The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-18

and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other, were fully and esboratey ex- amined into by the city's FIVE EXPERTS who tes- tfied at length upon this relationship and these payments
 TIE 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 COS per cent
 During 1919 the Company earned 0.27 per cens
 During the twelve months beginning August l, l9l9 and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earned o54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were conclusivey 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, 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 Mr. Rosson's 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 5 and 6
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company aud the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company IS identically She same it was when approved by the Commission on October IS, 1918. The payments from one con,- pany tho other axe for the purpose
 Not one single different or new, issue exists now tha not fully testified to by the citys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October 1S 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Company's books for the city.
 We believe Mr. 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 the several thousand applicants for service 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 mtil we can charge rates which will yield something nearer far profit than we now receive.
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birming gham 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 servlce.
 We believe MT. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission
 The Company has done its part The issue now is not one of facts, but DELAY.
 All the EXPERT TESTIM ONY in the world could not improve the service or add one telephone to the plant. That can only be done by practical men and the expenditure of money.
 We have tried to give the public facts by advertise ments and pamphlets and by appearing before civic oruanizations We have given the facts to the Ala hama Public Service Commission. We shall be glad to give any information desired by any telephone user or those desiring service
 SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY Ss
 By j. Epps Brown President