Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-20

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their cooperation in its behalf greatly
increases its chance of passage.
BY helping sponsor the measure,
Delegate Metzerott, Republican floor
ability of any factional fight on the
bill, but permitted it to supercede
similar bill introduced by him during
the first week of the session.
Although serving her first term. Miss
Lavinia Engle, former director OF the
League of Women Voters and a leader
in women'S politics in the State, is well
known and respected on the floor of
the House.
Bill Is Popular.
Delegate Mullikin is chairman of
the Prince Georges delegation, while
Delegate williams is a veteran of the
House and leader in Southern Mary
land politics. Delegate Mullikin, as
we'll as Mr.. MetZerott, has presented
anti-billboard measures at former Ses-
sionS.
The present bill. however, is con-
sidered the best of its kind ever in
troduced in the Assembly, having been
carefully studied and revised by ex
perts and leading lawyers of the State.
1t also is believed to have more public
backing than any previous measure of
this sort, having come at time when
pu bic sentiment against further desc
Grafton of Maryland's scenic highways
has crystallized into a demand for
action.
Nevertheless it carries a clause pro-
viding that should any section of the
act be declared unconstitutional, such
a decision would not effect the re-
mainder of the bill.
$1,000 Tax Bond Asked.
Among the minor features of the
measure is one that nonresident firms
or corporations engaged in the outdoor
advertising business in Maryland must
post bonds of $1,000 with the State
Roads Commission as a guarantee Of
payment of the licenses and taxes levied
against them under the terms of the
bill.
All signs within 500 feet of a public
highway, would be placed under the
Jurisdiction Of the State Roads Com
mission, but care is taken to exempt
cities and incorporated towns from the
provisions of the bill. Most urban COM
munities in the State have already en-
acted signboard regulatory measures.
It is also noted that the bill does not
in any way curtail or conflict with the
present powers of coming boards which
are already regulating billboards through
coming ordinances in some districts.
notably in the metropolitan area Of
Montgomery County.
1t is also pointed out by the authors
of the bill that 1t does not interfere
with the property rights of individuals.
Declaring that no man has a private
right to maintain a public nuisance,
Delegate Mullikin stated the signs have
become so numerous that they have be-
come a menace to public safety in
many cases.
Levy Held Negligible.
In the interest Of preserving life as
we'll as beauty, therefore, he says, the
bill has been drawn so as to give a
recognized authority-the State Roads
Commission-the power to determine
whether individual signs distract a mo-
toriSt's attention or obscure his view.
The proponents of the bill are stress
ing the argument that the tax sug-
gested is thoroughly reasonable. When
it is remembered that the signs derive
their full value from the improved
direct property tax and an indirect
sales tax Of nearly Is per cent on gas
oline, pay for the roads, the tax pro-
vided in the bill, said to be only about
2 per cent of the gross sign space
rentals, could hardly be called unfair.
The revenue which would be collected
by the State Roads Commission from
the license fees and sign taxes would be
paid to the State treasurer and would
become part of the general fund Of
the State. 1t is understood. however,
that the money would be used for road
side Identification.