Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
SIGN PLAN HEADED
FOR GEORGIA TEST
Move Seen to Put Billboard
Measure Over on Dixie
State.

Georgia has been selected by the
organized billboard industry CT the
nation as the first State in which TO
test the so-called Nelson plan for zon-
ing billboards on rural highways, con-
ceived at the conference neld here last
Winter by the National Association Of
Real Estate Boards and representatives
Of the outdoor advertising interests.
In letter of warning to Gov.
Richard B. Russell of that state, Arthur
N. Pack, president OF the American
Nature Association, advises the execu-
tive that the billboard measure in the
Georgia Legislature Is meme other than
this creature of the billboard industry
which is discredited by similar public
interest groups.
Efforts OF the billboard industry to
get the approval Of the public interest
groups in connection with its proposed
model legislation" failed at the recent
conference here. One Oy one the pub
lie organizations dropped out of the
conference and repudiated the Nielsen
plan as against the best efforts to pre-
serve roadside beauty. These groups
included the American Automobile As
ISOLATION, the General Federation of
Women's Clubs, the National Council
Ava tAhC AAOtCIOA0AA va AeO1A46ANC ASSoARy
and others.
Civic Group AioOf.
The American Civic Association, tax
ing its cue from the United States
Bureau of Public Roads, which has
fought the billboard industry unceas-
1ngly for years, took no part in the
conference.
In his letter to Gov. Russell, Mr..
Pack wrote.
1T has just been called to my at
1ention that there has been introduced
into the Georgia Legislature a measure
generally described as the Nelson plan,
ostensibly seeking TO bring about inn
proyement In the conditions Of your
rural roadsides. Inasmucn as 1t has
been frequently intimated that this
plan expresses the desires of these rep
resenting the public interest in this
matter, may take this opportunity to
urge that you, as chief executive in the
State of Georgia, thoroughly acQuaint
yourself with the various aspects Of this
proposal. 1t would appear that Georgia
has been selected as proving ground
for this particular piece or legislation.
The so-called Nelson plan Is the
creature Of the billboard industry and
does not have the Endorsement Of or
CARNATIONS working in the public inter-
est. Such groups regard the Nelson
plan as worse than adequate and feel
that its inevitable effect would be to
fasten the billboard business on vast
stretches Of rural highways and to COM
mercialize them beyond hope Of re-
demption.
Through the Nelson plan It advocates
hope to give the rural billboard leg
islative standing which it lacks today
and are attempting to do so under the
guise Of protecting" the American
landscape.
Protection Needed.
"It Is the contention of the public
interest groups that the people of a
political subdivision, having paid for
highways, are entitled to consideration
with respect to what Of commercial and
disflgur1ng character appears along the
envir0ns Of these highways. The Nell
son plan, however, proposes that this
be left In the hands of the compare
lively small group Of owners Of ada
cent property, the very group which
profits directly from the use Of the
roadside advertising. The Nelson plan.
in our estimation, merits consideration
only as minor part Of conprehen-
Sive scheme for the control Of high
way conditions.
AT the same time we note with
pleasure that there is pending before
the Georgia Legislature q measure In
troduced by Mr. Key Of Georgia known
as House Bill No. 219. We feel that
this Is an excellent bill as far as it
goes. and lays logical and valuable
foundation upon which can be built
effective legislation looking to the con-
troll Of roadside conditions.
IT sincerely trust that the state Of
Georgia win not be misled by this cur
rent proposal, and that it win enact
legislation, which viii truly serve to
preserve for the increasing number Of
visitors to that State truly attractive
condition Of it's rural roadsides."