Tramway Company. Advertising on Exterior of Trams. 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2041-2060).

Letter from Shanghai Electric Construction Company to Secretary. Shanghai, November 13, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2042).

We have recently been asked on several occasions to display advertisements on the outisde of our Tramcars and Trolley Buses advertising local and other products in much the same way as is now done on the Buses operated by the China General Omnibus Company, Limited.

I beg to enclose tracings showing a method of fiwing advertisement boards on the sides of the roof of our: A - Tramcars B - Trailer Cars C - Trolley Buses and shall be glad if the Council will give their consent to such an arrangement and the exhibition of advertisements thereon.

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The French Tramways propose to exhibit advertisements in a similar manner on the outside of their Tramwars and Trolley Buses and desire permission for vehicles displying such advertisements to operate in the Foreign Settlement.  

Report from Commissioner of Police to Acting Secretary (J.M. McKee). "Your No. 2413 dated 13/11/28". Shanghai, November 15, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2043).

There is no police objection to advertisements appearing on tramcars under the same conditions laid down in your letter dated 1/12/27 to the China General Omnibus Company, Limited.  

Memorandum from Acting Secretary to Watch & Traffic Committees. "Advertising on Exterior of Trams." Shanghai, November16, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2044-2045).

Application by the Tramway Company for permission for advertisments to be carried on the exterior of trams. The Police offer no objection.
Since this privilege has been granted in respect of buses (vide file attached) ti would appear to be only consistent to waive the prohibition in the Tramway Agreement and to accord a similar privilege in respect of trams, subject to police censorship of the advertising matter and to such other regultions as the Council may impose.
I have to add that the French Tramways may have secured such permission from the French Municipal Office.  

Letter from Secretary to Provisional Commission for the Municipal Administration of the French Concession (Commission Provisoire d'Administration de la Concession Française). Shanghai, November 22, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2046).

I have the honour to inform you that application has been made to the Council by the Shanghai Electric Construction Company, Limited, for permission for trade advertisements to be carried on the exterior of their tramcars and trolley buses and that the Council is prepared to accord such permission, subject to Police censorship of the advertising matter and such other  regulations as the Council may, in its discretion, from time to time deem desirable to impose.
As the question is one which affects the vehicles of the French Tramway Company operating in this Settlement, I have the honour to seek an understanding with your Administration in this matter, and to enquire whether your Administration is in agreement with the Council's attitude and with the proposed terms upon which such advertising by the two Tramway Companies may be permitted.
 
Letter from S.M.C. Secretary to Provisional Commission for the Municipal Administration of the French Concession (Commission Provisoire d'Administration de la Concession Française). Shanghai, December 5, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2047-2048).

I have the honour to refer to my letter of November 22, relative to advertising on the exterior of tramcars, and to enquire whether your Administration is yet in a position to furnish a reply thereto?  
 
Translation of a letter from the French Municipal Administration dated December 12, 1928. Shanghai, December 12, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2049).

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 22, on the subject of the affixing of exterior advertisements to trams and railless-cars. In reply, we would inform you that the Municipality gave consideration to your letter at its meeting on December 10 and has no objection to offer as regards this form of exterior advertising on the vahicls of the Shanghai Electric Construction Company, provided that the French Tramway Company are permitted by your Administration to carry similar advertising on its vehicles maintaining a joint service with the International Settlement Tramways.  

Original Letter (in French) from Provisional Commission for the Municipal Administration of the French Concession. "Publicité sur véhicules des Services Transports en commun de l'Administration française". Shanghai, December 12, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2050).

Nous avons l'honneur d'accuser réception de votre lettre du 22 Novembre relative à l'apposition de réclames extérieures sur les tramways et railless-cars de la Compagnie des Tramways de votre Concession.

En réponse, nous vous faisons connaître que la Commission Municipale a pris connaissance de votre lettre au cours de sa séance du 10 Décembre et ne voit pas d'objection à formuler en ce qui concerne le mode de publicité extérieure sur les voitures de la "Shanghai Electric Construction Company" sous réserve que la Compagnie Française de Tramways soit autorisée par contre Administration à faire circuler avec des réclames semblables, ses voitures en trafic commun sur l'International Settlement.  

Letter from Acting Secretary to Shanghai Electric Construction Company. Shanghai, December 14, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2051-2052).
 

Letter from Shanghai Electric Construction Company to Secretary. Shanghai, December 17, 1928. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1284 (2053).

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter No.2413 dated 14th inst. (Decembre 1928) and note the conditions under which the Municipal Council agree the exhibition of advertisements on the exteriori of our Tramcars and Trolley Buses.
Before any arrangements are made to exhibit such advertisements, we will agree procedure with the Commissionner of Police.
Will you kindly convey my thanks to the Council for the consideration they have extended to use in this matter.