A film concerning railroad electrification in the United States. A westbound Boston and Maine Railroad steam train at East Portal, Hoosac Tunnel, where the railroad was electrified in 1911. An electric locomotive approaches the steam engine. ( Note the carbide headlamp on the electric locomotive--which were outlawed by the ICC circa 1918. ) The motor pulls the steam engine and its train West. Next: a 'cab ride' from North Adams, Massachusetts to West Portal and subsequently exits the East Portal of the 4.75 mile long Hoosac Tunnel.
A documentary titled 'Building for Service' in the United States. In 1878 there were fewer telephones in the United States as compared to later years. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, in his forecast to the Electric Telephone Company writes that telephone cables could be laid underground or suspended overhead connecting with wires to buildings of any kind. A man could speak to another man at a distant place by this means. A graph showing the growth of the Bell System in the number of telephones, from 2 million in 1876 to 16 million in 1926. Thousands of people have worked in streets and on mountains in laying telephone facility, to bring the inventor's forecast to reality. A graph showing physical property of the Bell System from year 1911 through 1925.
An opening remark written by J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. A Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolver with United States police badges. Various revolvers and hand guns on display. An M1911 pistol with an elaborately designed holster belt. A police officer holding a revolver arrests two criminals. The two criminals turn their backs with their hands up and facing a wall. The policeman points with his Colt Official Police Positive revolver.
President Franklin D.Roosevelt (FDR) sitting at a desk, reading congratulatory letters and telegrams from supporters. He is surrounded by grandchildren: Curtis Dall,Jr.; Sara Roosevelt; and Anna Eleanor Dall. Next is a closeup of FDR signing a letter thanking Dan V. Stephens for his telegram. (Stephens was Democratic Congressman from Nebraska's 3rd District, 1911-1919. He died in January, 1939.) Scene changes to the lawn at "Springwood," the Roosevelt family estate in Hyde Park, New York, where President and Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt are sitting in wicker lawn chairs. She is knitting, and FDR is paying attention to the grandchildren, Sara and Curtis, who are riding horses,and granddaughter, Sara, on a pony. He talks with Sara. Closeup of Sara. The President is next seen relaxing with his stamp collection. Finally, he is seen sitting by the fireplace, with his mother, Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt.