself
in unmistakable terms and the
billboard erectors and the compa-
MES which use them will join the |
movement to make this form of |
outdoor publicity inoffensive.
Automobile merchants can be |
of tremendous help in this truly |
worthy campaign through their
local dealer associations and their |
connection with civic bodies. AS |
the class most nearly affected by |
defilement of natural beauty, it is
their duty to lead the revolt |
against these conditions"