PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES 223 



BILL-BOARDS 



The planting out of ugly features has been recom- 

 mended, but some are so big that they cannot be 

 obliterated, especially in the limited space available 

 for that purpose. These are the bill-boards which 

 have increased alarmingly in spite of legislation and 

 the efforts of various public-spirited bodies to 

 suppress them. Anything which offends the nose 

 or the ear is at once called a nuisance, but many 

 persons have not yet learned that things which offend 

 the eye are also nuisances. A big glaring sign insists 

 on passers-by spending their money for a certain 

 brand of cigar. If a man stood on the curb calling 

 the same words in a loud voice, he would at once 

 be arrested. The same sentiment ought to exist 

 with regard to bill-boards, that take advantage of 

 streets and parkways which have been built at great 

 expense for pleasant drives and walks. These in- 

 solent boards, often two stories in height, face many 

 roadways and public parks, and one cannot approach 

 any large city without having the feeling for beauti- 

 ful landscape continually offended. 



