Wyatt and Zimmerman to Public Works Department. Shanghai, December 5, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2251-2252).  

We are interested in a scheme of advertising on pavements, the general idea of which is as follows: Advertising signs of letters, pictures and symbols, such as are used on boards of illustrated newspapers, are painted on sidewalks in a pigment capable of standing the wear and tear which the pavements of this city are subject to, for 1 to 3 months. The pigment is phosphorescent so the advertisements can be seen at night. They take 24 hours to remove, entailing absolutely no damage to the sidewalks.
 
The distance between two advertisements would be from 50 to 100 feet (or more of required by your Dept, and all desins could be submitted to you for your approval.
 
It is not intended that any advertising should be placed on curbs.
 
We shall be obliged if you will advise us if you are willing to allow us the right to use the sidewalks in this way and the exclusive right for a certain period, and if so, what licence fee would be assessed and how.
 
(p.2/2) As the advertising is on the pavements the traffic would in no way be interfered with. 

Commissioner of Public Works to Assistant Commissioner of Police - "STREET ADVERTISING".  Shanghai, December 6, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2253).  

I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. H. Wyatt relative to a proposal for advertising on footpaths. I think that there is no doubt that the request should be refused, but I shall be glad if you will let me have your views on the matter before I reply to Mr. Wyatt. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Public Works - "STREET ADVERTISING". Shanghai, December 6, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2254). 

One of the applicants made a similar application to the Council on October 1 and the attached is a copy of this department's comment thereon. Sidewalks only are mentioned in present application but the same commence applied regarding suitability.

I feel sure you will agree that we have sufficient obstruction on our many overtaxed and inadequate footpaths without collecting more.   
 
Copy of Report by Assistant Commissioner (Traffic).  "Advertising - Application of M. Zimmerman". Shanghai, October 4, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2255).

In consider the proposed method of advertising is most unsuitable for Shanghai. His idea is to paint advertising signs on the road surface and to let in Neon Light below the surface and cover them with thick plate glass. 

A considerable amount of obstruction would be caused by re-painting and further by the replacing of broken glass as is bound to happen with iron tyred vehicles. This idea would also be prone to cause a driver's attention to wander from his job. I recommend that the application be flatly refused.  

Commissioner of Public Works to Wyatt and Zimmerman. Shanghai, December 7, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2257).

In reply to your letter of the 5th instant, I regret I am unable to recommend the Council to approve your proposal to paint advertisements on the footpaths in the Settlement.  

Copy of Minute of Traffic Committee Meeting - "Street Advertising". Shanghai, December 20, 1929. Source: SMA (SMC) U1-14-3257 (2257). 

The application of MR. M. Zimmerman regarding a scheme for advertising on streets and pavements has been disapproved.