Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
ROAD SIGN TAKING
BEGINS TOMORROW
New Maryland Law Effective.
Highway Officials Make
Check-up.

Starting tomorrow. all billboards In
Maryland will be subject to license
and tax, while those dangerous to traf-
fic will be promptly removed.
The law passed by the recent Legis-
lature to improve the appearance Of the
States many scenic highways and pre-
vent the unrestricted cluttering Of the
roadside with unsightly and often dan
gerous signs is expected to work no
ticeable improvement within the next
few months. so that Maryland will not
have to apologize for the appearance OF
its boulevards and lateral roads when
thousands Of Americans drive over them
next year EN- route to the George Wash
ington Bicentennial.
Cooperation Solicited.
For weeks the State Roads Commits
sion. which is charged with enforcing
the law, has been at work notifying the
advertisers and billboard companies OF
the requirements of the new statute and
soliciting their cooperation.
Under the direction Of r. p. Scriven-
er, maintenance engineer. who will be
in charge of the billboard work Of the
commission, several men have been
travelling over the State. familiarizine
themselves with the roadside signs, the
advertisers who use them and the COM
panies which maintain them.
Maj. E. Brooke Lee, newly appointed
member CT the State Roads Commits
sion. and one of the staunch supporters
of the billboard law. said an official re-
port on the work that has been done To
date will be made at the next meeting
of the commission.
Twenty Days Grace Given.
The public was warned not to expect
too quick results by Maj. Lee, who
pointed out that the billboard COM
ply with the law before being warned
of the penalties for its violation.
He expressed the opinion that the
State Roads Commission would work
unanimously for the strict enforcement
of the new statute.
Engineer Scrivener said that the bill
board companies will first be given
every opportunity to comply with the
law by sending in a list Of their signs
and the fee or tax for them for the
coming year.
After "a reasonable period he said
check-up will be made On all signs by
the supervisors of the State Roads Com
mission and all illegal signs listed. Per-
sons responsible for these signs will
then be warned and forced to pay the
tax or have them removed.
Details Of Tax.
The law requires all billboard COM
panies maintaining more than so boards
to pay an annual license fee of 5000
Other companies must pay $50. In ad-
dition. a tax of one-half cent per square
foot will be imposed on each individual
sign.
The law was drafted by Delegates
Lavi1ta Engle, Kent r. Mulliken, Oliver
MetZerott and Lawrence P. Williams
Delegate Metzerott also is the author
of another law which goes into effect
tomorrow, making the advertiser re-
sponsible for illegally placed signs. This
statute will make prosecution of those
responsible for signs improperly placed
more effective.
The organizations which gave Their
support to the new laws when they were
in legislative channels and were instru-
mental in securing their enactment are
urged by Delegate Metzerott to display
continuing vigilence to see that they
arc properly enforced.
Public cooperation in reporting H.
legal signs has also been asked by En-
gineer Scrivener on behalf of the State
Roads Commission and Chief Engineer
Irving c. Root of the Maryland Ma
tionat Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
Inasmuch as the billboard companies
approved the new law when it was in
the Legislature, their cooperation Is
also anticipated.