In order to gain any headway in legislation it will require 
the combined efforts of all organizations interested in preserving 
and developing the natural beauties of our country, otherwise it 
will be a vastly expensive operation — the first is possible and 
may best be accomplished by a nation-wide society, the members 
of which paying nominal dues, may cover necessary expenses. 
This method is under consideration at the present time and it 
is hoped a meeting may be held this autumn in New York to 
thoroughly investigate this matter. 
The second point, expense, is rather terrifying when we 
consider the apparently limitless wealth of the bill-board 
interests. It is reported that forty-four million dollars were 
paid out in advertising last year. 
In March a meeting was held in New York at the Town Hall, 
organized by "The Municipal Art Association." Our commit- 
tee was invited to participate but after considerable discussion 
it was deemed unwise, for two reasons — first, this meeting was 
called to discuss the abuse of city advertising, whereas our work 
for the present at least, must be confined to rural conditions. 
Second, the bill-board interests were asked to join and debate 
the subject. A majority of our committee feeling this might 
injure rather than assist our cause, we withdrew. 
The commercial advertisers attended in large numbers and 
their clever but shameless speaker, in his argument with Mr. 
Joseph Pennell, created so much excitement the meeting was 
finally adjourned in disorder. It was obvious our decision had 
been a correct one. 
Although it is a long road to success in this work we must 
not lose our way in pessimism, but feel there are more invisible 
but none the less real sign posts pointing toward the beautifying 
of our highways, than there are sign boards to mar them. 
Before ending this report may I take the chance that some 
of the members have not seen this all-too-true article taken from 
a recent copy of Life. 
"See America First" 
' ' Twenty-eight miles to the Hotel Wilmerding. " ' ' Bull Durham. ' ' 
"Burrow's Eustless Screens — All Cities." "Pictures Ahead — Kodak as 
you go." "Bull Durham." "Try Peppo-Cola — the Enemy of Thirst." 
"Twenty-two miles to the Hotel Wilmerding." " Chesterfields— I '11 Say 
They Satisfy!" "That Good Gulf Gasoline." "Picture Ahead— Kodak 
as you go. " " Sehenek 's Mandrake Liver Pills. " " Bull Durham. ' ' 
"Put Your Best Effort Into Everything You do Today "—" Botary Club 
Members. " " Blue Label Ketchup. " " You are now entering the town 
of Milchville where the first trolley ear in America was built. It was on 
the occasion of the car 's first trip that Sitting Bull arose and offered his 
seat to a lady — Goodrich's History of America." "Gorton's Boneless 
Codfish. " " You Fought for your Country- — Now Work for it. ' ' — Botary 
Club Members. " " Bull Durham. ' ' Eleven Miles to the Hotel Wilmerding. 
Does this not cause us to feel we can redouble our efforts 
to fight this growing menace? 
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