The Depression takes its toll on James's finances, but he sees a possible solution to his woes in his son Jimmy's decision to marry the daughter of a Scottish lord, as well as his own approach toward his estranged father-in-law.

When a worker is injured at the plant, the accident proves to be a catalyst for the release of pent-up resentment and anger. To get the 3,000 workers back on the job, a communist union is invited to "clean up".