The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-05
To the Public of
 Birmingham


 Just two years ago. on October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared after a this CompanV earned oe Is LESS HN PER NT sNa 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 this 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 and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other were fully anG elaboratey ex amined into by the citys FIVE EXPERTS who tes- 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 NET LOSS of O.0s per cent.
 During 1919 the Company earned O.27 per cent
 
 During the twelve months beginning August 1, 1919, and ending July 31, 192O the Company earned U54 per cent upon its investment. These facts were concusivey 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 Aa., 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 $ required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant can speedily verify the truth falsty of the statements We 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 identcaly the it was when approved by the Commission 7 on October 18, 1918 The payments from one com- pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different, or new, issue exists now that not fully testified to by the citys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October IS, 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed MT. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Company's books for the city,
 We believe MT. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham.  The present service cannot be materially improved can 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 Birmingham until we can charge rates which will yield something nearer fair profit than we now receive.
 WOULD YOU? We are asking rates at Birmingham whicI 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 how without service.
 We believe MT. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true exammaon of our books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The Company has done it's part. The issue now is not one of facts, but DELAY.