Advertising in Public Motorcars and in Trucks - Fine Arts Studio's application - Advertising on Motor Cars (disapproved). 1939. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3812 (2651-2657). 

Letter from Fine Art Studios to Secretariat of SMC. Shanghai, July 11, 1936. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3812 (2657).
 
The undersigned herewith begs to put a petition to the competent authorities with a view of granting him the monoply for starting in this city advertisement-cars as shown on the adjoined drawing.
 
It is intended to erect advertisement pillars in the main streets of Shanghai. The way of advertising shall be carried out in posting bills which, from the point of view of advertising are considered to have a high attractive power.
 
It is hereby certified that the firm to which this application is concerned is going to deal only with objects for the purpose of propaganda for industry, commerce, and technic, being composed of artistic workmanship.
 
Trusting that you will take my to days petition into consideration in a positive sense, I trust to be honoured with a favourable reply. 

Report from Commissioner of Police to Secretary. "Letter from Fine Art Studios dated July 11, 1939. Advertising on Motor Cars". Shanghai, July 17, 1936. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3812 (2656). 

It would be contrary to Traffic Regulation No. 63 to give the permission requested by the Fine Arts Studio in their letter dated July 11, 1939.  

Deputy Secretary to Fine Art Studios. Shanghai, July 20, 1936. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3812 (2653-2655).

In reply to your letter of July 11, I have to inform you that the Council has consistently refused to licence vehicles designed solely for the display of advertisements since it is contrary to its policy to permit the addition to the already over-congested streets of vehicles which do not serve primarily in the capacity of passenger or freight vehicles. Moreover vehicles of this nature are prohibited under the Trafic Regulations. 

The Council is also opposed to the erection of advertisement pillars in the streets in view of the obstruction which would be caused thereby.