Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-08

| any change of heart and now were will
| Ing to agree to any restrictive measures,
or whether they would insist on being
allowed to co-exist equally with other
roadside businesses of the necessity
type"
George Wharton Pepper, former SEN
| ator from Pennsylvania and counsel in
the past for certain billboard interests,
who presided at the conference, an
swered this by declaring that the con-
| ference would never arrive anywhere
unless each constituent body took into
account "the other fellows point of
view" AS the conference prepared to
recess for luncheon, Mr.. Pepper de-
clared he believed an agreement would
be possible along the lines of protect
ing roadside beauty.
This afternoon 10 proposals were ex-
pected to be presented to the confer
ence, out Of which, 1t was hoped by the
billboard interests and others concerned,
| that some satisfactory solution could be
found for present and future problems
dealing with business on the rural road
sides and preservation of esthetic values.
Hopeful Of Accord.
George W. Kleiser, president of the
Outdoor Advertising Association of
America, who is one of the key figures
in the conference since he represents
| the billboard interests, declared that
his association desired to bring about
some method of preserving natural
beauty. Taking cognizance OF the re-
fusal of the American Civic Association
to attend a conference in which the
billboard interests were represented, Mr..
Kleiser. said there had been some
intimation that his organization was
not sincere in the move to protect land
scape beauty, but declared his organi-
zation was hopeful of steps in this d.
rection and would cooperate.
He said his association was receptive
to a plan to establish rural road coming
to the end Of protecting rural beauty.
| He emphasized, however, that property
rights vital to the Nation" are in
Volved in such a movement.
Mrs. Clarence Fraim, chairman Of
the Legislative Committee of the Gen.
eral Federation of Women's Clubs.
denounced commercial developments
which mar the natural beauty Of the
land, and declared her organization was
opposed to the spread of the billboards
AutOists' View Presented.
| A. J. Montgomery, representing the
American Autonible Association, point
| ing out that statement had been made
on behalf Of the rights Of property
owners, declared that since automobile
owners of the Nation last year paid ap-
proximately 81 1000, 000, 900 in taxes, they
also have large interest in the matter.
| He urged adoption of a model law reg
ulating roadside businesses and stressed
that the safety of the public travelling
on highways was an important angle.
Mrs. w. L. Lawton of the National
Council for Protection of Roadside
Beauty, said that her organization de-
cided to come to this conference with
more than little hesitation" She
added that her association had not
| found that previous conferences of this
| type proved very successful in arriving
at constructive work
She predicted a tremendous Develop
ment Of coming, which would restrict the
use of property along rural roads. but
she declared that If billboards and other
roadside businesses were allowed to be
established at short intervals along the
roads, this development would not be
very helpful.
Revenue to Farmers.
Miss Elsie A. Canon of Washington,
owner Of rural property In Virginia,
pointed out that billboards were
source of revenue to property owners,
especially in times of drought and
poor crops, and assisted tenant farm
ers to pay their rent. She agreed,
! help protect rural beauty.
Mr.. Bard then arose to ask the bill
board interests present the direct ques-
| ton of whether their attitude had been
changed toward restrictive legislation.
Former Senator Pepper responded in
| the place Of Mr.. KleiSer by expressing
his opinion that the outdoor advertis-
ing body had been passing through an
evolution-first struggling for existence,
then seeing its own interests hurt and
now arriving at a larger conscience of
the interlocking interests of commerce
and the public. He predicted that the
Outdoor Advertising Association would
agree to and urge legislation designed
to protect beauty"
Killing Campaign Opposed.
Mr.. Pepper, however, said that any
proposal designed to kill the outdoor
advertising industry could not be ex-
pected to meet with the approval Of the
billboard interests.
A. N. Pack, president of the American
Nature Association, one OF several civic
groups attending the conference de-
| clared he felt good deal could be ac-
complished If all concerned could agree
on what constitutes a proper definition
of rural roads. While most of the rep
resentatives of civic associations and
others interested in the preservation OF
rural landscapes took active part in the
conference, some of them did so with
the reservation that their actions were
not binding on their organizations.
Sponsored by the outdoor Advertising
Association of America and the Ma
| tional Association of Real Estate
Boards, the conference was welcomed
by DR.. A. Skinner, executive secretary
of the United States Chamber of Com
merce, which had given the use OF its
Offices. With frankness and fairness
in the discussion, coupled with CO.
operation and teamwork, DIR. Skinner
expressed the hope that the conference
would reach conclusions not only salts
factory to all concerned but to the
public interest.
Realty View Stated.
Herbert Nelson, secretary of the Ma
tional Association of Real Estate Boards,
explained that his organization was in
terested in the problem of highways be-
cause it involved restricted use Of real
estate lands. Referring to billboards,
oil stations, food shops and other
"shoestring" businesses along the high
ways, Mr.. Nelson said the question had
been adequately and fairly solved in
city areas by coming regulations.
Speaking for his organization, he de-
clared that he had never heard any
good proof that real estate values were
being injured by the use of billboards.
He declared his organization does not
accept the aesthetic arguments adj
vanced by the billboard opponents.
The problem as A'whole. he said, Is one