The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-06
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Birmingham
 Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after a this Company rs-es. earned ne I 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 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 Souther1 Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other, were fully elaborately 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 Companys earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 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 month. beginning August l, 1919, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned O.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were concusively 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.
 We have advised the Commission that our books are available for Mir. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant can speedily verify the truth fasity of the statements We filed with the Commission October and G. gs The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identically the same now it when approved by the Commission 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 was not fully testified 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 Mr. Ros- son, and he made 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.
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor can 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 can charge rates which vii! 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 Birmingham and the State of Alabama demand prompt decision in thls case. Each days delay postpones the improvement of the service and further denies service to the thousands now without service.
 We believe MT. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examnation of books at this time for the ' Alabama Public Service Commission.
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