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 – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1917

The Weather Bureau forecasts partly cloudy skies for today with cooler temperatures. The high will reach 46° with a low overnight of 35°. Dr. Russell Conwell, president of Temple University, announced today that over 500 Temple men have entered the service.

The Philadelphia Pediatric Society has opened its campaign to save the lives of Philadelphia’s babies. Last year 5,200 infants died in this city of various causes and the Society believes at least 2,500 of those could have been saved. The Society will attempt to educate parents and especially mothers in methods to prevent infant mortality. This will include instruction in proper nutrition, cleanliness and the effect of industrial occupations engaged in by women on their babies.

In national news, President Wilson today issued a Proclamation barring all enemy aliens from the District of Columbia and the Panama Canal Zone. Enemy aliens must also apply for registration cards attesting to their right to be in this country. If an enemy alien is found without a card after a date set by the Attorney General they will be arrested. They are also prohibited from being within 100 yards of any canal, wharf, pier or drydock of vessels engaged in foreign or domestic trade.  Additionally they are prohibited from flying in any airplane, airship, balloon or other flying device. Finally no enemy alien may move his residence or change his occupation without first reporting to designated authorities and receiving permission.

In international news, Auguste Rodin (shown below), France’s greatest sculptor died on Saturday. Mr. Rodin was 77 years old and had been ill for a brief time with congestion of the lungs. Rodin had struggled for 50 years before gaining acceptance as a great artist. In his later years he continued to work and teach at the pavilion in the Hotel Biron in Paris which was built for him by the French government.

Auguste Rodin

WAR NEWS

On the southern front in Italy, Quero, Monte Cornella and Monte Tomba on the Piave River front have been taken by the Germans. Along with British and French troops rushing to aid Italy’s army, the United States is considering sending troops. However, that would first require a declaration of war against Austria-Hungry. In the Middle East, British troops have taken Jaffa as the Turks continue to retreat. Australian and New Zealand troops now occupy the city. Jaffa is only 54 miles from Jerusalem by railroad. And in London today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Bonar Law informed the House of Commons that the Bolsheviks are in control of Russia. Trotsky and Lenine are organizing a government in Petrograd and in Moscow the battle at the Kremlin has ended with the Bolsheviks victorious.

GET YOUR COPY BY CLICKING HERE:  PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS