On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back each day for new editions.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1915
The city will have cloudy, overcast skies today with the possibility of rain tonight. The high will again reach 90° with the low about 66°. Thirteen deaths are now known to have been caused by the heat.
Director of Public Safety George D. Porter released the platform he will base his campaign for Mayor upon. The chief plank is a pledge of opposition to the political bossism and cronyism in city government. Mr. Porter said that the toleration of this iniquity has been a milestone around the neck of the people of this city. Also, he will propose more playgrounds for the city’s children and that street cleaning be done by city employees not private contractors. He also believes that only American workers should be hired for municipal work. Director Porter is running as an Independent.
A crowd of almost 600 Negroes demonstrated outside of the Forrest Theatre last evening. The protest was against the showing of “The Birth Of A Nation”. The Negroes had planned on entering the Theatre and protesting during the showing but all the .25¢ tickets were sold out ahead of time. The Negroes claim the film is a libel against their race. Police were called to disburse the crowd and all but two men left peaceably. The two were arrested but later released.
Out at Redland Park in Cincinnati the Phillies opened their series with the Reds today. Pat Moran sent Pete Alexander to the mound and he did not disappoint. Although not his best appearance he had enough to hold the Red to 3 runs. The Phillies scored 10 and were led once again by Fred Luderus who smacked 2 doubles and a triple. The Athletics on the other hand are being rebuilt. Connie Mack is completely reconstructing his team. Today they played the Salisbury, Maryland local boys and still lost 6 to 2.
WAR NEWS
In the western theatre, the Government of France has called to the colors youths of 18 years of age and told men of up to 47 years old should hold themselves ready to serve. It is estimated that the 18 year olds will add 250,000 soldiers to the army. In London it was announced today in the House of Commons that the number of killed and wounded in the fighting in the Dardanelles now totals 79,238.
On the eastern front, the Russians are claiming to have thrown back the Austro-German army 50 miles in Southern Poland, Galicia and Volynia. Further north fierce fighting is occurring over the Vilna-Dvinsk Railway. It is believed if this railway falls the Germans will have an open path to Riga in Latvia. Finally, the city of Pinsk, 100 miles east of Brest Litovsk, has fallen to the Germans.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR STOP IN AT YOUR NEAREST BARNES & NOBLE OR OTHER BOOK STORES.