The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-03
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago, on October 22 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared after a full investigation of this Company's operations, that this Company earned LESS THAN PER CENT 7 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 Company books and testified that the books had been honestly kept and that there was 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 eaborately amined into by the city's FIVE EXPERTS who tes- tfied at length upon this relationship and these payments
 THE COMMISSION APPROVED THIS RELATION
 SHIP AND THESE PAYMENTS
 Since 1916 the Company earnings at Birmingham. have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent
 During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O.O8 per cent. During 1919 the Company earned O.27 pc. cent
 During the twelve months beginning August l, 1919, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned U.o4 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were concusivey proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and G.
 The e~Commssion appointed Mir. 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 ROSSOn'S
 Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant can speedily verify the truth falsity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and G.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell TeIe- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identicaIly the as it was when approved by the Commission on October 18, 1918. The payments from pany to the other for the purpose.
 Not one single different, or new issue exists now that fully testified to by the cys five experts, and decided by the Commission in it's investigation which ended on October IS, 1918
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Company's books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made fal impartial and
 true examination of our books at that tm9 for the city of Birmingham.
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor can 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 will yield something nearer a fair profit than we 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 tie State of Alabama demand prompt decision in this case Each days delay postpones the improvement of the service and further denies service to the thousands now without service.
 We believe Mir; Rosson will make fair, impartial