Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-27

small in relation to what Is strictly
necessary" Mr.. Eliots views were pre-
sented in the form of brief filed with
the committee.
Poster Men Silent.
What apparently disturbed the rep
resentativeS of some of the public in
terest groups quite as much as their
apprehension over the regulation was
the silence of the billboard representa-
tives at the hearing Although the OUT
door advertising companies were rep
resented by their managers, not one
volunteered to state his views. One Of
the advertising managers said after the
hearing that they were perfectly salts
fed
More than dozen witnesses were
heard. Most of the business representa-
tives were heartily in sympathy with
the general purposes of the bill in reg
ulating the appearance Of the city
made with respect to the real estate
section, projecting signs and roof signs.
Term Meets Objection.
A few criticisms were made on the
section Of the regulations limiting signs
on premises to those advertising "a
bona fide business conducted on the
premises"
This objection was based on the ground
that it does not define the term bona
fide business" with SUFFICIENT cIearness
in the light Of another section which
permits the advertisement in show
windows Of products sold on the prem
ises
They suggest that the section be
changed so as to permit the sign over
a store to include advertisements with
in the scope of the business" con-.
Quoted g ~
LAT the conclusion of the hearing,
Mai. John G, Gotwals. Engineer Com
missioner who presided, announced
there would be no occasion for sec
make radical changes In the regula-
tions."
Speakers Give Views.
Others who presented their views at
today's hearing included John A. Petty.
executive secretary of the WASHINGTON
Real Estate Board; Julian BrylaWski,
representing motion picture theater
owners; w. A. Buckner of New York,
for the American Railway Express Co.:
N. N. Mayer of the District Grocery
Stores, Edgar B. Henderson on behalf
OF the Federation of Citizens AsSocia-
tons, H. E. Barnes of the Claude Neon
Light Co., Horace w. Peaslee, architect;
Samuel Hanlein, Edwin S. Hege of the
Chevy Chase Citizens Association: l..
5. Scott of Quaker State Oil Co., Harry
King, president of the Chamber of
Commerce; George S. H. Carroll, sign
contractor; David Wiener of the Fash
ION Shop, G. Leslie McCrea of the Ma.
tionals Electric Supply Co, Lewis G.
Etelson of Hecht Co, H L. lille of the
Sign Painters Local. 1929: r. S. Paylor
OF the Peoples Drug Stores and Samuel
N. Syn1e
Mr.. Petty explained the Real Estate
Board was in sympathy with the gen.
eraI efforts to improve appearances
caused by outdoor advertising, but felt
that the real estate situation was ade-
quately covered by present regulations.
He expressed the hope that the Com
missioners would take the ordinary
rent and sale" signs out of the regu-
lations, except as to restrictions gov
erning public interests As for the
larger signs used in the case of develop
ment, he said he felt there should be
regulations.
Theater Signs Discussed.
The motion picture theaters. in the
opinion of Mr. Brylawski have been the
prime promoters of Washington white
way night life, which he declared at.
tracted favorable attention from
visitors He objected to the restric.
ton placed on electric signs on mar
quiSes. Mr.. Brylawski urged that letter.
ing IL inches high be allowed and two
lines instead of one, adding the name
of the business
In addition to protesting against the
repairing of billboards, Mr.. Delano de-
clared that the sections of the regula-.
lions dealing with signs in general
appear to promise better conditions"
If however, the purpose of the sign
regulations is to improve the appear
ance of Washington" he added, ''the
abolition of overhanging signs, which
under the regulations would be per-
mitted to extend AZ inches beyond the
building line, would prove an essential
factor"
MIR. Delano said the Fifth Avenue
Association IN New York found the
of overhead signs not only
improved conditions but was actually
preferred by theater owners and mer-
chants who had opposed the rule before
its adoption.
I'VE suggest six inches projection,
which would in effect require that all
signs be placed fiat against the front