Letter from Bill Motors to French Municipal Council, Public Works Department. Shanghai, December 16, 1932. Source: SMA (FC), U38-4-1113 (0947).

We have purchased the small corner adjoining our Service Station and showroom on Rue Cardinal Mercier and Rue Ratard but we understand this corner will be taken by the French Municipal Council in road developement which they have planned for that corner. In the meantime the adjoining house wall on Rue Ratard presents a very unsightly appearance and we would greatly appreciate permit to erect a decorative sign pending such time as this road developement is undertaken. This sign would give us some use of that piece of property which otherwise would be denied us and also greatly beautify this corner.

Letter from Bill Motors to French Municipal Council, Public Works Department. Shanghai, December 16, 1932. Source: SMA (FC), U38-4-1113 (0946).

We are the owners of F.C. Lot No. 3824 at the corner of Rue Ratard and Rue Cardinal Mercier which at present is enclosed with a bamboo fence. It would be appreciated if you would give us permission to erect modern art sign boards on this corner which in our opinion would beautify this corner considerably.

Letter from Bill Motors to French Municipal Council, Public Works Department. Shanghai, December 16, 1932. Source: SMA (FC), U38-4-1113 (0945).

We are desirous of affixing an ornamental Neon Light sign over our used car showroom on Rue Cardinal Mercier and in order to be effective this sign must be fixed so that the bottom of the sign is about 9 1/2' above the sidewalk.

We understand that you have a regulation that the bottom of any sign must be 11' above the sidewalk. We believe that in this instance the sign would constitute no menace whatsoever -- it does not just out over the sidewalk and we would greatly appreciate if you could allow us to put it out in the position required. If your inspector call we could show him the sign and the required position.

Letter from Bill Motors to French Municipal Council, Public Works Department. Shanghai, December 19, 1932. Source: SMA (FC), U38-4-1113 (0944).

Mr. Ansaldi has advised us that this is a matter that must first be passed upon by the Secretariat's Office. We would greatly appreciated if you could give us a hand -- the proposition we have will greatly improve the looks of that corner.

Rapport N° 19A-BS du Bureau de Surveillance. Shanghai, 27 Décembre, 1932, SMA (FC), U38-4-1113 (0941).

Comme suite aux demandes de Bills Motors, au sujet des enseignes lumineuses et panneaux-réclames projetés Route C. Mercier angle route Ratard, nous avons l'honneur de vous rendre compte que les panneaux-réclames seront installés dans la zone réservée conformément au règlement sur les panneaux-réclames, Ordonnance Consulaire N°91 du 12 Juin 1929.

Quant aux enseignes lumineuses, elle devront être installées à 2m.50 au minimum au-dessus du trottoir, leur saillie ne devra pas dépasser le tiers de la largeur du trottoir [cf. règlement sur les enseignes et affiches lumineuses, Ordonnance Consulaire N°102 du 28 Juillet 1928].