Industrialist Peter Fanning, who amassed his wealth during the World War, continues to expand his fortune through exploitation of his factory employees. When labor troubles finally result in a strike, John McPherson, who believes that both sides are wrong, is caught in the middle; and he endeavors to persuade the capitalists and the laborers to reduce their demands. The strike prevents Fanning from meeting contract deadlines, and his competitors take advantage of his financial embarrassment and press him to sell, but the workers finally agree to accept the American Plan and to join with the farmers to purchase and operate the mill on a cooperative basis--leaving McPherson free to pursue romance with Mary Fanning.—AFI