The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-20
To the Public of Birmingham

Just two years ago, oI October P, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this Companys operations tha this Company earned LESS THAN 3 PER CEN UPON ITS INVESTMENT IN BIRMINGHAM DUR ING 1916.
 This investigation covered period of two years ant seven months
 The city of Birmingham was represented by tw, distinguished counsel, and employed FIVE FIX PERTS.
 These FIVE EXPERTS had access to and examined this COmpanys books, and testified that the books hat been honestly kept, and that there evidence fraud or any attempt to conceal the facts.
 The relations between the Southern Bell Telephon and Telegraph Company and the American Telephon and Telegraph Company and the payments from eacl Company to the other, were fully anG elaborately amined into by the citys FIVE EXPERTS who tes tified at length upon this relationship and thes payments. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THIS RELATION
 SHIP AND THESE PAYMENTS
 Since 1916 the Companys earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS Q O08 per cent.
 During 1919 the Company earned 0.27 per cent During the twelve months beginning August 1919, and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earne O54 per cent upon its investment
 These facts were concusively proved before tn Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing s Montgomery on October and 6.
 The Commission appointed MT. George T. Rosso of Mobile Ala, to examine the books of this Compar and report his findings to the Commission. We have advised the Commission that our books al available for MT. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept as required by the Intersta Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant can speedily verify tI truth or fasity of the statements filed with tl Commission on October and $. vss { :. The relationship between the Southern Bell Tel phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tt .ephone and Telegraph Company is identically | same now as it was when approved by the Conmssit on October Is, 1918 The payments from pany to the other are for the same purpose. that fully testified to by the citys five exper and decided by the Commission in its investigate which ended on October 18, 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed MT. Ro son, and he made examination of this Company books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made a fair, impartial al true examination of books at that time for the ci of Birmingham
 The present service cannot be materially improvg nor can the several thousand applicants for service Birmingham be gwen service until additional faci ties are supplied; nor can Birmingham grow and q. pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingha until we can charge rates which will yield somethi nearer far profit than we now receive.
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birmingham which will turn us profit of less than per cent; profit wh the United States Supreme Court has held would [ confiscatory under present conditions.
 The business interests of Birmingham and the St. of Alabama demand prompt decision in this cal Each days delay postpones the improvement of service and further denies service to the thcusan now without service.
 We believe Mir. Rosson will make a fair mpart1 and true examnation of our books at this time for Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done its part The issue now not one of facts, but DELAYs
 All the EXPERT TESTIMONY ill the world cou not improve the service or add one telephone to t