Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
120|L FIRMS ASKED
TO BAN B|LLBOARDS
American Civic Association
Drafts Agreement to
Be Signed.

Encouraged by the attitude Of some
Of the large oil interests, the American
Civic Association has submitted pre-
posed form Of agreement to IL national
oil companies using billboards In the
washington area to gain cooperation
in restricting the number Of signs on
the highways.
The step was prompted largely by
the attitude Of w. C, Teagle, president
of the Standard OIL Co. of New jersey.
In response to q protest against de-
facement CT the landscape received
from q member Of the National Capital
Committee Of the association, Mr..
Teagle had written: IF we have bill
boards outside Of the District which
are a DETACHMENT, am sure we VIII
want them removed. We do not own
any Of these boards, and am asking
that a survey be made to determine
our position.
I'VE have abandoned plans for an
economical structure on Pennsylvania
avenue and will build an architectural
monument We wish to have 1t in
accord with plans for the new Nations
Capital"
Gulf Removes Signs.
Coincident with the issuing Of let
ters to the heads Of the IL oil COM
panies, announcement was made
through The Evening Star that the
Gulf Refining Co. Of Pittsburgh, Pa
had decided to transfer its bilIboards
on all main highways In the Wash
in9ton area to locations which would
Re Itv1ohiecfiona able
Referring to preparations for the
washington Bicentennial next year,
the term Of agreement submitted to the
oil executives for their consideration
reads as follows:
I'VE. the undersigned, representing
various concerns engaged in the sale
and distribution of motor oils and
gasoline, as our part toward the beauti-
ication Of our National Capital, for
this event, agree that We win cause
the renewal Of all advertising signs
advertising our products and located
within 20 miles of the District OF
ing conditions:
Il. That signs en- premises where
our products are sold are not to be
disturbed.
q. That all other of the, principal
oil companies in the territory anected
by this agreement will enter into q
similar pact.
80. The signs are to be removed by
the end Of 1881, except where existing
contracts prevent. We agree that
such contracts are not to be renewed
The letter accompanying this PROPOSE
ton said, in part:
THE oficials Of the IL gas and oil
companies using outdoor advertising IN
- 10 GQntfAl
would like to discontinue the use OF
billboards in the region If they could
be assured their competitors would not
Immediately take up the space.
We have therefore drawn up form
Of agreement which we take pleasure in
submitting for criticism. in the hope
that you will cooperate with us in
preparing form Of agreement which
you think would be acceptable to the
gas and oil companies We also ask
your suggestion as to the best method
Of presenting the~forn Of agreement to
the IL companies after It's text has
been approved.
Nest local merchants and hotels in
Washington have agreed TO discontinue
the use of billboards along the highway
approaches to the National Capital"
Advertisers Given.
The communication also cites the list
OF gas and oil products that are not
advertised on the landscape in the
Washington region as Cities Service,
Conoco, Sonoco and Texaco.
The presidents and companies TO
which the American Civic Association
has appealed to restrict the use Of out
coor advertising follow:
L. B. Blaustein. American Oil Com
pany. Baltimore, Nd: j. p Kennedy,
William Robinson a. Son Co., Carolina
and Dock, Baltimore, Md. lAutoline) +;
John w. Sherwood; Sherwood Bros,
Baltimore, Nd (Bstholine Motor FueD !;
G. r. Nutty. Gulf Refining Co, Pitts
burgh, Pa. Col. j. H. Graham, Indian
Refining Co., Lawrenceville, Ill (Hayo-
line): S. MeSser. Quaker State Oil Re-
fining Co., Oil City, Pa; James A. Tai
bot, Richfield Oil Co., Bartlett Build
irR. Los Angeles, Calf: A. s. Carter,
Shell Eastern Petroleum Products, Inc,
New York City; Harry F. Sinclair,
chairman, Sinclair Consolidated Oil
Corporation, New York City; Walter C.
Teagle. Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey,
New York City STANDARD and Esso) :
Axtell J. Byies. Tide Water oil Sales
Corporation. New York City (TydoiJ
and c. H. Ellingwood. Wolverine Lubri-
cants Co, Inc, New York City (Wolf's
Haadl