The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-10
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918 the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this Companys operations that this Company earned LESS THAN PER CENT UPON ITS INVESTMENT IN BIRMINGHAM DUR ING 1916.
 This investigation covered period of two years and 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 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, fully and elaboratey amined into by the citys 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 l51 per cent.
 During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of 0O8 per cent
 During 1919 the Company earned 027 per cent.
 Our1ng the twelve months begmnIng AuSuSt l, 1919 and ending July 31, 1920, the Company earned O54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were conclusively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and G.
 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 speedily verify the truth or falsity 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 identcaly the same now it was when approved by the Commission on October 18 1918. The payments from pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different, 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 MT. Ros- son, and he made an examination of this Company's books for the city,
 We believe MT. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of our 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 fac- ties are supplied nor can 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 now receive.
 WOULD YOU?
 We are asking rates at Birmingham which will re- firm 1s 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 a prompt decision in this case Each days delay postpones the improvement of the service and further denies service the thousands now without service.