The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-22
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago. on October 22, 1915 the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after full investigation of this Companys operations that this Company earned LESS THAN 3 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 EA- PERTS.
 These FIVE EXPERTS had access to and examined this Companys books and testified that the books had been honestly kept and that there no 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 amined into by the citys 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 Companys earnings at Birmingham nave 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
 During the twelve months beginning August l. 1919, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned Oo4 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts conclusivey proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October 5 and G.
 The Commission appointed Mir. 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 MT. Rosson's examination. Our books are kept as required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant can speedily verify the truth falsity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and 6.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tee- phone and Telegraph Company and the Amer1can Tel ephone and Telegraph Company Is identically the it was when approved by the Commission October IS, 1918. The payments from pany to the other are for the purpose
 Not one single different new, issue exists now that not fully testified to by the citys five experts, and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended October Is, 1918. In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made an 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 fol service in Birmingham be gwen service until additional faci- 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 a 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 Unated States Supreme Court has held would be confscatory 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 Mir. Rosson will make a fair impartial and true examnation of books al this time for the Alabama Public Servlce Commission