Evening star., 1930-12-12
ARCHITECTS FAVOR
BAN ON B|LLBOARDS
Local Chapter to Support
Any Plan to Cleanup
Nearby RoadSides.

Formal action putting the Washing
ton. D. c., Chapter of the American
Institute Of Architects unanimously on
record in support of the civic movement
to Danish billboards and roadside ugli-
ness from the main highway entrances
to the National Capital was taken at q
meeting Of the chapter last night in
the Cosmos Club.
The action Of the architects followed
presentation Of plans and purposes Of
the campaign before the civic section
Of the Twentieth Century Club at which
Mrs. Elizabeth Lawton of the American
Civic Association revealed by means Of
pictures to what extent roadside land
scape is being commercialized In the
vicinity Of washington.
immediate Need Stressed.
Gilbert L. Rodier, president Of the
local chapter of architects, presented
the resolution which pledged the chap
ter to back up sponsors Of the campaign
in anything undertaken for the pres
ervation Of the natural beauty Of the
highways from further dissertation and
the removal Of existing billboards, "il-
Legal signs and roadside nuiSanceS.
Mr.. Rodier particularly stressed the ne
cesSity Of accomplishing the purposes
of the campaign before the opening Of
the George Washington bicentennial
celebration in 1882 when upward OF
1000 visitors q day are expected to
arrive in the National Capital.
The Washington chapter of the ar
chitects has been foremost in cooper
ating with Federal and local authorities
in behalf of beautifying the city of
Washington and in maintaining strict
coming regulations. The question Of
the billboard situation, admittedly one
of the greatest handicaps in preparing
for the great celebration here in 1882,
has been discussed previously by the
local architects at various meetings.
Last nights action, however, was the
first time this influential body has taken
up on a formal motion.
Roads Are COmmercialized.
"It is a shocking offense to the
public the way the roads are being COM
mercialized," Mr.. Rodier said today in
discussing the purposes Of the cam
paign. "If there is any possible way
to get rid of these Objectionable bill
boards and signs before 1892 1t would
certainly help very great deal IN get
ting Washington ready for the Bicen-
tennial year. The Washington Chapter
of Architects has not considered any
plan of its own, but will give its whole
hearted support to anything that is
undertaken to beautify the roadsides In
preparation for 1882"
Through the cooperation Of the
American Civic Association the series
of pictures recently taken by Mrs. Law
ton in her survey of conditions within
20-mile radius of Washington were
exhibited at the meeting Of the archi-
tects. While the scenes are perfectly
familiar to most of the members, the
pictures were enlightening as to the ex-
tent of the widespread destruction to
scenic beauty along principal highways
and revealed furthermore the poSSibili-
ties of enhancing the landscape by re-
moval of signs.
Social Service Is Discussed.
The civic section of the Twentieth
Century Club comprising many proml-
nent. woman leaders in the National
Capital, evinced great interest in the
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