The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-21
To the Public of
 Birmingham

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 3 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 elaborately 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 0.08 per cent
 During 1919 the Company earned 027 per cent.
 During the twelve months beginning August l. 1919, and ending July 31 1920, the Company earned O.54 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 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 MT. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth falsty of the statements filed with the Commission on October and 6.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tel phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company Is identcaly tic same it when approved by the Commission October Is, 1918 The payments from pany to the other are for the purpose.
 Not one single different, or new, issue exists nov that fully testified by the citys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October l8 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 Mr. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham.
 We believe Mr. Rosson will make fair impartial and true examination of books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The present service cannot be materially improved 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 fair profit than we now receive.
 WOULD YOU?
 We asking rates at Birmingham which will re- turn 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 Stats of Alabama demand prompt decision in this case. Each days delay postpohes the improvement of the service and further denies service to the thousands without service.
 The Company has done it's part The issue now is not of facts, but DELAY.
 All the EXPERT TESTIMONY in the world could not improve the service or add one telephone to the