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

DlTI11lnSndI1
 Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this Companys operations, tha 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 These FIVE EXPERTS had access to and examined hls Company 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 ana telegraph Company and the American Telephone and telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other, were fully anG eaborately 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 1.5l per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O.O8 per cent. During 1919 the Company earned O.27 per cent
 During the twelve months beginning August l, 1919, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned U.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were conclusively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October 5 and 6.
 The Commission appointed MT. George T Rosson Of Mobile Ala, to examine the books of this Company and report his findings to the Commission.
  available for MT. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept as required by the interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant speedily verify the truth or fasity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and G -s The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the Amefra an Tel ephone and Telegraph Company identisally the same it when approved by the Cag.r,.ssion on October IS, 1918. The payments from pany to the other are for the same purpose
 Not one single different or new, issue exists now that fully testified to by the citys five experts, and decided by the Commission in its 'igation which ended on October Is, 1918
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mir. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Company's books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made a far impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city 
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor the several thousand applicants fo service in Birmingham be given service until additional facili- 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 will yield something nearer far 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 Birmingnam and the State of Alabama demand a 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 Mr. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books al this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done its part The issue now is