Evening star., 1932-07-07
CITES SURRENDER
OF IS B|LLBOARDS
Roche's Survey Is Declared to
Reveal Company'S Desire
to Cooperate.

The General outdoor Advertising Co.
has given up at least 73 Of its Wash
ington billboards within the past month,
District officials reported today in COM
mending the company for its CO.
operation with efforts to remedy
unsightiy conditions in sections where
the presence of public advertising is
held to be undesirable
Among these billboards according to
a survey made public by Sign Inspector
Thomas r. Roche, are 80 poster panels
Of the larger type which have been
removed from the permanent list of
billboard locations authorized under the
sign regulations.
Mr.. Roche's survey also indicates that
so of the billboards abandoned by the
advertising company were of the regu-
lation size, 10 feet by Is feet, and 2 ex-
ceeded those proportions. The other
81 were 4 by boards on former Morton
Co. locations which had been replaced.
Result Of Agreement.
The removal CT IA boards by the
General company from the authorized
list was the result of an agreement
under which the company was permit
ted TO erect in return the same number
of new boards in the vicinity of New
York and Florida avenues northeast, an
industrial zone. The company had long
desired to replace the old, dilapidated
boards on this site with a new type
Of structure, properly landscsped. Be-
cause it was believed desirable TO screen
junking operations on the lot, Maj. John
G. Gotwals, Engineer Commissioner of
the District, finally consented to the
ToFN la 10 1vNara clA . he
condition, however, that the company
should give up IA other boards in vari-
GUS sections of the city. This has been
dcne.
Increased opposition to the city be-
ing cluttered up with outdoor adVertis-
ing displays and determination on the
part of officials to see that the billboard
company lives up to all requirements Of
the regulations has brought about q
marked change in the companys public
policy. John E. Shoemaker, local man
ager, has made the rounds of the city
with Inspector Roche on more than one
occasion and has readily consented to
remove certain boards which the au-
thorities regard as out OF place.
Mr.. Shoemaker has shown a wonder
ful spirit of cooperation and, I be-
lieve, has entered into plans to clean
up conditions with a real desire to
help" Mr.. Roche said.
District authorities and public groups
that are supporting these efforts take
the position that in business and in
dustrial areas outdoor advertising when
properly controlled, has its legitimate
place with other kinds of trade actiyi-
ties. On the other hand, the company
has undertaken to remove Objectionable
advertising structures from locations
where least desirable This cannot all
be done at once, it was pointed out but
the company is undertaking a progress
sive policy which eventually will elini-
nate such advertising matter from resi-
dental districts entirely.
"a Locations Surveyed.
Five Of the large billboards recently
removed by Mr.. Shoemaker were To-
Gated on the 1000 block of Bladenshurp
road northeast, the principal entrance
to Washington from the north. While
Blsoensburg road, near the District line,
Is stll boarded by many glaring poster
panels. District authorities are hopeful
that these conditions will be improved
in time
Twenty-four locations, where one or
more large billboards were erected
were included in the survey made nnh5
nc by Mr.. Roche. A few of these
boards have been cut down To normal
fence size and painted green. This
mas been done on locations where the
po3rds served as a screen for untidv
conditions. Most of the boards. how
ever, have been removed from the prem
ises. In the case Of several. the com
pany has obtained a release from .he
property owners for future responsi
blllty OF maintenance where the owner
OF the premises would not permit re-
moval --'
These latter boards we're reported
as being located as follows: 449 First
street southwest, 100 Tenth street
l0Ol TWenty-siXth street. POI d street
southwest, 500 Twelfth street south
east, 6l9 East Capitol street 2O21
Fourth street and 135 L street south
west.
Seven large billboards have been re-
moved from the 100 block of Good
Hope road southeast, four from the 500
block OF q street and four from the
HOO block OF Twentieth street. Others
are single billboard locations in various
parts OF the city.
The Commissioners have exercised
their judgment in the matter of some
locations, Tor instance, at 1922 Pennsyl-
Vanla avenue southeast, where five
boaros were permitted to remain stand
ing TO serve as fence. They serve,
however, no advertising purpose.
In ADDITION TO the billboard locations
listed by the District inspector, are
| several wall signs which the company
has painted out.