Evening star., 1932-03-25
100 ILLEGAL SIGNS
BEING TORN DOWN
AS D. c. WINS FIGHT.
Outdoor Advertising Co.
Compelled to Live Up .
to Agreement.
CAREFUL CHECK MADE
UNTIL WORK is DONE
All Unauthorized Billboards in
Residential and Commercial
Areas Are Affected.

Compelled finally to live up to its
agreement with the District Commis-
sioners, the General Outdoor Advertis-
ing Co. is engaged in removing from
residential and commercial areas of the
city more than 100 unauthorized bill
boards and wall signs which have been
the subject of controversy for months.
Completion of the work, according to
assurances given by Maj. Donald A.
Dawson, Acting Engineer Commissioner,
VIII clear up the whole vexatious bill
board situation and remove the princi-
pal stumbling block from the path of
successful sign law enforcement With
District inspector keeping close check
on operations of the wrecking crew,
Maj. Dawson warned there will be no
let up in this vigilance until the bill
board company had carried out the last
letter of its pledge to abandon all un-
authorized sign locations within the
District limits. officials say there are
approximately 100 of these many of
which already have been actually aban-
doned
Agreement Declared Ignored.
The company's decision to come to
terHlS IN oroer TO avoid possible legal
prosecution ended a controversy which
came to a head last February l, when
an investigation revealed that practi-
cally none Of the signs which the Com
missioners contended were illegal under
the regulations had been removed I'M
der So-called ''gentleman's" agreement
effective on that date. Even after this
disclosure the General company, which
had obtained in the meantime a virtual
monopoly of the billboard industry in
Washington, countered with legal argu-
ments until it finally maneuvered into
a position which its attorney was said
to have advised the company was un-
tenable
This was largely brought about through
the efforts of Inspector Thomas F.
Roche, who had secured conviction in
Police Court against one of the COM
pany's agents for violation of the sign
regulations threatened action in other
cases and finally succeeded in obtaining
evidence of a different character which
was used successfully by Capt. Hugh P.
Gram newly appointed officer in charge
of all inspection work, in forcing the
company to come to terms.
Since then, Capt. Dram explained, the
General company has freely co-operated
In the task of removing all billboard
structures ordered down by District
officials and has agreed also not to re-
place any of the legally authorized
structures blown down during the re-
cent snowstorm over which a fresh
controversy had arisen.
The modified attitude of the General
company, in the opinion of District Off
cials, is complete surrender of practi-
cally all its previous contentious and
marks the end of haphazard and loose
enforcement Of the sign regulations in
previous years. While the Commission
ers had adhered steadfastly to policy
of refusing permits for new billboard
structures over a period Of some 10
years past, one of the reasons for seek
ing new sign law with teeth in it
was to give them greater measure Of
control over the actual repairing and
repainting of signs.
With the recent turn of events, Mr.
Roche is confident now that he can
successfully enforce the billboard sec
ton of the new regulations as he has
been doing with the sections affecting
individual business firms and stores.
Although he has obtained eight convic-
tions in Police Court against individuals,
local business men have been anxious
to conform to the regulations, he said,
when violations have been brought to
their attention.
lie SbTdW WHICH apparently UiOke LIlc
camel's back in connection with the
General Outdoor Advertising Co. was a
copy of the form of leasing agreement
entered into with property owners for
the erection and maintenance OF bill
board structures. The company had
contended in conferences with District
officials that it had done all that could
be expected of it by canceling advertis-
ing contracts. 1t was up to the prop
erty owners or the District government
TO remove the structures. the company
contended, as its interest in the boards
expired with the contract.
Company Responsible.
Mr.. Roche, who had succeeded in
obtaining a copy of the lease agreement,
pointed out a paragraph which, IN the
opinion of District officials, clearly
established the ownership and respon-
sibility of the company in the billboard
structures. Under this agreement Dis
trict officials successfully contended that
the company itself was responsible for
the removal Of the boards.
All wall signs on the so-called 'un-
authorized" list, it was said, are being
painted out. Some Of the billboard
structures, however, will be allowed to
remain as a fence.
This is being allowed in cases where
the boards hide unSightly conditions on
the premises. Advertising matter is to
be obliterated, the boards freshly paint
ed and reduced to a height of not
more than seven feet. These fences
will be permitted, however. only on the
condition that the property owner
agrees in writing to keep them in
proper condition.
Despite the fact that it is giving
up some 1870 billboards and wall signs,
the General company, which recently
reached out to take over the local busi-
ness of the Morton company, will be able
to operate some 450 sign locations duly
authorized under the new regulations.
This will be the limit of the business
in Washington, however, for the Com
missioners intend to adhere strictly to
a policy of refusing any additional per-
Ynits