Santa Rosa, Cal: Luther Burbank presents Frank Leach, representing the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, with the bulb of the largest dahlia ever produced. New Orleans, La: This city boasts of the first submarine ever built. San Francisco, Cal: Twenty-one students go to France to operate the Stanford Ambulance Corps. New Orleans, La: Society women shine shoes at $1.00 per shine, money to go to the Red Cross. San Francisco, Cal: The U.S. torpedo boat Hopkins guards interned German vessels. New Orleans, La: The Country Club becomes the demonstrating school for women interested in Red Cross first aid work. El Paso, Texas: Fire sweeps through a section of this city, destroying over thirty carloads of supplies. Houston, Texas: Owing to the shortage of print paper, children of the public schools inaugurate a waste paper saving campaign. El Paso, Texas: Colorado artillery boys in bivouac find solace for their inability to shoot Mexicans by shooting dice. Palm Beach, Fla: "Red bug" racing becomes the fad of well-known society women of New York and Philadelphia. Governor's Island, N.Y: Zero weather does not deter these wealthy young businessmen from receiving military training at Governor's Island every Saturday and holiday. New York, N.Y: The S.S. Frederick VIII, sailing under the Allies' guarantee of safe conduct, leaves for Europe bearing Count von Bernstorff and his party. New York, N.Y: After reaching the very edge of the German submarine area, the S.S. Ryndam is recalled from her eastward voyage and reaches the port safely.
—Moving Picture World synopsis