Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-16

Resolved, That the American Insti-
tute of Architects in annual conven-
ton assembled pledges itself to do its
utmost to combat the billboard evil and
urges upon each of its chapters the full
est cooperation with all public author
tiles. societies ard individuals seeking
to abate this nuisance, and that copy
of this resolution be sent to the secre-
tary of each chapter and TO such or
CARNATIONS of the country as are known
to be working to this end"
1.-THE institute" Mr.. Kemper's COM
munication declares, has appointed
William Stanley Parker of Boston, TO
represent it on the Massachusetts, Bill
board Law Defense Committee, and 1t
is cooperating With other organizations
engaged in the effort to mitigate the
Disagreement of the countryside OF the
United States-by- products OF short
sighted commercial interests.
But any national work by the insti-
tute is incidental. The problem is one
which must be solved by each State
under its own sovereign power.
Herein lies a splendid opportunity
for public service by the chapters OF
the institute. The architect, from the
very nature CT his profession. should
furnish leadership in civic affairs"
The American Institute of Architects
already had urged civic organizations
everywhere to combat the growing bill
board industry when its board OF
directors adopted a resolution which
further emphasized the architects an
tagonism toward this form OF country
side displays. That resolution, which
also has been sent by Mr. Kemper to
the chapters of the institute, cites the
grounds for public objection to bill
boards and appeals for nationwide as
gistance in eliminating them.
Whereas" That resolution sets forth.
"The American Institute of Architects,
the national organization of the archi-
tectural profession in the United States,
Is conscious of the steadily increasing
number of signhoards, billboards and
other devices erected for advertising
purposes along the roads, highways and
boulevaris of the country. and,
whereas, This selfish dissertation OF
the landscape has aroused the antagon-
ism of those whose journeys by boat,
train and automobile are rendered dis
agreeable and dangerous by such bla-
tant and obtrusive ugliness, and,
Whereas, The institute, through its
chapters, and its individual members
resident in all sections of the country,
IS convinced that this type OF adver-
Using Is highly Objectionable to great
majority Of good citizens, now,
therefore,
BE it resolved, That the Board of
Directors of the American Institute OF
Architects hereby calls to the attention
of the civic organizations Of the
country, the public, the press and the
legislative bodies of the several States
q national condition which We regard
as inexcusable on either esthetic or
economic grounds. And further, the
board earnestly urges that those
agencies which are properly concerned
with the cultural and spiritual welfare
of the American people. as well as those
concerned with their material well
being and safety, take vigorous action
through the various means at their
command, to bring about by regulation,
legislation or the force OF public optIl-
ion, the complete removal of billboards,
signboards and related structures from
the roads, highways and boulevards OF
the country. except in such limited
areas as may be- set aside for such adj
vertising by direct action of the proper
authorities"