The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-29
To the Public of
 Birmingham


 Just two years ago, on October 22 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after f Investigation of this & &Companys operations hiI that 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 EX- 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 Souther1 Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other were fully anG eaborately 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 Company's earnings at Birmingham have been:
 During 1917 the Company earned 151 per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O.O8 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 O.54 per cent upon its investment
 These facts were conclusively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery 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
 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.
 A competent accountant speedily verify the truth or 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 identically the now as it was when approved by the Commission October IS, 1918 The payments from com pany-to the other are for the purpose.
 Not one single different, or new, issue exists now that was not fully testified 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 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 MT. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission.
 The present service cannot be materially improved nor can the several thousand applicants for service in Birmingham be given service until additional facii- ties are supplied; nor 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 which will re- turn us profit of less than per cent profit which the United 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 this case Each days delay postpones the improvement of the &lnord 4n