Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-31
SIGNS
PERMITS REFUSED
Arlington Supervisors Co.
operate in Drive to Improve
Capital Entrances.

Backing up the new coming ordinance
in an effort to improve roadside con-
ditions, the Board of Supervisors of
Arlington County yesterday refused
permits for the erection of two adver-
Using billboards in the lower end of
the county.
The applications for permits to erect
the signs gave the proposed location of
one as on the Washington Alexandria
pike near the power house, just north
Of the Alexandria line, and the other
as Mount Vernon avenue near Four
Mile Run. On the Washington Alex
andria pike, already cluttered with an
indiscriminate array of billboards and
signs, it was proposed to erect on the
landscape a, board 100 feet in length
and 10 feet in height.
Duncan Kills Requests.
Since the company sought to erect
both billboards in Jefferson district, of
which Edward Duncan Is supervisor
that official announced he would vote
for no more billboards in his district
for the present. The two other mem
bers of the board supported him.
The upper boulevard is the one most
frequently used by tourists en- route to
the historic shrine of Mount Vernon. It
passes along some of the most attractive
sections IN the country, and Mr.. Duncan
and other civic forces in the county are
doing everything possible to preserve
the natural landscaping from further
spoliation.
The refusal of the board to grant
these permits follows a policy put into
effect several months ago and strictly
adhered to since. With public sentiment
IN the county practically united in favor
Of Kidding the main highways of COM
mercial signs, the governing board has
gone so far as even to refuse to issue a
permit for the erection of a sign on
one Of the aviation fields at the end of
the Highway Bridge which would have
served only to advertise the business Of
the applicants.
Ban Extended to All Areas.
Arlington Countys recently enacted
coming ordinance prohibits the erection
of signs in residential areas, but the
Board Of Supervisors, backed by public
sentiment, has seen 1T to extend the
ban to all areas.
Ofdcials of the American Civic ASso-
citation who are sponsoring the campaign
to clean up" the highway entrances
leading to the National Capital before
the George Washington Bicentennial
celebration in 1882, were particularly
pleased when they learned Of this latest
action on the part of the Arlington
board With State highway officials
cooperating in Kidding the community
Of the numerous Illegal signs plastered
over private property, it was felt that
Arlington County soon would have its
"house in order"
Meanwhile, Maj John c. Gotwals.
Engineer Commissioner of the District
was taking the final steps today looking
to the resubmission of the Districts bill
for regulating and controlling outdoor
advertising to the Board of Commission
efs for its recommendations. He was
to confer during the day with Frederic
A. Delano, president of the American
Civic ..ssociation and chairman of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Mai. Gotwals was hopeful that they
could come to a satisfactory agreement
on certain features of the bill which
caused Mr.. Delano to request confer
ence.
PrOlOnging Board Life Opposed.
The only questions at issue appear to
be those involving public hearings be-
fore new regulations are adopted or
amended and the possibility, under the
proposed law, of the Commissioners
granting billboard interests the privi-
lege of rehabilitating existing signs.
Regardless of the appearance of duly
authorized billboards that are In a gen.
eral state of disrepair, leaders in the
local anti-billboard campaign are urging
that nothing be done that would pro-
long the life of existing boards.
Mai. Gotwals expressed his desire to
place the bill before the Commissioners
for final approval at the earliest posi-
bic time He believed the chances for
its enactment at this session of Congress
were favorable The bill already has
passed the Senate and Is pending before
the House District Committee.