Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04


made in this connection. Size pointed
out that the general campaign to i'm
prove the highway approaches In time
for the Washington Bicentennial was
wider in its scope, including plans for
the passage Of necessary legislation in
the District and In Maryland when the
Legislature Of that State convenes
within a short time
AS an example of the need Of con-
centrated action in protecting roadside
landscape from wholesale destruction by
illegal and authorized advertising signs,
Mrs. Noyes called attention to condi-
tons in the vicinity Of Chain Bridge.
Mr.. Eliot also had earlier cited the
marring Of the Bladensburg Memorial
site by an array Of unsightly biIlboards.
Mrs. NoyeS said she felt much dis
couraged over these conditions at Chain
Bridge. At the Fairfax line within the
past six months, she said, a number of
billboardS had been erected, spelling
the views on one Of the most beautiful
roads near Washington To erect these
signs, she declared, beautiful. trees had
been wantonly destroyed. 1t Is such
examples of destructivenesS to roadside
beauty, she said, that has forced civic
groups to join in the movement to regu-
late and eliminate billboardS within
the proximity Of Washington.
As associate director Of the Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission, she said,
Representative Bloom had suggested q
plan by which the cooperation Of the
outdoor advertising interests would be
sought in connection with arrange
ments for the great 1882 celebration.
Mr. Bloom said he often wondered
whether the people Of Maryland and
Virginia realize all the benefits they
receive from this tourist-traveled Sec
ton in their midst Half q million
people, he declared, visit Mount Vernon
each year, which means that q great
deal of trade is brought to Virginia.
Describing the District Of Columbia as
'-the main street Of the Nation" Mr..
Bloom said the object. sought by the
Bicentennial Commission as well as
civic forces was to keep the approaches
to this beautiful city from being de-
stroyed by billboards.
On a recent trip to Mount Vernon,
he said, one of the first objects that
attracted his attention as he ap-
preached the grounds was billboard.
IF the billboard people don't see our
problem as we see it, conditions on the
Mount Vernon road can be remedied
as New York Is planning to remedy its
problems" he suggested. Quoting from
the following:
New York State plans to erect
screens on State property In front Of
billboards constructed on privately
owned lands In the vicinity of the new
mid-HudSon Bridge. Billboard men are
fighting the move"
Two Methods for Action.
There are two ways for the Biceri-
tennial Commission TO cooperate in the
campaign against billboards, Mr.. Bloom
said. It could deal with the outdoor
advertising companies or with adver-
Users as individuals. at think they will
see the justice in our plans and win be
willing to do something about improv-
ing the situation" he added.
Mr.. Bloom then read the letter which
his commission Is sending out to all
users Of bIllboards for advertising In the
washington area. The flrst TO make
the move TO eliminate outdoor advertis-
ing before the Bicentennial celebration,
the letter stated, viii receive not only
local but national advertising as q re-
suit. In addition, the letter pointed
out, those advertisers voluntarily agree
ing to eliminate much outdoor adver-
Using in this area would undoubtedly
reap harvest Of public good will"
Irrespective OF what the District Of
Columbia does in the way Of preparing
for the great celebration, Mr.. Bloom
said, the people of the country viii
come here by the hundreds of thou
sands. He expressed the opinion, in
closing his remarks, that the Bicen-
tennial Commission will obtain salts
factory results from the advertising in
tereSts and that the commission would
cooperate whole heartedly in whatever
plans are necessary to bring results.
Discussing the broad aspects OF the
anti billboard campaign, Mr.. Delano Of
the American Civic Association called
attention TO the conference on January
called by the Outdoor Advertising AS
ISOLATION Of America and the National
Association. of Real Estate Boards.
Representatives of associations opposed
to outdoor advertising, he said, had been
invited to attend this Washington cen
ference, the object Of which is to adopt
policies for the purpose of promoting
harmony between commerce and beauty
in rural areas.
Mr.. Delano frankly stated that some
of the civic groups had doubts as to
the wisdom Of attending the confer
ence.
Mr.. Smith Of the American Automo-
bile Association suggested that those
interested In the protection Of the road
side landscape might 90 to the confer
ence as "obServerS ana Mr.. Bloom
agreed with him. They might offer
something In the way Of taking their
boards down." he said. From which,
ever point Of view the conference was
regarded, he said, 1t was important.
Mrs Noyes struck popular note
when she declared it was her opinion
that ut would be q good deal better
before the meeting to express our oppo-
sition to 1t and to all forms Of bill
boards"
The unanimous support of the Amer
lean Automobile Association, with it's
branches in, 9l6 cities, was pledged by
Mr.. Smith in connection with the bill
board fght. Besides contributing 10
per cent of the cost Of the planting at
the various highway entrances to the
Capital, he said his association would
concentrate on all its powers Of public
| fly. The association already Is doing
much elective work along thia line az