A film depicts an impressionistic study of Washington DC on a typical Great Depression day. Clark Mills's Lieutenant General George Washginton equestrian statue at Washington Circle. A cemetery and men work at the cemetery. They use a machine to help lift old grave markers up out of the ground. The grave markers appear to be circa civil war era. A marker with number 7566 on top is lifted out of the cemetery grounds. Elevated view of Pennsylvania Avenue, Old Post Office Building seen on right, and traffic on the street. Close up elevated view of 1930's automobiles stopped a stop light. Several views of 1935 year license plates or number plates of cars from various states including California, Georgia, New York, Wisconsin, and Ohio . A horse eats food from a bucket. A woman seated on a footpath drinks and enjoys lunch. A family seated around a table during a lunch break. People at the National Zoo. They look at animals and stand behind a cage. A young girl plays with leopard cubs. Picnickers seated in a garden, with cars on roadway behind, possibly Rock Creek Park area. A close up of a young girl eating. Children swinging on a swing set.
Pursuant to the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signs the Philippine Constitution presented to him by Philippine President Manuel Quezon, in Washington DC. View of the signed Philippine Constitution cover document. President Roosevelt signs one copy and hands it to one of the officials present. Then he signs another for President Manuel Quezon, who stands, shakes hands and thanks President Roosevelt, and then sits again. Audio of casual discussion during the signing ceremony is heard. President Roosevelt reads provisions of the act. President Manuel Quezon gives a brief speech to thank the United States.
Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Hiroshi Saito, views the Japanese Sakura cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. He is seen with his wife and children. Ambassador Saito and his family pose under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom during springtime. The cherry blossom trees in Washington DC are donated by Japan to the United States of America. Ambassador Saito meets with United States dignitaries at the Tidal Basin.
General John Joseph Pershing presents The National Geographic Society's Hubbard Gold Medal to Captain Stevens and Captain Anderson. All men pose for a photograph.
John Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) records for a broadcast in Washington DC. He introduces and talks about the functions of the FBI. He describes: FBI warfare against crime and criminals; advances made, dealing with the underworld, bank robberies, extortion and other Federal offenses. He talks bout the three law enforcement needs: lack of politics, efficiency, and cooperation between law enforcement agencies. He urges the people to approach the FBI as the Bureau's goal is to sere and protect the citizens.
National Archives building at Constitution Avenue in Washington DC, United States. Human figures engraved on the building. Building of the Department of Labor with American flag hoisted on it is seen. Building has a number of lamps hanging on to the wall. Cars pass by the Department of Justice building. The building has a flowing fountain in the center.