Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
ANTI-ROADS|DE SIGN
I BILL TO Be PUSHED.
Prince Georges and Other Or
PLANTATIONS to Back
!. Maryland Measure.

One Of the most active organizations
IN the anti-billboard campaign in Prince
Georges County is the County Commu-
nifty Council, delegate body represent
ing more than 80 civic groups, which is
preparing to make another fight for the
restriction and limitation of outdoor
advertising signs during the forthcom-
ing session of the Maryland General
Assembly, converting January z.
With other organizations in Prince
Georges and Montgomery Counties, the
County Community Council is heartily
supporting the movement sponsored by
the American Civic Association for the
Identification of the highways leading
into the National Capital in time for
the George washington bicentennial
celebration in 1882. 1t was the Commu-
nifty Council, according to DR.. G. P.
Close, It's president, which was directly
responsible for the relocation of bill
boards around the Memorial Cross at
Bladensburg after it was realized the
SIGNS had been placed along the high
ways at that intersection IN such a
manner as to be dangerous to traffic.
Bills Chances Favorable.
Always alert in its endeavors to curb
the growth of the outdoor advertising
signs which clutter the Washington
Baltimore and other boulevards in the
county, the Community Council spon-
sored a bill which was introduced at
the last session of the Maryland Legis-
lature, to limit billboards. Despite the
fact that this bill failed of passage, the
Council, through its many affiliated as
sociations, Is preparing to wage an even
more strenuous fight during the next
session of the Legislature. With sentl-
ment steadily growing in favor of elimi-
mating signboards from the highways,
the chances of success for another bill
are regarded as more favorable.
billboard interests; which have re-
peatedly fought restrictive legislation,
are understood to be already active in
lobbying against any attempt during the
next session of the Legislature to curb
the roadside industry. For this reason
the details of the proposed new legisla-
ton have not been dtvulged.
Oliver Metzerott, former State Senator
and delegate -elect to the General As
sembly, Is framing the new bill as
chairman Of the councils standing COM
uaittee on billboards, DIR. Close said.
Veteran in Campaign.
Mr.. Metzerott is veteran cam
paigner for billboard restriction and
regulation. During his previous terms
In the Maryland House and Senate he
has introduced two anti-billboard meas
ures but public sentiment was rather
apathetic on the question at the time
and his bills failed to pass.
In 1929, at the direction OF the Com
n1unity Council, Mr. Metzerott, although
then not a member of the Legislature.
drafted a bill designed to limit road
side signs. This was sent to the county's
delegation. After some delay 1t was in
troduced in another form late in the
session but also failed to become law.
Through coincidence, the proposed
bill, as drafted by Mr.. Metzerott in 1929,
was passed by the New Jersey Legisla-
tllre the same year.
As a result Of his experience, Mr..
Metzerott is familiar with the difn-
culties which beset all anti-billboard
legislation, as soon as 1t raises its head.
He believes that only through a hard
night can any effective law be passed
at the coming session Of the General
Assembly.
Companies Ready to Fight.
The billboard companies are COM
batting proposed legislation levied
against them at all times, he said, and
hence are organized and prepared to
fight It effectively whenever it appears.
In Maryland, he claimed. the bill
board interests are well intrenched.
Being continually at work in one State
or another, to combat all movements
against billboards, the companies which
erect and maintain the signs are familiar
with and adept In the employment Of
every device Of legislative strategy.
Through innumerable hearings, post
ponements and delays, as well as direct
opposition they Sidetrack and kill many
o bill that would stop the wholesale
dissertation Of the scenery along Amer
ica's highways.
Against this well organized and we'll
financed pro-billboard lobbying those
seeking to restore and maintain some
eemblance Of natures grandeur to the
highways, Mr.. Metzerott said, too often
bring forth mere idealistic plans that
viii not stand the acid test of consi-
nationality.
Wants Present Law Enforced.
Mr.. Metzerott believes that not only Is
more billboard legislation desirable in
Maryland, and particularly in Prince
Georges and Montgomery Counties, but
adequate enforcement of the laws now
on the statute books is also needed, as
many Of the signs now cluttering the
landscapes are illegally placed
Some idea of roadside conditions in
Prince Georges County, close to Wash
tngton, may be seen from the pictures
which The Star presents in its Sunday
rotogravure section. Conditions on the
main highways In the county, notably
the Washington Baltimore boulevard,
have attracted Nationwide attention,
An automobile going at moderate rate
Of speed viii pass billboard on this
popular highway about every two Sec
orlds along most of its length. The
Marlboro pike also is cluttered with bill
boards and other forms Of advertising
signs.