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 JULY 2, 1918

There will be clear, fair skies over the city today. The high temperature will be a pleasant 76° with a low tonight of 61°. The Philadelphia Zoo has welcomed a new addition. A baby Hippopotamus arrived today. This is the first ever Hippo birth at the Zoo. The little one measured 4 feet 15 inches long and weighted in at 75lbs. Mother and baby are doing fine.

The Federal Government is forcing the closure of 25 saloons in Frankford. The government has decreed a “dry zone” encompassing ½ square mile around the Frankford Arsenal and the saloons are all located within that zone. The Schuylkill Arsenal is not included in the order. There are 5000 civilians now employed at the Frankford Arsenal and 500 soldiers stationed there.

Rallies, picnics, community sings and sporting events are planned at every shipyard along the Delaware River on July 4th. At two of the yards the attendees will also be witness to the launching of ships, part of a mighty fleet to transport men, war material, clothing, food and medical supplies across the Atlantic for our men and our allies. William Cramp & Sons Shipyard intends to launch two destroyer class vessels, the USS Elliot and the USS Upshur while New York Shipbuilding in Camden will launch the cargo carrier USS Scanlon. At shipyards around America 95 ships are scheduled to be launched on July 4th.

Down in Washington, D.C. Representative Thomas Sisson of Mississippi has proposed a $5.00 tax on all deadly weapons. Mr. Sisson, a democrat, explained the measure was not intended to raise revenue for the Government but to check the spread of crime throughout the country. The tax would be laid upon revolvers, dirks, Bowie knives, sword canes, stilettos and brass knuckles.

WAR NEWS

Six Philadelphians appear on General Pershing’s casualty list today. Listed as killed in action are Richard Charles Naegle of 5205 North Mascher Street and Sergeant Edward H. Foley of 415 North 62nd Street. Listed as severely wounded are Samuel W. Atzer of 1315 South 6th Street and James J. Kennedy of West Philadelphia. Joseph McGinn of 2527 Cantrell Street and Benjamin J. Spang, U.S.M.C. of 714 Shirley Street are listed as missing (Shown below are Richard Naegle, Joseph McGinn and Samuel Atzer).

In France, American troops advanced along a 2 mile front west of Chateau-Thierry yesterday taking about ½ mile in territory. Our men captured the village of Vaux, La Roche Wood and have entered Clerembaut Wood.

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