Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-28
SIGN CONTROL BILL
PASSES ANNAPOLIS
HOUSE UNOPPOSED
Maryland Highway AdvertiS-
ing Measure Goes to
Upper Body.
EARLY REPORT EXPECTED
BY SENATE COMMITTEE
Delegate Lawrence P. Williams of
St. Marys, Co-Author of Legisla-
ton, in Chair When Adopted.

BY STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 28.-With-
out single dissenting vote, the House
of Delegates late yesterday passed and
sent to the Senate the bill to place
Maryland's billboards under the super
vision CT the State Roads Commission,
require the outdoor advertising COM
panies to pay 5000 annual license fee,
ard tax each individual sign at the rate
of one-hah cent a square foot year.
As was the case when the measure
passed its second reading not word
of debate or comment greeted the bill
when it was announced for third read
ing and the formal roll call. which fol-
lowed recorded all members present as
voting in favor of the bill.
st. Marys Delegate in Chair.
Through a coincidence, Delegate Law
renee p. Williams of st. Marys County
one of the four delegates who intro
duced the measure, literally engineered
its final passage. having been called to
preside few minutes before 1t was
reached on the calendar. 1t was the
first time during the session that Speak
er Francis A. Michel relinquished the
chair.
The unanimous vote in favor of the
bill was seen as an indication not only
of the almost universal sentiment in
favor of billboard restriction and regu-
lationt but also OF the actual need for
such legislation.
The passage of the bill through the
House without ripple of opposition on
the floor was only accomplished, how
ever, through days and nights of work
on the part Of those who sponsored the
bill.
Every effort was made to insure its
constitutionality before 1t was intro
duced. After being printed and dis
tributed in the files of every member,
the hackers of the bill invited criticism
and comment. AS a result of the sug-
gestions then advanced It was amended
in committee in such a way that 1t
quickly received a favorable report,
which was adopted Tuesday.
Principles Not Sacrificed.
Although the amendments in a
measure weakened the. effect Of the bill
they did not, in the opinion Of the
Delegates sponsoring 1t, sacrifice the
principles sought, and the bin as 1t now
stands is expected to accomplish much
toward the improvement of the de-
plorable condition Of the States road
sides.
Among those who saw the bill adopted
by the House yesterday was Mrs. Ed
ward H. McKeon, State chairman for
| billboard restriction of the Garden
Clubs of Maryland. Encouraged by the
favorable reception the measure has
received in the lower branch, Mrs. Nc
Keen yesterday foresaw no serious oppo-
els fv1 fNn
If, as is confidently expected, the bill
becomes a law, Mrs. McKeon declared
the Garden Club and all of the many
| other womeas organizations in Mary
land backing the measure would insist
| that 1t be enforced An appreciate i'm
! provement in the appearance of the
| States highways should then be &C.
complished in time for the George
Washington Bicentennial next year, she
said.
When the. bill reaches the Senate
Monday, it will be referred to the
Finance Committee, headed by Senator
Iansdale @. Sasscer of Prince Georges
County. As two Prince Georges County
| Delegates helped introduce the bill in
| the House and the entire delegation
/ gave its active support to its passage
| Senator Sasscer has shown particular
| interest in the measure and is expected
| to have his committee return a favor
able report as promptly as possible.
Has Week to Act.
Should the Senate follow the example
Of the House and pass the bill without
comment, 1t will easily avoid the danger
of being caught in the legislative jam
which marks the closing days of the
session. The upper branch now has an
entire week to act on the bill, as the
current session does not end until
| April 6.
Beside Delegate Williams, the House
members who introduced the bill were
Miss Iavinia Engle Kent r. Mullikin
and Oliver Metzerott.