The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-22
To the Public of
 Birmingham

Just two years ago, on October 22, 1918, the Ala bama Public Service Commission declared, after a 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 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 ex amined into by the cty'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 y'searnings at Birmingham have been
 During 1917 the Company earned 1.51 per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O.O8 per cent
 During the twelve months beginning August l.
 
 O.54 per cent upon its investment
 These facts were concllsively proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October 5 and 6.
 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 Mr. Rossons examination.
 Our books are kept required by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 competent accountant speedily verify the truth or falsty of the statements filed with the Commission on October 5 and 5.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tee- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is ,dent'caily the as it was when approved by the Commission on October 18 1918. The payments from one com pany to the other for the same purpose
 Not one single different, new, issue exists now that was fully testified to by the c 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- son, and he made an examination of thls Companys books for the city
 We believe Mr. Rosson made far impartial and true examination of books at that time for the city of Birmingham
 We believe Mr. Rosson will make a 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 faclll- 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 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 The Company has done its part. The issue now is not one of facts, but DELAY.
 All the EXPERT TESTIMONY ill the world could