We cannot find, within the limits of journalistic convention, words
strong enough to record our agree- ment with the widespread and growing public protest at the action of the British Empire Exhibition authorities in disfiguring the magnificent facade of the Stadium with hideous and glaring advertisements. It seems almost inconceivable that a body of men who have had the vision and the practical ability to plan and erect the many fine and stately buildings of the Exhibition and in particular have commissioned Mr. Maxwell Ayrton's superb stadium—surely one of the finest ferro-concrete buildings in existence—should have allowed the Stadium to be horribly disfigured by these huge strips of yellow and red paper, covered by the most debased lettering, which are now stuck right along the once clear and steely skyline. Such an instance of spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar must be, even in England, almost unparalleled. Obviously the matter can never have come before the proper authority, and we cannot but believe that now that public attention has been called to it the offending placards will be removed. To those who have not yet been to Wembley it may seem a small matter, but when they realize the exact position that these advertisements occupy they will see that if they are not removed they will do more to spoil the whole enterprise than any single disfigurement that could be imagined.
* * * *
Previous page
