Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-07
CITY HEADS URGE
SIGN LEGISLATION
Forward Letter to House
Body Chief Favoring Early
Regulatory Action.

While the organized outdoor advertis-
ing interests were preparing to conduct
a conference here tomorrow to bring
about harmony In the billboard situa-
ton throughout the country, the Dis
trict Commissioners today forwarded a
letter to Chairman Zihlman Of the
House District Committee urging
the enactment of legislation "at an
early date, so that adequate and en-
forceable regulations may be promulgat-
ed to correct the sign evils now existing
In the National Capital ITSELF"
Accompanying the letter, which the
Board Of Commissioners authorized
Maj. John G. Gotwals, Engineer Corn-
missioner, to forward to Chairman
zihlman, were the approved amend
ments TO the pending House bill under
which the Commissioners would be
given wider authority in regulating and
controlling the dgnboard situation in
the District.
Need sHM Compelling.
The reasons which actuated the
Commissioners in urging the enactment
Of this bill at the time 1T was presented
to your committee last March are Just
as compelling now as then" the letter
stated. In TACT, with the recent con-
certeo effort of civic organizations and
governmental agencies and promises OF
cooperation from the adjoining States
OF Maryland and Virginia in an effort
to preserve the natural beauty at the
highway entrances to the National
Capital, 1t Is patent that the sign law
herein should be enacted at
an early date, so that adequate and en-
forceable sign regulations may be
to correct the sign evils
now existing in the National Capital
itself.
The Commissioners, therefore, recon-
mend that the bill, as amended, be con-
sidered by your committee and that
every effort be made to have it enacted
during the present session of Congress"
The bill already has passed the SEN
ate. Among amendments proposed is
one calling for public hearings before
new regulations are adopted.
Doubt InduStry's Intentions.
Doubling the intention of the organ
Ized billboard industry to propose any
legislation which civic-minded people
could accept as a model, the American
Civic Association, leader in the cam
paign to rid the highway approaches
10 Washington of unSightly road signs,
,oday refused to attend the conference
JAILED by the outdoor Advertising As
ISOLATION of America and the National
of Real Estate Boards for
he promotion of harmony between
commerce and beauty in rural areas"
In view Of the history of the or
yanized billboard. industry, which has
ought every substantial gain" the
American Civic Association said in a
statement explaining its reasons for de-
Ginning the invitation, its officers "are
1ot hopeful that the billboard industry
Will acquiesce in the program to rescue
America from the billboards. Any COM
promise on the part of civic leaders
would be a betrayal of the public good,
which they stand to defend"
Ten Civic Groups Invited. i
The American Civic Association was |
me of about 10 civic groups invited to |
attend the conference, which will be |
held at 10 o'clock in the Offices of the |
United States Chamber Of Commerce. !
It was announced today that it was not |
Known whether the meeting would be |
,pen to the press. Gerge Wharton !
Pepper, former Senator from PennSyl- |
'ania, who has acted as counsel in the |
oast for certain billboard interests, will |
preside and open the meeting.
The statement of the American Civic
Association, of which Frederic A. Delano
CONTINUED on PAGE 8 Column a.