The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-19
To the Public of
 Birmingham


 Just two years ago, on October 22 1918, the Ala Dama Public Service Commission declared after a compagS er0fd of I LESS smRinX eaRSns ER ES 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 Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other were fully and eaborately amined into by the city's 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 Company's earnings at Birmingham have been: During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of 0.O8 per cent. During 1919 the Company earned o.27 per cent.  During tb> twelve months beginning August l, 1913, and 4ding July 31, 1920, the Company earned O.54 per q at upon its investment.
 These facts were concl,siyely proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and 6. Y 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 MT. Rossons examination. {, Our books kept required by the Interstate " Commerce Commission ll competent accountant can speedily verify the Aruth falsity of the statements filed with the i Gommission on October and 6. t~ The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the Amerlcan Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identically the same it was when approved by the Commission on October 18, 1918. The payments from one com pany to the other are for the same purpose. Not one single different, or new, issue exists now that fully testified to by the ctys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October IS, 19l8 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mr. Ros- son, and he made an examination of this Company's books for the city. N We believe MT. Rosson made fair impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city 4 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; can Birmingham grow and ex- band 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- t,,r, a Wh 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 examination of books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission. \ The Company has done it's part The issue now is