The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-27
To the Public of Birmingham

Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala nama Public Service Commission declared, after a fu investigation of this Companys operations that this Company earned LESS THAN 5 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 PERTS.
 These FIVE EXPERTS had access to and examined hls 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 Teephone and Telegraph Company and the payments from each Company to the other, were fully and elaboratey ex- amined into by the city 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 Company's earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 151 per cent.
 During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of 0.08 per cent.
 During 1919 the Company earned O27 per cent.
 During the twelve months beginning August l. 1919, and ending July 3, 1920, the Company earned 0.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were conclusively 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
 Wehave 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 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 Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identically the as it was when approved by the Commission October 18, 1918. The payments from conn pany to the other are for the purpose.
 Not one single different, or new, issue exists now that not fully testified to by the cys 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 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
 We believe Mr. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books at this time for the Alabama Pubic Service COmmlSSlOn.
 The present service cannot be materially improved the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facili- ties are supplied; nor Birmingham grow and ex- pand without adequate telephone facilities.
 We cannot add to our investment at Birmingham until we charge rates which will yield something nearer fair profit than we now receive.
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birmingham which will re- turn 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.
 The Company has done its part The issue now is not one of facts, but DELAY.
 All the EXPERT TESTIMONY in the world could