Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
SIGN LAWS URGED
BY MARyLANDERS
Republican Leader and DEM
ocratic Group in House Seek
to Regulate BiIIhoardS.
By stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY Stan Correspondent of The Star.
| ANNAPOLIS, Md, January lathe
legislative campaign against billboards
opened Unexpectedly In the Maryland
House of Delegates yesterday when
Oliver Metzerott of Prince Georges
County, Republican floor leader, pre-
sented a bill to regulate roadside signs.
AS a result of Mr. Metzerott's action
the Legislature will have at least two
anti billboard measures to choose from,
for group of influential Democratic
leaders are at work on bill which is
expected to be presented in about two
weeks.
Sign Companies Fight.
Coincident with the introduction Of
Mr.. Metzerott's bill it was revealed the
sign companies have already started
their fight against any attempt to reg
ulate them. number of delegates, in
Guiding Mr.. Metzeroff himself having
received a circular letter from one of
the large concerns characterizing those
who are working for roadside beautif1-
cation as "a bunch of reformers who
are trying to make business conditions
worse"
Miss Lavinia Engle, a Democratic
delegate from Montgomery County, who
has been active in the anti-billboard
campaign, said the introduction of the
Metzerott bill will not alter the plans
of the Democrats to present the bill now
being drafted
The action of the minority floor lead
e. in presenting his bill at the second
session of the Legislature, and even be-
IN &c
plete is taken by many to indicate that
such q unanimity of sentiment in favor
of billboard regulation exists. the Re-
publican party was anxious to get on
the band wagon" first.
Levies 5000 License Fee.
Mr.. Metzerott's bill calls for the pay
ment of an annual 5000 license fee by
persons engaged in roadside advertising
business, the fee to be paid to the clerk
OF the circuit court Of the county in
which the principal Office of the con-
Germ is located, or to the clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas, Baltimore.
Under the terms of the bill all appli-
cations for the erection Of roadside
signs would have to be filed with the
commissioner of motor vehicles who
would pass upon the question of
whether or not the proposed sign, by
reason CT its location or character,
would in any way adversely affect the
public safety by obscuring the view or
unduly attracting the attention of
autoists The approval or diSapproval
of the commissioner would be final.
The bill also provides that an an
nual fee of 25 cents per square yard be
paid on all signs up to SO square yards
Each square yard in excess of that sum
would be taxed at the rate of so cents
annually.
Fund to Aid Identification.
A special department of the motor
vehicle commissioners Office would han
die this work, and all funds collected in
excess of expenses would be turned over
to the State Department of Forestry for
roadside Identification, the bill provides
A metal tag. describing the sign and
showing taxes paid would be issued and
attached to each sign authorized. Any
sign not bearing this tag could be re-
moved upon 10 days notice The bill
exempts rent and sale signs and signs
advertising business conducted on the
premises.
Speaker Francis A. Michel referred
Mr.. Metzerotts bill to the Ways and
Means Committee when appointed.
Based on New Jersey Law.
The bill being drafted by the Demo-
cratic leaders is similar in principal to
the Metzerott bill, but different in many
details. Both are modelled after the
New jersey law.
The Democratic bill will place the
handling of application in the office of
the State Roads Commission. which has
a larger road force than the office of
the commissioner of motor vehicles,
which controls the State police
Those sponsoring the Democratic bill
declared yesterday the influential
Southern Maryland Society has in
dorsed the principles which it will seek
TO eInbody. All members of that So
ciety will be asked to urge the passage
Of reasonable billboard regulatory
measure, it was said yesterday.