Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-02
GOTWALS TO OFFER
D. c. BODY SIGN BILL
Agrees to Insert Public Hear
ings Provision in Billboard
Measure.

An agreement having been reached
on proposed changes in the bill pro-
viding for the regulation of outdoor adj
vertising signs in the District, Maj.
John c. Gotwals, Engineer Commits
sioner, said he hoped to be able to
present the measure for the approval
Of his colleagues at todays board meet
ing.
A the suggestion of Frederic A..
Delano, president of the American Civic
aAsscciation, Maj Gotwals agreed to put
up to the Commissioners the proposal
B to incorporate in the bill stipulation
that public hearings be held preceding
any changes in regulations concerning
billboariS. This was one Of the original
proposals suggested by Lieut. Col. u. s..
Grant, Sd, director of the once Of
Public Buildings and Grounds in the
National Capital, but had been omitted
in the recent redrsfting Of the House
bill.
Delano Satisfied of Protection.
With this safeguard included in the
bill Mr.. Delano felt that public inter-
ests would be amply protected. AS he
pointed out previously, public hearings
provide the only way for organizations
like the American Civic Association,
sponsors of the local anti billboard
campaign to know that changes are
contemplated in regulations.
The only other difference was based
upon the insertion of the word main.
tanning" which Mr.. Delano believed
might pave the way for a regulation
permitting outdoor advertising inter-
ests TO repair existing billboardS within
the District Upon assurances from the
Engineer Commissioner that the bill
gave the Commissioners ample author
ity to regulate billboards and condemn
those which are unsafe or otherwise
objectionable If the Commissioners de-
sired, Mr.. Delano was understood TO
have withdrawn his objection.
Mai. Gotwals pointed out that legls-
lation authorizing the reputation .,t OF
buildings or billboards should carry with
it authority also to regulate their
maintenance. The act as passed by the
Senate is entitled an act ito regulate
the erection and maintenance o.
outdoor advertising signs and other
forms of exterior advertising" Section
of the bill requires that no person,
firm or corporation shall engage in the
business of erecting, hanging, placing.
painting, displaying or maintaining
such signs without first having obtained
a license. It is understood that the
words cor maintaining" were inserted
in this section so as to bring within the
scope of the regulations certain nrms
which are engaged in the business Of
maintaining billboards.
House Group Approval Next Step.
Should the Commissioners approve
the measure, the next step would be to
forward their recommendations to the
House District Committee, on whose
calendar the bill is pending. Endeavo-s
would be made, 1t was said. to get the
committee to report the measure to the
House during the present session.
Hearing Objection Explained.
The objection of the Commissioners
to the public hearings. Mr.. Delano e;;-
planned, apparently was based on the
Supposition that hearings would be
sought in connection with every ruling.
Maj. Gotwals said that hearings under
such circumstances not only were un-
necessary but would slow up admins
tration of the act. He was assured by
Mr.. Delano and Col Grant. however,
that the American Civic Association and
the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission were asking for hearings
only on the adoption of the new regula-
tons and amendments thereto.
Mr.. Delano also said that Maj. Got
walls seemed satisfied that some def
milton could be worked out so as to
restrict any general repairs for the
improving of billboards.