The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-24

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 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 Birminghan 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 027 per cent.
 During the twelve months beginning August l, 1918, and ending July 3l, 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 6.
 The Commission appointed Mr. George T. Rosson Of Mobile Ala, tC examine the books of thls 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 or falsty of the statements filed with the Commission on October and G.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tee- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is dentically the same now as it was when approved by the Commission October Is, 1918. The payments from pany the other are for the purpose
 Not single different, new issue exists now that fully testified to by the city 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- hcA, oGo ofiOr fhICC books for the city.
 We believe MT. Rosson made fair, impartial and 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 foi service in Birmingham be given service until additlona! faci 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 will 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 this 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 this time for the Alabama Public Servlce Commission.
 The Company has done its part The issue now is not one of facts, but DELAY.
 All the EXPERT TESTIMONY in the world could not improve the service add telephone to the plant. That can only be done by practical men and the expenditure of money.
 We have tried to give the public facts by advertise ments and pamphlets and by appearing before civic organizations. We have given the facts to the Ala hama Pubic Service Commission. We shall be glad to give any information desired by any telephone user or those desiring service. SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE N AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY VA1
 By J. Epp. Brown. President