Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15
PUBLIC LIBRARY

In connection with the current interest
in the abolition of the billboard, the
Public Library calls attention to the
following articles, all of which are
available in the technology and
reference divisions of the central
building, at Eighth and K streets.
Billboards and Public Opinion.
'-The new sum-" is what one periodical
calls the roadside DETACHMENT caused
by outdoor advertising, a condition
which is claiming the attention of the
washington public at present. The
following magazine articles reflect
q. growing strength of opinion that
Is countrywide
In The Mad Hatter's Dirty Teacup'
tHarpers, April, 1890, Stuart Chase
condemns those habits of waste and
carelessness that make our city
streets, bathing beaches and high
ways depressing and hideous, worse
Than taose of any other civilized
country.
A review Of opinions by the Federal
Bureau of Public Roads, the Ameri-
can Association of State Highway
Omcials, the Saturday Evening Post,
the Stone & Webster Journal and
the New York Times is given in the
billboard Blight" (The Manu-
page 60.)
Ernest McGuffey of the Automobile Club
of Southern California attacks the
'LIglif1cation of Americas High
rs" in a vigorous indictment of
the short-sighted policy of outdoor
advertising. professional Engineer,
March, 1929, pages $50
Nature Magazine for November, 1929.
comments on the situation in Cali
fornia and in the Shenandoah VAL
ley, (pages 294. 312)
Signs are not only unsightly, but a
foenace to traffic safety as well, ac-
cording to DR.. L. I. Hewes, deputy
Chief engineer, United States Bureau
Of Public Roads. (American City,
March, 1929, page 113, and January,
1880, page 92)
-. Legislative Action.
Legislative action in the regulation Of
outdoor advertising is shown in the
following:
How IL States Regulate Advertising
Signs" advertising and Selling,
February 20, 1929, page 26.)
How the Various States Regulate Road
side Advertising" printers Ink,
February IA, 1929, page 1881
The aesthetic motive for legislation is no
longer treated as suspect, and the
power of the police to protect the
general welfare of the population has
been invoked against the billboard
advertisers. professional Engineer
September, 1929, pages 12-l3)
The Standard Oil Co., with an eye to
the trade of the gasoline buying
tourist. has been PIONEER among
companies in removing its own signs
business Week, october 26, 1929,
page 34)
New York State is preparing a consti-
tlltional amendment to make road
side advertising subject to law. and
New jersey has enacted legislation
70 charge fees and license the cree
ton Of billboards (Arnerican City
April, 1880, page 10. and Printers
Ink, April 8, $780, page So
O. c. Dillman, Michigans Stat High
way Commissioner, urges that greater
:. legal authority and responsibility for
!: highway departments is needed for
roadside development. protection and
June. 1880, page 400
A recsnt decision by the Supreme Court
Of Indiana upholds an ordinance
prohibiting outdoor advertising
within 500 feet of parks and boule-
yards. (American City, August,
sla30. pages 113-114)
THIS 1ist is taken from the Technology
Book News, a monthly bulletin issued
by the technology division to inform
the public concerning the new Access
sssons to the library's collection of
books in the fields of business.
science, agriculture, home economics,
technology, and the manual arts.
Copies may be obtained free of charge
at the central building and the major
branches.