The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-20
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 Company's 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 FIX 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 Telephnne and Telegraph Company and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the payments from each Company to the other were fully and elaborately ex- 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 .s1 per cent During 1918 the Company suffered NET,LnSSof OO8 per cent .A4-.- During 1919 the Company earned OFT per cent w
 
 1919 and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned 054 per cent upon its investment tax These facts were conclusively proved before He Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing zt Montgomery on October and 6.
 The Commission appointed MT. George T. Rospn 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 filed with the : Commission on October and G. A
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company is identically the same now it when approved by the Commission on October IS, 1918 The payments from pany to the other are for the same purpose
 Not one single different or new, issue exists that was fully testified by the citys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended on October 1S 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed Mir. 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 Mr. Rosson will make fair, impartial and true examination of books at this time for the Alabama Public Service Commission :t 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; 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 a 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+ho EYpEPT TECTTMONV in tho uorld co,lA