Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-29
Writs Bearing Identification
Numbers to Be Issued
Those in Sign Trade.
FOOT SQUARE OR LESS
PRODUCTS UNAFFECTED
Permits Required for Stores, Bust.
ness Men and Property
Owners.

The new sign regulations having be-
come effective upon their adoption
Tuesday by the District Commissioner
although uncomfortable for another
month. District authorities began TAX
ing steps today in preparation for the
issuance of licenses and permits as re-
quired under law.
Since the new license year begins No.
Vember i, it was believed to be desir-
able to require the licensing Of all such
individuals or firms engaged In the
sign business as soon as possible. These
licenses. each bearing an Identification
number, will be issued upon application
to the superintendent of licenses.
AT the same time all store proprie-
tors, business men or property owners
affected by the regulations win be re-
quired to apply for q permit from the
building inspectors Office before any
sign exceeding one square foot In de-
mension can be erected, painted, re-
painted, placed, replaced hung, rehune.
repaired or maintained" No permit
shall be required, it was pointed out, In
the case OF theaters changing the bills
OF their acts and features on estab-
Lshed frames at the theater in uues-
ton. or Tor changing the matter adver-
tiSed on billboards and all signs in the
authorized list which Is now in course
OF preparation.
Sign Business Fees.
The license fee for sign painters and
others engaged In the sign business.
able to the collector of taxes. and an
annual fee of IS thereafter.
:, AItnougn the tssuances Of permits and
licenses can be started on or after Mo-
Vember !, the penalties provided in the
act for violations Of the law cannot
De imposed until one month has elapsed
after the official publication of the
regulations. Unlike new traffic regula-
lions or amendments, such as the recent
left turn, when considerable time
elapsed before the rules went into effect
It was pointed out that the sign reQu-
lationS went into effect when pronnul-
gated by the Commissioners. The
month OF grace permitted before penal
Ties can be imposed, 1t was said, Is
with view OF allowing business Arms.
the drastic features of the law. which
greatly restrict the extent Of their OUT
door advertising.
Section of the law, governing the
issuance OF licenses empowers the Corr
mlsSioners, for good cause" to reject
any application for license, or, where
the license has been granted. to re-
Penalties imposed, upon conviction in
the Police Court, range from SIS to not
more than $500 for each and every Of
Tense land the fne shall be imposed for
each and every day thereafter that such
violation of law shall continue"
Regulations TO Be Printed.
Approximately 1000 copies of the
sign regulations are to be printed for
members of the police force and every
assistant building inspector.
Fees for permits for the erection. re-
placing and displaying of signs not
otherwise specified in the regulations
range from $40 for signs Of 100 square
feet and over, to 81 for signs. under IS
square feet
For the more ready enforcement of
the law, permits must be kept on the
premises. This applies also to those
who are engaged in the sign business,
1t was believed that one section OF
the regulation, governing signs or ban
ners, carried or transported on or over
any public space" win affect the tire
covers of many automohilists. This
would permit a delivery truck to display
an advertisement Of the bona iide
business of the owner" but would pro-
hibit any other kind Of advertising. This
question arises in the mind Of District
officials, 1t was said, as to whether it
would not also prohibit the ordinary
kind of advertisement tire cover fire.
quently user ~ automobtlists.