Ambitious young truck driver Sam Starr is in love with Molly Betts, who shares with her father a resentment against John Scott Ryder,the town's Mayor. In WW I, Ryder took credit for an act of heroism performed by "Pop" Betts and all of Ryder's success since then has been the direct result of the hero-worship of the town's citizens---adulation which should have been extended to Betts. Shortly before his marriage to Molly, Sam takes Molly for a ride in his truck, the truck is sideswiped by another truck, and Sam's truck and its contents are demolished. Molly "imagines" the other truck carried the insignia of Ryder who operates a rival trucking line. Sam demands restitution from Ryder who, at first refuses, until Molly, unknown to Sam, tells Ryder she has uncovered evidence that proves Ryder was really a coward in the war, and not the hero he is thought to be. Ryder then buys Sam a new truck. A crooked politician,Al McGongile, also learns of this information and decides to shake-down ...