Aftermath of the sinking of the SS Sand Merchant in Lake Erie on October 18, 1936. Men examine life boats and an oar from the SS Sand Merchant. A survivor of the SS Sand Merchant is tended by a nurse in Cleveland, Ohio.
Former U.S. President Herbert Hoover delivers an enthusiastic speech to the Republican National Convention, during the Great Depression. Speaking out against Democratic Party New Deal programs under President Roosevelt, former President Hoover says "For the first time in the history of America, we have heard the gospel of class hatred preached from the White House." He goes on to speak against high government spending and the increase in the U.S. national debt. He states that the number unemployed is the same as at the time of the 1932 election. He wonders "what is going to be done after the election with these measures which the Constitution forbids, and the people by their votes have never authorized? What do the New Dealers propose to do with these unstable currencies, these unbalanced budgets, these debts and these taxes?" He goes on to say "our system is a government of laws and not of men. And the Republican party holds to its promises and its laws." Huge applause in the public auditorium. The NBC, MBS, CBS networks broadcast his speech.
Drunk detector spots fuzziness after three drinks. Municipal Police tests a drunk detector in Cleveland. Men take alcoholic beverages for the test. The machine is tested. It supplies scientific evidence against motorists accused of drunken driving. The Rotating discs of the detector confuse the eyes of the drunk people but fail to affect sober suspects.
A film on U.S. electric power resources. Aerial view of buildings in Cleveland, Ohio. Aerial view of Nela Park and buildings of the GE Lighting Institute. Trees and buildings in the park.. Aerial view of the General Electric buildings.