Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-19
LAW TO BAN 'SN|PE'
SIGNS IS SOUGHT.
Dawson Declares Plans
Would Permit Cleanup Here
Before BiCentennial.
CONTINUED From First Page.)


approach the problem from the view
point of protecting the interests of all
taxpayers concerned, and without
knekling dow nto the demands of the
various groups of billboard people:
Whatever compromise Resulted, ne
said was with due regard to the legal
right of those in the sign business.
Mai Dawson admitted that obJec-
tions might be raised to the phraseology
of one of the proposed amendments
governing the maintenance of b1llboafds.
Speaking only from his personal opin-
ion, he said, he believed it far better,
from the viewpoint OF civic beauty ana
improvement, to permit the rehabillta-
ton of existing billboardS which can
not be removed than to continue the
policy of letting them simply rot away.
The word maintenance" was Included
in the proposed law because 1t was In
the act of July /, 1902, for the reason
it was desired to see that existing signs
are maintained in safe CONSTITUTIONAL
condition.
For two years, Mai. Dawson pointed
out, the District has been compiling
list of the authorized billboard sites
within the District and the task 1t not
yet completed, owing to the d1ftcultles
encountered under earlier authorize
tons.
Compromise List Seen.
+cBut with a new sign code we will be
able to have all the big companies agree
to a compromise list" Maj. Dawson ex-
planned, and establish definite sites
outside of which no billboard can be
added
TThen the question arises as to what
should be done with the existing boards.
Is it better to let them rot away finally
lk0E Jpa
way under strict regulations"
At public hearings held on the sub
feet of regulation, followed by several
conferences, he explained, the billboard
Sroups expressed their willingness to
agree to definite limited lists of sites
and adhere rigidily to the new code II
they would be permitted to repair and
improve their existing billboards.
Ten years from now, Maj. Dawson
said, there would be fewer of these legal
biliboards If refusal is given to rehabili-
tate them, but 30 per cent of them
would be a worse Disagreement to the
city than they now are.
81 believe, personally, 1t would be bet
ter for Washington to have q limited
and decreasing number Of billhoards
deeently maintained than a limited
though increasingly decaying number
Of existing boards" he said.
Mai. Dawson said that undoubtedly
In this respect the District Commits
sioners, III whose hands the bill imposes
strict regulatory and controlling pow
ers would be guided by public senti-
ment.
Association Takes Firm Stand.
The American Civic Association,
which undertook to inaugurate the
campaign to clean up the highway APP
proaeheS to Washington, Is strongly OPP
posed to any compromise by which ex-
isting billboards can be rehabilitated
Miss HaFlean James, its executive Sec
rotary, declared the quicker the bill
boards rot away the sooner the District
would be rid of them,
Two other local bodies have Joined In
the campaign to improve billboard and
sign conditions in Washington and Its
envtronS, The Conduit Road Citizens
Association last night adopted reso-
luton approving the bill now pending
in Congress to give the District Com
nnissioners more authority over the sit
nation. At a recent meeting the Arts
Club of Washington took action follow
ing a general discussion Of conditions
Gin the District and elsewhere"
The Arts Club resolved unanimously:
THAT the Board of Governors OF the
Arts Club indorSes the movement spon-
sored by the American Civic Association
for the abatement of the billboard and
roadside sign nuisance in the District OF
Columbia and throughout the United
Etates, and recommends to the Arts Club
membership full corporation in all
efforts to eliminate this source Of dam
ger and DETACHMENT of scenery"