The Tenement House Evil - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Bruce Larnigan has been elected district attorney. His first move is a hot campaign waged against the tenement house evil. Supposed owners are warned, and they, in turn, pass the warning along to the "man higher up." Anton Dow is the head ...See moreBruce Larnigan has been elected district attorney. His first move is a hot campaign waged against the tenement house evil. Supposed owners are warned, and they, in turn, pass the warning along to the "man higher up." Anton Dow is the head of a corporation handling the tenement property in the slums also the cheap section of the "red light" district. This property pays them enormous dividends, as they spend no money on it in needed repairs and reforms. Dow calls a meeting of the Trust Syndicate and it is decided that Dow will either bribe Bruce or kill him. Dow knows it is useless to attempt to bribe Bruce and therefore plans to trap Bruce into an embarrassing intrigue. To this end he hires a woman of the underworld to tell Bruce of the evils existing in a certain house in lower New York, pointing out to him that he can only get the true facts by going there as a regular customer. Dow then plans to have the house raided and Bruce arrested. Bruce makes several trips to the slums, investigating conditions at first-hand and relieving, where possible, the misery he finds about him. Dorothy Maxwell accompanies him on some of these trips and becomes much interested in the work; so much so that she organizes a Sunday school class in one section, renting a large storeroom at the top of a tenement for her school room. She has promised the children a real Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Mrs. Dow's two children beg their mother to let them accompany Dorothy to the tree on Christmas Eve and they are given their parents' consent. Bruce sends an ultimatum to the owners of tenement house property, which reaches Dow, to the effect that if fire escapes are not put on all buildings within thirty days, he will have the owners in jail. Dow realizes that the time for action is at hand, so starts his plan for Bruce's downfall. Bruce leaves his preparation for the morrow (it is Christmas Eve) and goes with the woman. But, suspecting the trap, he has the commissioner of police follow him, the presence of the commissioner of police stops the officers from making an arrest. Dow steps forward, and insists on Bruce being taken to jail. This move is a bad one for Dow; Bruce sees in a flash that he is the man to go after. He denounces Dow and glories in the fact that the trap laid for him has resulted in his finding another member of the '"Trust." Dow laughs, believing that his statements will not carry weight in the face of his present predicament. In the midst of the argument the fire department arrives across the street. Bruce sees the blaze, and realizing the danger to the inmates, turns to Dow and shouts: "Man, there are scores of children in that building, one of your rotten tenements, without fire escapes, they were enjoying their first Christmas tree and your own children are there with them." Dow is beside himself with fright and grief. All rush to the rescue. Bruce saves the Dow children; Dorothy escapes carrying two little tots; a number of children are saved by jumping into life nets. The terrible experience makes a deep impression on Dow and he sets out to make all necessary changes for the safety and comfort of the tenants. His reform is complete. He promises Bruce that on the morrow at 9 A.M. he will join him in his fight on the trust. Stone, the head of the "Graft" Syndicate, overhears this and preparations are made to prevent the exposure, even at the sacrifice of one of their number. An infernal machine is placed in the clock at Bruce's office, attached to the works, so that it will explode at 9:00. Dow arrives for his confession and becomes a victim of his own system. Bruce has yielded to the wishes of his mother to run home and have Christmas breakfast with her, and so escapes. The "trust" meets with two members from their accustomed places. They settle down in earnest to plan for the removal of Bruce from their path as the episode ends. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less