The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-19
To the Public of
 Birmingham

>AA A1A
 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 fully anG eaborately 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 151 per cent. During 1918 the Company suffered NET LOSS of O.O8 per cent.
  During the twelve months beginning August I, 1919, and ending July 31, 1920 the Company earned O.54 per cent upon its investment.
 These facts were concusivey proved before the Alabama Public Service Commission at the hearing at Montgomery on October and G.
 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. Rosson's examination.
 Our books are kept as required b. the nterstass Commerce Commission.
 A competent accountant speedily verify the truth or falsity of the statements filed with the Commission on October and 6.
 The relationship between the Southern Bell Iels- phone and Telegraph Company and the American Tel ephone and Telegraph Company, is ,denticaiiy sne it was when approved by the Iornnalssl1a on October 18 1918. The payments from one cona- pany to the other are for the same purpose.
 Not one single different, new, issue exists now that not fully testified to by the cys five experts and decided by the Commission in its investigation which ended October Is, 1918.
 In 1911 the city of Birmingham employed MT. Ros- son, and he made examination of this Companys books for the city,
 We believe Mr. Rosson made fair, impartial and true examination of our books at that time for the city of Birmingham
 We believe Mr. Rosson will make fair impartial and true examination of our 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 facil- ties are supplied; 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 service and further denies service to the thousands now without service.