The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-31
To the Public of
 Birmingham

bama Public Service Commission declared, after a full investigation of this Companys operations, that this ComRany @ earned LESS 5> THAN PER CENT 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 EX- 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 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 elaboratey ex- amined 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 151 per cent.
 During 1918 the Company snffered NET LOSS of O.O8 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, Aa 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 falsity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and G.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company. is dentcaly the it was when approved by the Commission October IS, 1918. The payments from one com pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different or new issue exists now that was not fully testified to by the citys five expert 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 Company's books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made fair, 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 our books this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional faci- ties are supplied; nor can Birmingham grow and ex- ' pand without adequate telephone facilities
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingham until we,can charge rates which vii! 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