The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-01
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 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 fully anG elaboraely ex- amned into by the citys 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 1.51 per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of 008 per cent.
 
 During the twelve months beginning August I, l919 and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earned O54 per cent upon Its investment.
 These facts conclusivey 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 are available for Mr. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth falsity of the statements 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 is identcally the same as it was when approved by the Commission October 18 1918. The payments from pany to the other are for the purpose. that fully testified by the citys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October IS, 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Companys books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city 
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facil- ties are supplied nor 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 fair 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 confiscatory under present conditions
 The business interests of Birmingham and the 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 MT. Rosson will make fair impartial and true examinaton of books this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
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