Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-17
MORE FIRMS Join
BILLBOARD WAR
Stores. Cafes and Inns Added
to LiSt-Further Access
sionS Expected.

Further evidence was given today of
the earnest desire of Washington busi-
ness men to cooperate in efforts to
beautify the highways within the
metropolitan area before the 1882 BIZ
centennial celebration, which is ex-
pected to bring upward Of a million
tourists to the National Capital.
Lansburgh & Bro, one Of the largest
department stores of the city, was one
of several firms to notify the American
Civic Association of its entire accord
with the campaign to eliminate bill
board advertising along with other I'M
slightly structures and roadside nui-
sances within 20-mile radius of the
District line.
I'VE are pleased to advise you
further that in view of the stand of
your association. with whose aims we
unhesitatingly approve, we shall not
again use outdoor billboard advertis-
ing" Mark Lansburgh wrote in behalf
of the firm to Frederic A. Delano,
president of the American Civic Asso-
citation.
Did Not Renew Contract.
In reply to Mr.. Delano's communica-
ton regarding billboards used by the
department store, Mr.. LanSburgh said
he was pleased to advise that Lans-
burgh g. Bro. did not renew their con-
tract for q number of large sign boards
in and about the city which we used
for advertising purposes"
Very few of Washington's depart
ment stores advertise on the landscape
except in q minor way as local dis
tributors, and most of these establish
ments have indicated their determine
ton to abandon even this form, which
O. ~ NJ
Sons Co. explained had been done with
out their knowledge.
From the management Of Olney Inn
at Olney, Md, the American Civic As
ISOLATION likewise received assurances
of cooperation in the elimination Of
road signs. Mrs. Clara May Downey,
proprietor, wrote: I'VE have never cared
for the signs, but while others used
them we felt it was necessary for us
to have some means Of directing guests
to our inn, since we are not on the
main route, which IL No. 81. Could you
advise us what kind of directional signs
would be permitted? We particularly
refer to the distance between Baltimore
and Ashton, Nd"
Cafe Owrer In Line.
The Wallis Cafe, Twelfth and G
streets. in Washington, is another user
of billboards which has directed the
abandonment of this form of advertis-
ing on the public highways.
We most surely agree with you in
regard to your campaign to clean up
the highway entrances to Washington, -
Edmund c. Wallis assured Mr.. Delano.
Under date Of December 10, 1880, we
instructed the General outdoor Adver-
Using Co. to terminate our contract at
the end of the next yearly period, which
is June 20, 1881. They have also been
instructed to reduce our monthly show
ing as they see ut between now and
the expiration date"
Both the American Civic Association
and Representative Sol Bloom, associate
director of the Washington Bicentennial
Commission, believe that the question
of competition is one that forces a ma
jority of billboard users to resort to this
method of highway DETACHMENT With
firms sending in assurances daily that
they will eliminate or restrict their use
Of outdoor advertising, competitors in
their lines of business also will be in q
position to do likewise, they believe.