- Mrs. Emery, a rich and selfish woman, has been left by her husband's death with a cloak and suit factory, which she leaves in charge of its manager, a conscientious and kind-hearted man, who acts as the buffer between her and the factory. He vainly pleads with her to make the factory safer for its employees in the matter of ventilation and fire escapes, but she refuses to consider anything in the way of money expenditure, caring only for the income she receives from it. Herzog, one of the workers, faints because of the poor ventilation and Davis, knowing the cause and sympathizing with the delicate man, can do nothing to remove the odious conditions. One morning Davis receives a tip from a friend to the effect that the health inspectors are about to visit the plant. Knowing the inevitable result of their visit he calls upon Mrs. Emery to plead with her to improve conditions. On reaching the house he is informed that she is dining with some friends and cannot see him. On her refusal he writes her a note telling the reason for his call and the butler brings back an answer to the effect that she washes her hands of the matter and that she leaves it to him to "fix" the inspectors. Davis, angry at her indifference, tries to force his way in to see her in person, but is prevented by the servants acting under instructions. The next day the dreaded visit takes place. The inspectors find the exits to the stairway locked, the fire-escape hard to reach, narrow and shaky. Davis however, bribes them to put in a favorable report. Shortly afterward a careless worker breaking the rules smokes a cigarette. The burning stub falls into some waste and in a moment the place is on fire. The rotten hose bursts when they attempt to use it and in the panic and flames many are killed and injured. Herzog escapes seriously injured and being out of employment lacks money for necessities and the rent, which the Emery estate demands. His wife calls upon Mrs. Emery to plead with her, but the hard-hearted woman refuses to do anything for her. An opportunity is presented to steal a brooch from the dresser and driven by desperation Mrs. Herzog takes it. With the proceeds of its sale she feeds her husband. The theft is discovered and traced to her. She is arrested and brought to trial, but Davis, seeing the glaring injustice, rises from a sick bed, tells the whole story, sees Mrs. Herzog acquitted with a small fine and Mrs. Emery get the punishment she deserves.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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