Evening star., 1932-02-17
REID TO SPONSOR
NEW SIGN BILL
Will Introduce Compromise
Measure in Virginia
House Today.
Detroit bootleggers.
BY Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

RICHMOND, Va, February H.
Billboard opponents and the operators
of the roadside signs are said to have
reached compromise whereby the pas
sage of moderate billboard legislation
may be accomplished during the pres
ent sessions of the General Assembly.
The so-called compromise measure,
which first came to light last night at
a signboard hearing before the Senate
Roads Committee. was to be introduced
in the House of Delegates today by
Delegate Hugh Reid Of Arlington Coun-
ty, who believes the measure should be
more stringent, but Is Of the opinion
it is the best that can be accomplished
at the present session.
the substitute bill at last nights hear
ing and it was referred to a subcom-
mittee, consisting Of Senators Weaver
Noell and Woodson for further study.
License Fee Required.
The new measure would provide for
a registration fee of so cents for the
smaller signs and 81 for the larger ones
In addition to this fee 1t provides that
each outdoor advertising sign be marked
with number, the name OF the county,
the date of the permit issuance and the
name of the owner.
Senator Weaver explained that the
substitute measure had been drawn in
conference with the principal objectors
to the original bill and that many OF
the more Objectionable features had
oeen eliminated. Among the conferees
was Judge r. r. Parker, representing
the larger outdoor advertisers.
The original bill provided for an an
nual license fee Of 2 cents for each
square foot Of space consumed, as well
as for registration, and setback Of sc
feet. All of these provisions have been
eliminated in the substitute measure.
For several days, it is said. negotia-
tions have been going on between the
billboard opponents and the representa-
tives of the larger advertising concerns.
The billboard opponents have gotten
the billboard interests to agree. it is
said, to the annual permit system,
which is the principal thing that the
anti-billboard interests have desired at
this time.
Manufacturers Object.
The principal objectors to the SUBJ
stitute measure are the manufacturers
of metal signs, who were represented
at last nights hearing by S. DuVall
Martin of Lynchburg. He declared that
the registration fees would drive his
people out Of business.
Judge A. c. Carson Of Riverton, vet
eran billboard opponent, is not wholly
satisfied With the new measure, but be-
lieves it Is the best that can be done
at the present time, it was said, and
will not object.
Delegate Reid declared that the
original bill would have been referred
II vrhA
reached the House and that committee
is hostile to it. He proposes, therefore.
to introduce the substitute measure
which, because it is not tax measure,
will be referred to the Committee on
General Laws, of which he is chair
man.
Women Seek Safety.
Proponents of the original bill were
represented at last nights hearing by
Mrs. Janet Stuart Durham, who said
that she was representing several won-
ems organizations which are seeking
public safety, a more beautiful highway
landscape and increased revenue for
the State. She said that she was not
familiar with the substitute measure,
but voiced objection to the elimination
of the tax and setback features.
Mrs. Durham declared that the State
is spending millions of dollars yearly on
roads that are being used as show
windows by the advertisers and de-
clared that if this practice Is kept UP
they should pay for the privilege.
Judge Parker told the committee that
the proper regulation of outdoor ad-
! vertising would not meet with opposi-
tion from the advertising companies.
He contended, however, that the mat
ter cannot be approached from local
or state point of view. He declared
that the Widespread operation Of the
sienboard companies and the sources
from which their business comes will
sooner or later necessitate national
regulation. While the companies are
not seeking legislation In Virginia at
this time, he said. If any must be
passed they prefer the substitute meas