Evening star., 1941-02-22
Nearby Delegations
Support Maryland
Roadside zoninq
Control Of Sienboords
And Identification of
Rights Of Way Urged
B. e staff Correspondent OF The Star.

By e staff Correspondent OF The Star
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Feb. 22.-Dele-
cations from Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties appeared
at the Senate Roads and Highways
Committee hearing yesterday in
support of four measures providing
for roadside Zoning, control Of park
ways and freeways and purchase of
land for Identification along State
rights of way.
Washington I. Cleveland, explain
ing he was speaking for members
of the District of Columbia Motor
Club of the American Automobile
Association, but also expressed the
views of the Montgomery County
Civic Federation and the Greater
Kensington Civic League. gave un-
qualified - )orr to the program,
which was Introduced in the Cen
eral Assembly by the State Legisla-
tive Council.
A delegation of more than 20
Prince Georges County individuals
and representatives of garden clubs
and other civic organizations,
headed by Mrs. Richard c. Zantz-
niger of the Forest Garden Club,
also indorsed the bills.
Signboard Bills Prepared.
Meanwhile, the Prince Georges
County delegation was preparing
for introduction in the House next
week two bills regulating sign
boards and providing for zoning on
Central avenue from the District
line to the PatuXent River and on
the Largo road between the Grain
and Defense highways, Delegate
Ralph w. Powers announced.
One of the bills would limit signs
to 80 square feet in size and require
them to be erected within so feet
of the place of business they adver-
tise. Provisions against the State
Roads Commission issuing permits
inconsistent with the bill will be
provided and violations would be
punishable by a fine up to 5000.
The other bill would give the
county commissioners Zoning au-
thority within 500 feet of the rights
of way, the Zoning to be made after
the usual hearings and notice OBJ
tanning in residential and CONNER
cial zoning cases.
Cites Baltimore Boulevard.
Speaking on the State wide meas
ures, Mr. Cleveland pointed to the
Neutrality-suspicious. boulevard as
an example of what would happen
to the many new roads needed and
soon to be built in this area if regu-
lation is not imposed now.
John w. Sherwood. Baltimore oil
dealer, also urged passage of the
measures.
Mr.. Sherwood told the committee
that his company several years ago
had erected roadside bulletins" at
points where they would do most
to divert drivers attention.
When the signs were taken down
at the request of the Federated Gar
den Clubs of Maryland-the COM
pany's business increased rather
than decreased, he said
The oil industry and other in
dustries," Mr.. Sherwood said, want
you to adopt these bills
Camp Operator Opposes Bill.
Opposing the measures was Charles
j. Henitzeman, former member of
the Baltimore City Council, who
identified himself as an Anne Arun-
del County property owner and op-
orator of tourist camps.
Maj. Ezra B. Whitman, chairman
of the Maryland State Roads Com
mission, which would hold the regu-
latory power outlined in the bills,
had charge of the meeting. The
hearing was moved from committee
room to the Senate chamber at the
last moment because of the large
crowd.
A fifth bill for roadside control
through taxation, which prohibits
signs within 500 feet of main road
intersection, is in the Senate Finance
Committee. A hearing has been set
for Wednesday at s pm.