The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-01
AUTO INDUSTRY MAKES DEBUT IN
 OLD BIRMINGHAM
Idea That Originated Over Year Ago Now Realized
 By Preston

suit of a single idea-a single purpose or the efforts of one man; rather they are usually the realization of a dream nodded, forged and tempered by the combined labor of many men and many minds.
 Tomorrow Birmingham has extended to it an invitation to witness the realization of one of these dreams-the kind that have marked each mile stone in the road to success of the greatest men and the greatest enterprises that his- tory records.
 Many people have been wondering for many years just why Birmingham had made no progress in the 'nanu- facture of automotive equipment that is to say automobiles, trucks, tractors and airplanes. They have known of the vast stores of natural resources at the instant command of just such an industry in this To- cality-they have known of the ad vantages offered by Birmingham also in it's location, being in the center of the 'all-year" selling season for these products-th have wondered why freight must be paid on raw material to the refining centers and then paid again on the finished product when sold-they have wondered why auto- motive equipment for export should go through the already crowded eastern ports when some of the best and most convenient ports In the country are located on the Gulf of Mexico-and the hundreds of other reasons why Birmingham is one of the logical automotive manufactur- ing centers of the world and yet re mained out of this end of industrial life--has not only caused them much worry and speculation but has-dntll now-been a rather 'touchous spot.
 year ago last March the first con crete evidence of activity along this ilne of development was eagerly observed py Birmingham and, in fact, the entlfe south, upon the announcement that the Preston Motors Corporation intended building a plant here for the manufac- ture of automobiles, trucks and tractors.
 To recount in detail the many obstacles met with in an undertaking of this mag nitude would be but a reflection upon the intelligence of the public. Praeu- callv everyone has felt the effects of the reaction following the close Of the War the unsettled labor conditions and the heavy demands being made upop- our m dustries for material that those Tn the war-ridden countries of Europe might "carry on''-the rainy season which set tied upon this section during the sprlns' retarding outside construction work
 The first steel work of the factorles or their new main plant and office puliu- ing was raised on November 22, lsls. TO ,,,orrow.x / practically but eight months later, this plant begins productlon or completed automobiles and trucks.
 In view of the fact that every nour work on this plant has been done. not onlv with a view of the demands whlci will he made upon it this year and neNt year. but for years to come, the iorhhs'' omen tomorrow marks definitely ah achievement worthy of the respect or all.
 The fact that when the securities VI inc company were offered to Aiaoa'n, ;nvestors they invested to the extent or nractically a third of million doiiafs las shown clearly that the people Who know the men back of this company place confidence in them. The fact tlias already 1,1S7 bona fide orders "ien o"sn deposits for the new Premocars are on file in the offices of the company is nothing short of a demonstration or con fidence in their ability to produce ears and trucks worthy of the organization back of them.
 Already the Premocar dealer organlza- tion is limited only by the ability Of thls company to produce cars and trucks III sufficient quantities to supply them. l.i'' companys trucks have aireaoy pesh nn .rad in several endurance runs anu trial tests in direct competition with practically every truck on the marhe.. and in not single instance have they failed to return with added honors. =
 Nou, for the first time Birmingham IS being afforded the opportunity Of seens first hand the results of the move maue bv the Preston Motors Corporation Just little more than year ago.