The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-25
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago, October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after a full investigation of this Companys operations that tnls 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 was represented by two distinguished counsel, and employed FIVE EX- PERTS.
 this Companys books and testified the books had been honestly kept and that there was no 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 elaboratey ex- 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 Companys earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent.
 During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of ] 0.08 per cent.
 r During 1919 the Company earned O.27 per cent.
 During the twelve months beginning August l. 1918, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned O.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were concusvey proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and G.
 The Commission appointed MT. 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 as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth or falsity of the statements We filed with the Commission on October 3 and G. @#
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identicaly the same as it was when approved by the Commission on 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 city. 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 an 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 of Birmingham The present service cannot be materially improved nor can the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facil ties are supplied; 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 far profit than now receive.
 WOULD YOU? aiMiWa
 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 examnaton of books this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done its part The issue now is