After having lost his job in a sweat shop, a poor workman, living from hand to mouth with a family to support, is nearly driven to distraction by his inability to secure employment. The workman meets a Mr. Goodfellow. He, being rich and ...See moreAfter having lost his job in a sweat shop, a poor workman, living from hand to mouth with a family to support, is nearly driven to distraction by his inability to secure employment. The workman meets a Mr. Goodfellow. He, being rich and philanthropically inclined, has his sympathies aroused by the workman's pitiful story of distress. He goes to the manufacturer, where he is informed that the former operators of the idle machines in the shop were discharged because of the fact that he was making more goods than he could sell. Mr. Goodfellow suggests that if the employees work slower and fewer hours it would afford work for the unemployed, but this ingenious suggestion is not received with enthusiasm. Mr. Goodfellow next visits the retailer to ascertain why he does not replenish his stock more frequently and is informed that trade is poor and it is not feasible to buy more goods than can be sold to his customers. Mr. Goodfellow then goes home more perplexed than ever, realizing that the question has resolved itself into a triangle which almost baffles him. He finally argues thus: Supply the workman with a little money and he will patronize the retailer, who in time will replenish his stock and thus compel the manufacturer to employ more workmen to enable him to meet the demand. The following day he puts his idea into practical use by distributing money among the idle workmen. Played mostly in comedy vein the film is a distinct novelty. Written by
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