The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-17
To the Public of
 Birmingham

DlI lIIlIIIlSlIdIlI Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this CompanyS operations, that this Company earned LESS THAN PER CENT /. UPON ITS INVESTMENT IN BIRMINGHAM DUR ING 1916.
 This investigation covered period of two years and seven months
 The city of Birmingham represented by two distinguished counsel, and employed FIVE FIX PERTS.
 These FIVE EXPERTS had access to and examined this Companys books and testified that the books had been honestly kept and that there evidence of fraud or any attempt to conceal the facts.
 The relations between the Southern, Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other, were fully anG eaboraely amined into by the city's FIVE EXPERTS who tes- tilted at length upon this relationship and these payments.
 THE COMMISSION APPROVED THIS RELATION
 SHIP AND THESE PAYMENTS Since 1916 the Companys earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent. During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O08 per cent
 
 During the twelve months beginning August l, i9lS and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earned U54 per cent upon its investment
 These facts were conclusively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and 6.
 The Commission appointed MT. George T. Rosson of Mobile Ala to examine the books of this Company and report his findings to the Commission
 We have advised the Commission that our books are available for Mr. Rossons examination
 Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant speedily verify the truth falsity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and 6. 6 The relationship between the Southern Bell 1ele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company Is identicaly the 1t was when approved by the Commission October Is, l91S The payments from com pany to the other are for the purpose.
 Not one single different, or new issue exists now that not fully testified to by the city five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended October 18 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made an examination of this COmpanyS { books for the city. We believe Mir. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham.
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor the several thousand applicants fol service in Birmingham be gwen service until addltiona! facili- ties are supplied; can Birmingham grow and ex- pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingham until we can charge rates which will yield something nearer far profit than we now receive
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birmingham which will re- toflp a vvbi the United States Supreme Court has held would be confiscatory under present conditions
 The business interests of Birmingham and the State of Alabama demand prompt decision in thls case Each days delay postpones the improvements of the now without service.
 We believe Mir. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examnaton of our books al this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done its part. The issue now is