Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-31
REPORTS ON SIGNS
ORDERED BY PRATT
/. ARE DUE BY FRIDAY
Dawson Committee to Study
Locations for Revision
of Regulations.
POLICE HEAD HITS USE
OF SIDEWALK SPACES
Precinct Captains Instructed to En-
force Prohibition and Sur
vey Conditions.

Precinct captains will submit Friday
reports to Maj. Henry G. Pratt, super
intendent of police, on the exact loca-
tons in their precincts of all billboards,
painted wall signs and a by 8 foot"
frame signs attached to buildings and
fences.
The purpose of the order, as ex-
planned by Maj. Pratt, is ito obtain a
complete list Of all signs erected by bill
posters and outdoor advertising con-
Germs advertising goods or business not
on which same Is located" Maj. Pratt
impressed on the precinct captains that
great care must be exercised to report
every sign in the above classes.
When these reports are completed
they will be turned over to the District
Sign Committee in connection with the
revision of existing regulations govern
ing outdoor advertising in the District.
The committee, headed by Maj. Donald
A. Dawson, Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner, will meet April 6.
Signs Put on Sidewalks.
One object of the survey now being
made Is to ascertain the number Of
signs in violation Of section 20 Of the
existing building code, which provides
that no structure shall be erected or
hung upon any building without a per-
NIT, and violations also of section Z of
the police regulations. which prohibits
the placing CT advertising signs of any
kind on public space.
Headquarters, said Maj Pratt In q
special order, sis in receipt of informa-
ton that signs are being placed on
ed he nd IN of
stores, advertising commodities for sale
therein; also that signs relating to the
sale and rent of real estate are being
placed In parkings.
You will instruct the members of
your command to strictly enforce these
regulations and submit report, not later
than April 3, as to the conditions in
your precinct with regard to these reg
ulations."
Would Ban Barn Ads.
Meanwhile, several suggestions for
more stringent regulations under the
new act empowering the District Com
missioners TO control outdoor advertis-
ing in the District have been recon-
mended by Roland M. Brennan, chief
clerk of the Engineer Department, a
member Of the Sign Committee.
One Of these recommendations would
prohibit the placing Of signs on any
barn, tree or fence abutting public
highways. A second would prohibit the
placing of miscellaneous signs on places
sign with a reasonable area for the adj
vertising of commodities sold on the
premises, or two neatly painted boards
Of reasonable size.
A third suggestion by Mr. Brennan Is
designed to abolish the present prac-
tice of plastering vacant buildings and
lots with small signs and posters and
would permit only such real estate signs
as are authorized by law.
Make Personal Surveys.
taking particular interest in making
personal surveys Of conditions in the
CITY, They have pointed to a number
Of signs located opposite public build
ings which should receive consideration.
Some of these are authorized billboards,
such as one opposite the Congressional
Library at the northeast corner of Sec
ond street and Pennsylvania avenue
southeast. This corner lot, however,
does not involve any permanent prob
lem. as the billboards must be taken
down soon to- make way for the addi-
ton TO the library, which is to be erected
on that site, 1t was said.
There are conditions also across from
the Patent Office and the old Pension
Bureau Building which illustrate what
the Commissioners have in mind in en-
deavoring to prohibit outdoor signs
facing monumental public buildings.
Whether such signs can be ordered torn
down, however, is matter which has
to be taken under advisement in con-
nection with the new law.
Maj. Dawson has made the suggestion
that the billboard companies be given
the right to rehabilitate some of their
dilapidated units in exchange for re-
linquishing sites across from parks and
public buildings. At least one company,
it is understood, has agreed to such
suggestion.