Mary Peppertree, a switchboard operator in the White House, is being courted by three men; Philip Manning, an attorney; Navy Lieutenant Tom Farrington, naval-aide to the President; and David Paxton, whose father owns an island in the Pacific. When the U.S. Navy negotiates for the purchase of the island for a base, David agrees to sell on two conditions - that Philip be made a judge in a court at least 1500 miles from Washigton, and that Lieutenant Farrington be given sea duty