The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-08
To the Public of
 Birmingham

DAA AAAAAA 9AA
 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 was 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 was no evidence o fraud or any attempt to conceal the facts.
 The relations between the Southenn Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other fully and eaborately ex- amined into by the city's FIVE EXPERTS who tes- tified at length upon this relationship and these payments.
 THE COMMISSION APPROVED THIS RELATION
 SHIP AND THESE PAYMENTS
 Since 1916 the Company's earnings at Birmingham. have been During 1917 the Company earned 151 per cent, During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of COS per cent
 During 1919 the Company earned O27 per cent.
 During the twelve months beginning August + 1919, and ending July 3, 1920, the Company earned O54 per cent upon its investment
 These facts were conclusively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and G.
 The Commission appointed Mr. 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 available for MT. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth fasty of the statements We filed with the Commission on October and 6
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company identically the same now it when approved by the Commission on October Is, 1918. The payments from com pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different or new, issue exists now that was fully testified to by the ctys five experts, and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October 18, 191S
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed MT. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Companys books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made fast 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 for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facili- ties are supplied; nor can Birmingham grow and pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingham until we can charge rates which wi. yield something nearer a far profit than we now receive
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birmingham which will re- turn us profit of less than per cent; profit which the United States Supreme Court has held would be confscatory under present conditions.
 The business interests of Birmingham and the State of Alabama demand prompt decision in this Each days delay postpones the improvement of the service and further denies service to the thousands now without service.
 We believe MT. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done it's part The issue now is not one of facts but DELAY