Show I Highway Billboards I The effort to r beautify the na nations nation's na- na tion's s 's highways has encountered I stiff opposition and perhaps the worst blow to the efforts of Lady j u u Bird Johnson and others was an estimate of 18 billion dollars dollars dollars dol dol- lars in January as the cost of for signs I to be removed from highways THE PRESENT programs program's ams am's spending authority expires at atthe atthe atthe the end of June and it Is questionable questionable questionable ques ques- whether Congress Congress- facing a heavy will deficit will vote add additional funds to carry carryon on the program Some veteran lawmakers lawmakers lawmakers law law- makers have spoken In what can only be called discouraging a gin g words In recent weeks If the nation cant can't afford to finance the program In time of war and heavy deficit spending and and it probably cant can't sus sus- pension Is in order However the program should not be al allowed allowed alloyed al- al lowed loyed to die There Is no reason reason reason rea rea- son why progress cannot be resumed after a necessary suspension suspension sus sus- pension because of the present economic pinch HIGHWAY A Y beautification Is important to all Americans Our countryside and natures nature's beauty all Not only does highway litter all Not only do highway 11 litter Her Herand and unrestricted signs ruin the landscape and the natural beauty beauty beauty beau beau- ty of our countryside but such clutter Is also a distraction and the foe of highway safety I |