Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
HEARING TO BEGIN
ON D. c. SIGN BILL
Representative Hall FavorS
Clearing City Streets of
UnsightIiness.

A vigorous supporter of governmental
plans for the Identification of the
National Capital Representative Albert
r. Hall of Indiana, declared yesterday
that the elimination of unsightly signs
from the streets of Washington, as
sought in proposed legislation, unodubt-
eddy would pave the way for the neigh
boring States of Maryland and Vir-
ginia 10 get rid of the array of bill
boards on every approach to the Cap
ital.
AS chairman of the House District
Subcommittee that will conduct hear
ings tomorrow on the recommendations
of the District Commissioners for
authority to promulgate regulations to
correct the sign evils in Washington, ;"
Mr. Hall said he would make every
endeavor to get the measure through
the House at this session. He conSid
ers the campaign to abolish or con-
troll the promiscuous growth of the
outdoor advertising signs on Washing
tons streets as directly in harmony,
ne said, with the plans of the National
Government to make the city eventually
the most beautiful capital in the world.
Steps Just Taken.
Mr. Hall said that the District Com
mittee yesterday had approved the last
link in the Mount Vernon Memorial
Boulevard, and that on Friday Repre-
sentative Cramton had introduced a
bill to spend $4,000 900 more to develop
the parkway system which would
extend on both sides of the Potomac
in Maryland and Virginia. Certainly
there is very real need for our neigh
bors to eliminate the glaring billboards
and other unSightly structures along
this territory" Mr. Hall said, 80 that
tourists need not be offended by such
roadside conditions in going into this
beautiful park area when it is devel-
oped."
Believing that Washington can no
longer afford to permit its streets to
be defaced by the fragrant display of
signs advertising every known product,
Mr. Hall said he would endeavor to
lation as a part of the Governments
program for improving Pennsylvania
avenue and the Mall. TT is only right
to expect that the development of this
type Of beauty should emanate from
the Capital ITSELF" ne said.
Mr.. Hall explained that he had re-
ceived a pamphlet from the American
Civic Association depicting the road
side conditions within a 20-nnile radius
Of Washington. The scenes showed a
large number of unsightly billboardS
and hot-dog stands and other nuisances
along the highway approaches TO
washington" he added.
Visitors Are Astonished.
AT the present time the greatest
criticism that members Of Congress hear
about Washington from out-of-town
visitors" Mr.. Hall said, SIS directed at
the approaches, which are far from
beautiful, and the terrible looking
si1acks and novels on Pennsylvania
avenue at the foot Of Capitol Hill and
in the vicinity Of the Mall. Congress
has taken steps to remedy these latter
sylvania avenue the beautiful boulevard
that many tourists believe it Is until
they see It," he said.
when the work of cleaning up the
city and its outside areas is completed
it will be hailed with delight by Wash
ingtonians and thousands Of visitors
who come here annually" he said. AS
a matter of fact. there are few cities in
the country that have a more offensive
view along its approaches"
Congress, he believes, stands ready
to give the District Commissioners
authority to clean up sign conditions
here long before the bicentennial cele-
bration in 1882, when washington
hopes to put it's best foot forward.
since the bill for the regulation and
control of the outdoor advertising situa-
ton here involves no appropriation, Mr..
Hall expressed the opinion there should
be no difnculty in getting it through
the House as emergency legislation
Representatives of the Districts engi-
neer department, the American Civic
Association and others will appear at
the subcommittee hearing at 1920
O'Clock tomorrow to urge immediate
action and lay before the committee
the facts about conditions here and
close TO the District line.