The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-16
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala oama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this Companys operations, that this Company p 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 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, were fully and elaboGatey amined into by the city'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 Company's earnings at Birmingham have been
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent
 During 1918 the Company suffered a NET LOSS of OO8 per cent. p 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. sI These facts conclusively 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 speedily verify the truth or falsty of the statements filed with the Commission on October and 6.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American el- as it was when approved by the Commission on October IS, 1918. The payments from one com pany to the other for the same purpose.
 Not one single different or new issue exists that was not fully testified by the cits five experts, and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October 18 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 Mr. Rosson made fair impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham.
 We believe Mr. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of our 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 facili- ties are supplied; can Birmingham grow and ex- pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Brmingham 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 StaA9 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.
 Tho Con,nanv hac dnno ifc nort The isSl1n now is