Public Be Damned (1917)

A prologue shows United States Food Administrator Herbert Hoover in his office and gives excerpts from Mr. Hoover's speeches. The story begins in the country as young farmer Robert Merritt is unable to make a profit because of the low prices offered by the food trust. At the suggestion of his wife Marion, he organizes a society of farmers to fight the trust, but finally sells out to the trust's representative, David Higgins. Disgusted, Marion leaves him and journeys to the city where she undertakes a fight against John Black, the head of the trust and an old suitor. Marion is successful in introducing a bill in the state senate that would make all food distribution centers state controlled, but political boss Bill Garvin inserts a clause that would defeat the bill. Black, experiencing a change of heart, joins forces with Robert to prevent a vote on the false bill, substituting the original one in its stead. Her duty done, Marion is reconciled with Robert.