Original footage and supplemental reenactment of event that took place about a week earlier when the U.S. Navy Zeppelin, USS Akron (ZRS-4) attempted to dock for refueling at Camp Kearny, San Diego, California. In clips from that actual event, spectators watch as a hundred Navy ground crew sailors attempt to hold down the dirigible. But one of the Akron cable rings breaks and the sailors are unable to hold her. All let go of the lines except for three sailors, two of whom fell to their deaths. Scenes are shown of the remaining sailor, Bud Cowart of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, as he hangs on for more than an hour until the USS Akron crew pulls him through a port hole to safety aboard the air ship. Views shot about a week later show officers inside the Akron and Sailor Cowart aboard the airship.
Coal mine war in Taylorville, Illinois. Troops being lined up on a street after a firing at a coal mine. Troops loaded in trucks advance on a road. A woman with two young girls and a boy seated with a woman. Workers outside a coal mine as they enter the mine. Cars on road. Soldiers stop a car and question the driver.
People barter goods in Suffern, New York, turning to old fashioned trade and barter commerce during the Great Depression. People gather to exchange goods. A noticeboard with various papers on it with people offering goods for barter. A paper reads 'wanted: office furniture for 1 toin of coal." Men and women exchange goods. A man trades a live turkey. A woman takes a goat and gives a painting in return to a man. A man looks at an overcoat. A man carries a live duck and a basket under each arm. The duck tries to get away and man catches hold of him. He holds the duck by its neck.
German President Paul Von Hindenburg in Berlin, Germany. Civilians gather to watch a parade. German soldiers being lined up. President Hindenburg reviews the troops. Troops march as Hindenburg and other officers salute. Troops march past the reviewing officers.
President of the Executive Council of Ireland Eamon del Valera in London, England. Eamon del Valera and English cabinet chiefs come out of a building after a meeting. Del Valera shakes hands with cabinet chiefs. He leaves in a car. Car moves down a road as civilians look on.
French President Albert Lebrun's son, Jean Lebrun, marries a tennis player in Rambouillet, France. People gather outside the Rambouillet City Hall (2 Pl. de la Libération, 78120 Rambouillet, France). A man greets a woman. Photographers take pictures of the bride and groom. President Lebrun with his son and the bride. Guards and minister walk out of the Église Saint-Lubin-et-Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church (Pl. Jeanne d'Arc, 78120 Rambouillet, France) after the wedding ceremony. The newlywed couple poses. President Lebrun with his wife, Marguerite Lebrun.