The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-08
LIBERTY BUILDS
 GREAT FACTORY
First Sod Turned for An other Mammoth Detroit
 Motor Car Plant

The only wheels that turned at the Lib erty motor car factory last Tuesday morn- ing were those of some hundreds of L4ib- erty cars that carried the officials. em- ployes, out-of-town dealers and score of enthusiastic Liberty owners out to the new factory site at Charlevoix avenue and Corners lane to witness President Percy Owen turn the first sod in the break ing of the ground for the new plant. The ceremonies opened with the playing of the Star Spansled Banner, after which J. k, Fields, the general sales manager of the Liberty Motor Car company, act ing a s master of ceremonies, introduced as speakers the following men, whose names are all recognized is prominent in Detroits motor car activities: President Percy Owen F. C, OMeara of the Michi- gan Manufacturer and Financial Record. one of the country's leading writers on in- dustrial topics; Captain Gilbreath, man. ager of the Detroit Automobile club; J. H, Cullen of the Detroit board of conn merce and H. H. Esselstyn, Detroit com missioner of public works.
 After the speeches President Owen picked up a souvenir gold spade, embossed with the Liberty seal and deftly turned the first bit of earth for the factory foun- dation.
 The factory site for the greater Liberty plant comprises F acres. railroad in the rear, and siding a the east of the plant, give ample transportat ton facili ties inside of the property limits There will be three principal buildings and a fac- tcry power house. The layout and con- structon of the three principal buildings and the power house as well will be as f~1,y farat ,,,I ,1eta I1Y Io signing and construction methods can make them.
 The administration headquarters will front on Charlevoix avenue, which is to be converted into a handsome boulevard. This building will be 50x200 feet in size, of brick colonial construction, and in ap- pearance will resemble rather an up-to- Gate clubhouse than a regulation office building
 One of the distinctive ideas for this building is a tower, modelled after that of Independence hall. and which will con- tain a replica of the Liberty Bell instead of the conventional factory whistle On the first floor will be located all of the production offices and display rooms | for the latest Liberty models, The sec ond floor will house the executive and sales offices of the company. Among the conveniences on this floor will be the l girls rest room, and also the unusual 1 feature of mems smoking room as well l Building No ? is located immedia tely 1 behind the administration building Ths building will house service. experimenta' and closed body mounting departments, as
 will be the girls rest room, and also the 1 unusual feature of mems smoking room, 1 as we'll
 l Building No ? is located immediately be- 1 hind the administration building. Int i building will house a service, expert mental and closed body mounting depart
 ments. as we'll as the officers and em 1 ployes' restaurants. The size of this
 building is 60 by 320 feet.
 1 Just back of it will be the main as sen1bly building, which is to be 12o by 16 ] feet in size, a tremendously large build 1 ing, which will give thoroughly adequat'
 facilities for the production of Libert, 1 cars
 The power house will complete the nev plant for the present, but all the build l ings have been so designed that addition may be made as required.
 Cement driyeways will ruh between tn
 buildings, giving easy access and egres
 for all kinds of transportation.
 The loading platform from which Lib
 erty cars are shipped to all parts of tn
 world is already erected and in use.