Editor’s note: The following editorial from Nov. 23, 1972, does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Bulletin’s editorial board today.

The long fight against billboards on scenic highways in Oregon has been won, in principle. Billboards should being coming down, and soon. But there’s one thing about the whole business still in limbo. That’s the cost of one victory.

Oregon and federal officials and a group of interested citizens worked out a formula for payment to owners of billboards. That formula was objected to by some legislators, and had to be abandoned. Now, it appears the state will have to go to court to establish values.

That creates a couple of problems. There are about 2,600 signs involved. The value of each will have to be considered on its own merits.

That’s a lengthy process.

Then there’s a quirk of Oregon law. If a jury awards more money than the state offers, the state must pay both sides in the case. That’s a valuable protection for the citizen who thinks a state agency offers too little for property it wishes to condemn. But in this case it might result in higher costs to the state than the disputed formula.

No one, excepting possibly the billboard companies, can win in a situation like this. It’s unlikely that even they will win. The rejected settlement figure was negotiated and presumably the companies thought it was fair.

The losers most likely will be the politicians involved. If costs do come down, and that doesn’t seem too likely, the legislators will look good and the governor and his appointees will take the rap. If costs are higher, the legislators will look like a bunch of spendthrifts. There’s more than the money cost involved.