The Mayor's Crusade (1912)
Abraham Fendrick is elected mayor of a western town by the reform party. When he is inducted to office, the opposition newspapers continue to discredit his ability to institute reform measures and ask why he does not begin an investigation of Dale's sweatshop. The mayor, an honest man, is ready and willing to receive information from any legitimate source. Having had no previous knowledge of Dale's sweatshop, he decides to personally investigate. Disguising himself as a laborer he makes application of Dale and is set to work. Mary Matthews, a young girl employed in Dale's sweatshop, becomes ill from long hours and overwork and swoons at her sewing machine. She is revived and one of the girls is instructed to take her home. Just as they leave the factory an automobile passes, driven by the mayor's son Royal. Noticing Mary's helpless condition, Royal stops the machine and insists on driving her home. Several days later Mary returns to work. Dale shows his true character and is brought roundly to book by the supposed workman, who is promptly discharged. Mayor Fendrick, returning to his office, has a warrant issued and sends out officers to arrest Dale. Brought to the mayor's office, the sweatshop proprietor is confronted by the supposed workman, who removes his disguise. The following document is presented to Dale to sign: "I, Ralph Dale, hereby promise to remove my establishment to comfortable, light and well ventilated quarters and to regulate the working hours and the wages paid to my employees so as to establish a fair compensation for the work received. These changes to take place within two weeks from date." Dale at first demurs, but is advised he must either sign or go to jail. It is needless to say the sweatshop proprietor compiles. Royal is captivated by Mary's pleasing personality, and with his father's consent becomes her favored suitor. With the signing of the agreement by Dale better conditions prevail at the sweatshop and the reform mayor fulfills his mission.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| George Melford | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Carlyle Blackwell | |
| Francelia Billington | |
| William H. West | |
| Jane Wolfe |
