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, MAY 22, 1917
There will be rain throughout the day and this evening probably continuing into tomorrow. The high temperature will be around 62° with the low near 50°. The Liberty Bond drive is in full swing nationally and here in Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s businesses large and small and our regions rich and not so rich are all doing their part to help Uncle Sam win the war. Large employers like Baldwin Locomotive, Cramps Shipbuilding, Midvale Steel and other are making it easy for their employees to purchase a bond by offering payroll deductions on a monthly basis. For example a $50.00 bond can be bought for just $1.00 to start. Then a payment of $9.00 will be due on June 28, $10.00 by July 30, $15.00 by August 15 and $15.00 by August 30. And each bond pays 3½ % interest.
The owners of Philadelphia’s piggeries have petitioned Director Wilmer Krusen of the Bureau of Public Health and Charities to halt the raids on their pigsties. The owners claim that pigs fed on garbage are healthy, cheap to maintain and in the present food emergency will help feed the country. Director Krusen has rejected their request. He stated that neither Philadelphia nor the Federal Government would countenance the possible effects of uncleanliness and disease resulting from the public consumption of garbage fed pigs. The owners are requesting public support for their position.
In national news, Republicans in the House of Representatives have unanimously agreed to oppose all censorship provisions demanded by the President and Democrats in the espionage bill presently before the Congress. Republicans assert that the censorship provisions violate the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press and speech.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, the triple offensive of the British, French and Italians armies continues with success. The British have reportedly gained 10 miles from the Germans on the northern end of the Hindenburg line from Arras to Bullecourt. The French in the Champagne region have beaten back German counter attacks and are moving to Laon on the southern end of the Hindenburg line. And the Italians are overcoming enormous obstacles in the Julian Alps where the Austro-Hungarian army is using heavy artillery to slow their progress northeast of Gorizia.
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