Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-05
DELEGATION BACKS
OUTDOOR AID CURB
Prince Georges Legislators
Unanimously in Favor of
Beautifying Roads.

A unanimity of sentiment in favor of
beautifying the highways leading into
Washington in accordance with the
movement of the American Civic Asso-
citation to improve conditions before the
1892 bicentennial celebration was ex-
pressed today by the members of the
Prince Georges County delegation to the
Maryland Legislature, which convenes
Wednesday.
There is still some divergence of opin-
ion among them, however, as to what
legislation Is necessary to "clean up"
the highways, but to date no confer
ence has been held on that subject. The
leaders believed that when the county's
delegation gets together to go over the
matter an agreement will be reached
without difficulty and the delegation will
act in unison.
Steps looking to the restriction of
billboards in Maryland will be consid-
cred Friday at a meeting of the heads
of women's organizations of the State
in the Southern Hotel in Baltimore
Miss Lavinia M Engle, research direc-
tor of the Maryland League of Women
Voters, which is sponsoring the confer
ence, would be selected to introduce a
bill in the Legislature, it was said. Miss
Engle is delegate from Montgomery
County.
Mullikin Gives His Views.
Kent r. Mullikin, chairman of the
Prince Georges delegation, pointed out
that the highways belong to every one
and should not be exploited by the bill
board companies. Mr. MullilSin intro
last session of the Legislature. It was
presented near the close of the session,
however, and was never reported from
the committee.
InaSmuch as the general public pays
for the roads, Mr.. Mullikin said, it is
the duty of the Legislature to see that
the public can enjoy both their con-
Venience and their scenic beauty with
out being endangered or harassed by
clusters of billboards
Because of the unfayorable economic
conditions, Mr.. Mullikin 6eclared, rad
ical anti-billboard meaSttr4M should not
be attempted this year. some farmers
who are .up against 1t" financially re-
ccive a small but needed income from
otherwise unproductive land when rent
ed for billboardS. So it is against the
clusters of billboards that line such i'm
portant trafiic arteries as the Washing
ton-Baltimore Boulevard and the Ma
tional Defense Highway rather than
the occasional signboard in the rural
communities, that the Legislature should
direct its activities, Mr.. Millikin said.
Marbury Takes Interest.
The Prince Georges chairman also
believes the matter can be handled most
effectively If dealt with by each county
individually, rather than as q State
wide measure.
Charles C. Marbury, junior Demo-
cratic member of the Legislature, is
another who has taken an active inter-
est in the American Civic Associations
having attended some of the
groups meetings.
He heartily approves the educational
campaign" being conducted by the
association and The Star to focus at
tention on the need for Identification
of the entrances into Washington.
Mr.. Marbury states that the removal
of illegally placed signs, as has been
done in some nearby communities, could
well be undertaken in Prince Georges
County. A noticeable improvement In
the appearance of many important
highways would be accomplished, he
says, If some agency such as the State
Roads Commission, or the State police
force, were empowered and directed to
remove signs now illegally placed within
the right Of way, on trees and fences
and various buildings without the con-
sent of the owner.
Wants State Agency to Act.
He believes many farmers whose
barns are now cluttered with signs adj
vertising patent medicines, cigarettes,
candy, ETC., Intend" to remove them,
but never get around to it, and would
consider it a favor to have q State
agency take them down
Delegate Marbury also pointed out
that the people pay the taxes for the
roads while the Signboard companies, in
most instances, capitalize the highways
to their own advantage without paying
any tax. In a few cases they own the
land on which their signs are erected,
but these are the exception, he said.
State Senator Lansdale G. Sasscer
believes the highways entering Wash
1ngton should be made as beautiful as
possible, but warned that any legislation
on the subject should be handled
"sanely."
Delegate William F. Keys, along with
most of his colleagues, is of the opinion
that taxation is the most effective
method Of regulating the billboards.
Agreement Is Predicted.
Delegate-elect Oliver Metzerott, a
former member of the State Senate and
experienced anti-billboard legislator, is
anxious to capitalize the sentiment in
favor of having the highways made as
pleasing in appearance as possible IN
time for the 1882 bicentennial celebra-
ton.
Delegate-elect Richard C. zantzinger,
the junior Republican member of the
county's delegation. stressed the need
for improvement of the highways in the
suburban area of the county He Is
of the opinion that the delegation can
agree on measure that will prove
highly effective in eliminating many
of the unsightly billboards from the
and thus directly contribute
to the county's advancement.
Delegate J. Guy Bell of Bowie is in
accordance with the sentiment of the
rest of the delegation and believes some
attention should be paid to highways
now comparatively free from bill
boards to safeguard them from the
fate" of the Baltimore Boulevard