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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY JUNE 5, 1917
The weather bureau calls for cloudy skies with the chance of rain tonight. The high will be 80° with the low tonight of 58°. At least 100,000 people watched a Liberty Loan parade as it proceeded through the business district today from 5th & Market to Broad Street. The parade of over 2000 marchers included businessmen, bankers, office workers, bands, sailors, marines and Boy Scouts. The parade was led by Mayor Smith and Mr. E.T. Stotesbury. Presently Philadelphia has raised $115,000,000.00.
Today is the deadline for registration for the draft. It is estimated that in Philadelphia 169,000 men between the ages of 21 and 30 are eligible for service. Young men registered today in the usual polling place of their neighborhood. There were no disruptions or arrests for attempting to stop registration. There were some minor delays this morning due to the unfamiliarity of the registrars with some questions to be asked. One question is whether the man is claiming an exemption for service. Most men today have not claimed any exemption. However, almost every Socialist claimed some type of exemption. Apparently all socialists in this city had been advised by their leadership to claim an exemption from serving.
Registrations took place in many places of business so that war work could continue. But some factories, like Ford Motor Company at Broad & Lehigh, closed for the day so its employees could do their duty. Registration agents also visited hospitals to assist male patients unable to leave to sign up. And agents even visited Moyamensing Prison and Eastern State Penitentiary (shown below) to register the inmates eligible for the draft.
WAR NEWS
Off the coast of west Flanders, British warships bombarded the German base at Ostend. While out at sea a British cruiser and destroyers engaged with a German flotilla of 6 ships. One German destroyer was sunk. On the western front, French and German infantry continue in a series of attacks and counter attacks north of Froidmont farm. Last night the French recaptured trench lines they had lost the day before. On the alpine front in the battle of the Isonzo the Italians are continuing their offensive against the Austrians west of Gorizia. There are reports that in the last 20 days the Italians have lost 160,000 men killed or wounded.
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