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 8, 1917
There will be cloudy skies over the city today but no rain is expected. The temperatures remain cool with the high only reaching 53° and the low about 42°. The National Association of Hosiery and Underwear Manufactures are meeting here for their 13th annual convention. An exhibition of new items will also be on display for public view. The meetings are taking place at 34th & Spruce at Convention Hall and runs through Friday. Admission is 25¢.
Philadelphia is finalizing its plans for the reception of the French War Commission tomorrow morning. The Commission is led by Field Marshal Joffre and will reach the city at 9:00am. In order to allow all Philadelphians an opportunity to greet the visitors a public holiday has been declared. Schools and public offices will be closed and many businesses have arranged for their employees to leave work to attend the various events.
In business news, an enormous increase in shipbuilding is occurring along the Delaware River. Presently 123 ships are either under contract to be built or under construction equaling $200,000,000.00 in value. Presently 20,000 men are employed at the various yards and that number is expected to increase.
In baseball, the A’s fell to the Yankees again today at Shibe Park, 4 to 2. Bullet Joe Bush took the loss even though he only lasted 2 innings. There was some bad news for the Yankees. Right fielder Frank Gilhooley broke his shoulder and will likely be out for the season. Gilhooley’s injury occurred yesterday when he crashed into the concrete grandstand chasing a fly ball. Up at the Polo Grounds the Phillies dropped another to the Giants, 5 to 1. The usually sure handed Fred Luderus committed 3 errors which helped the Giants cause.
WAR NEWS
Brazil has announced that it will co-operate actively with the United States in the war with Germany. However, Brazil has not officially declared war. On April 11th however it did sever diplomatic relations with Germany as a result of the sinking of Brazilian ships by German submarines.
The War Department has issued orders for the raising of 9 regiments of engineers which are to proceed to France at the earliest possible moment. These troops will be the first American troops to set foot on French soil. The regiments will be recruited from Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Detroit and San Francisco.
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