Evening star., 1939-12-07
Zoning Seen Key to Problem
Of Roadside Identification
Gov. O'Conor Confident Next Legislature
Will Pass Control Measure

increasing public interest in the
problem-the activities Of Feder-
ated Garden Clubs, the Auto Club
of Maryland and other groups.
Regarding the Washington Bal
timore boulevard and other high
ways that "have been marred by
unsightly and glaring signs" Gov.
O'Conor expressed the opinion that
reasonable limitation of CONNER
cialization would enhanced rather
than depreciate property values.
Study Asked by O'Conor.
Gov. O'Conor added that he has
asked the Maryland State Planning
Commission to study "the projected
and inevitable" new Washington
Baltimore parkway or superhighway
to the east of U. S. No. l. Members
of the planning commission and
the Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission have con-
ferred with officials of the Public
Roads Administration, and it is
agreed that the proposed parkway
can be built only through Federal
and State cooperation. This co-op-
Grafton would be necessary both in
obtaining the right of way and in
financing Observation-Disclosures
at 100000 a mile. Chairman Ezra
B. Whitman of the State Roads
Commission, a member of the plan
ming commission, has pointed out
that if the Government would give
rights of way through Fort George
G. Meade, the Agriculture Depart
ment's experiment at Beltsville and
the Greenbelt' housing project area,
Maryland would have to buy only
about 10 miles OF right of way from
private owners.
While the route of the anticipated
superhighway has not been deter
mined, H. C. Whitehurst, director
of highways for the District of Co.
lumbia, has asserted that the Dis
trict will have several connecting
thoroughfares especially prepared to
handle trafic on the new road.
Among the most likely connecting
roads, according to tentative plans
for the superhighway, would be the
Anacostia Parkway, New York ave-
nue. and Kenilworths avenue, Mr..
Whitehurst said.
Want Roadside Law.
One of the things that can be
done to facilitate building of this
projected parkway, road offlcials de-
clare, is enactment of protective
roadside and development law by
the Maryland Legislature.
This, it is believed, will stimulate
many Marylanders to join in the
movement for passage Of statewide
highway zoning law, such as the
Federated Garden Clubs and the
Auto Club Of Maryland advocate.
The Auto Club is an afdliate OF
the American Automobile Associa-
ton, which has placed a highway
zoning law first on its list of objec-
tives for the next Maryland legis-
lative session.
Additional organizations join the
movement constantly. The Vansyille
Farmers Club of Prince Georges
County urged a taxing system to
control billboards and to finance
establishment of the post Of State
landscape architect.
Representatives of the American
Institute of Architects, the Maryland
Society of Architects, the American
Civic and Planning Association and
the Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission were
among those who spoke in favor Of
highway zoning at a committee
hearing when a roadside control
bill was presented to the Maryland
Legislature early this year. That bill,
although there was no open opposi-
tion, died in committee. Since 1t
Is virtually certain to be offered,
perhaps in revised form, at the next
session, its main provisions might
well be reviewed briefly.
50o-Foot Zoning Rule.
The measure, adapted from the
American Automobile Association
suggested uniform act for roadside