Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
FOREST SERVICE
CHIEF HITS SIGNS
Regional Aides Ordered to
Take Active Part in PreServ-
ing Natural Scenery.

Fullest cooperation with Federal
and State Highway Commissions in the
interest OF preservation Of roadside
beauty and other natural scenery is as
sured as q result of instructions just
issued by the United States Forest
Service to its regional foresters.
Mai r. Y, Stuart, chief of the Forest
Service. who is a staunch foe OF out
door advertising. said there no longSr
can be any doubt of the public ssntl-
snent favoring conservation and res
foration of the esthetic value OF lands
visible from highways. After calling
attention to some of the condltlonS
that impair natural scenery. he re,
ferred to legislation that may De asker t,i
of Congress in connection with TINS
policy. :. .a 60.
ronplete coordination between the
Forest Service and the road systems.
Until recently, he said, ROADS were
often wholly unitarian, but now pup
lie recognition of the esthstlc ana rec,
reational value of roads has developed
q new point Of view.
Advertising Signs Hit.
Tn a statement accompanying the
instructions to regional foreStsrs, MAJ:
stuart called attention to prevalence OF
nnSiohtly cuts and fills, to gravel pits
rock uuarries, cruShers, olnng staIioIls
and camps located where they interfere
with adjacent scenery.
He declared there are many signs
primarily advertising, but otten oe-
serintjva of the road. that destroy the
natural beauty of scenery. He citeu
business and residential construction
close to right-of way often OF such oe
eion color or placement as TO impair
scenery. and said abutting LANDS arc
often used incompatibly with natural
scenery. go NEai
Stuart said, is that OF unregulateo
sometimes unauthorized, unoeI W.
denudation and total elimination o.
scenery beauty and natural interest,"
Statement Is Quoted.
"The Forest Service cannot claim
eornnlete innocence OF these onense'
against the public interest," ne Sa4u
adding: ,.,.,.,rr re.
sponsibility for the OFTEN oepIo, an,
Conditions observed, the Forest SerVlc'
Nav very properly claim to be among
the first public agencies to act con
structively to avert further develop
y,ent of such conditions and to demon
strate by its official actions ana re
nuirements its full capacity ana VIII
inrness to administer the lanos con
tiT1ous to roads with full regard u
niblic interests and desires:
There are almost 24,oOO, 600 acres res, 2
priyately owned or State land witnii
he national forests, disable as owner
A. tenants see ut, he said, and so al
the objectionable conditions o0ser r~s
within national forests are not charge
sh;s tn FOREST Service administration
Then. too, he added. the ease ant
freedom with which the mining .,o aa%
Of the United States may be employe.
70 establish rights or occupancy upol
national forests is another factor wnlci
initiates against proper control Q
roadside values. n
Mai stuart further added that man
locations are made for business pur
poses and until declared inva I.s,o az 7
Subject to uses seriously destructive
poaHside, values and beauties. a
Amendment to the mining laws. ne Sug
rested, would remedy that situation.