The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-18
To the Public of
 Birmingham

DlTIIl1n2ndTn
 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 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 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 and eaborately ex- amined into by the cy'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 Companys earnings at Birmingham have been
 Duripg 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent
 During 1918 the Company suffered a NET LOSS of O.O8 per cent
 During 1919 the Company earned O.27 per cent
 During the twelve months beginning August 1, 1919, and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earned O.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were conclusivey 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 Mr. Rossons examination.
 Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth or falsty 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 Tek ephone and Telegraph Company is identically the same now as it when approved by the Commission on October 18 1918. The payments from com pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different, new, issue exists now that fully testified by the cys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October IS, 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed MT. Ros- son, and he made an examination of this Companys books for the city
 We believe MT. Rosson made far impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham.
 We believe MT. 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 the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facil- ties supplied; nor can Birmingham grow and eX- pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingham until we charge rates which vii. yield something nearer fair profit than we now receive sWOULD YOU?
 We are 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 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.
 L,.I ,+, To,;