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 – WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 1918
The Weather Bureau is calling for rain throughout the day with the total reaching over an inch. The high will reach 81° with a low tonight of 65°. The results of yesterday’s primary election gave the Republican nomination for governor to State Senator William C. Sproul of Chester. Municipal Judge Eugene Bonniwell received the nomination of the Democratic Party.
William C. Sproul
Plans are being developed for the construction of a circle on the Parkway at Logan Square. The idea is to obviate sharp corner turns on 18th and 19th Streets. When completed, the circle will encompass the area from 18th to 20th Streets and Vine to Race Streets. It is expected construction will be completed sometime this summer.
Pusey & Jones Shipyard of Wilmington, Delaware intend to expand its facility over in Gloucester, N.J. The shipyard there is presently called the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Company but along with the expansion of the yard the name will also be changed to Pusey & Jones. Once the new yard is completed the company intends to turn out a ship every 10 days from its combined plants. The company also plans on expanding its workforce at Gloucester to at least 10,000 men.
In national news, President Wilson today signed the “Sedition Act”. The measure is the most drastic law ever enacted to catch and punish enemy propagandists and those committing overt disloyal acts. The penalty is 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for anyone who writes, prints or utters anything which obstructs recruiting for the armed forces, inhibits liberty loan campaigns, favors the cause of Germany or its allies or vilifies the government or government officials and/or incites resistance to them by word or deed.
WAR NEWS
The British naval blockade of the German bases at Zeebrugge and Ostend has produced an unexpected effect. Reports are that the German navy is preparing to abandon its U-boat bases there. On the western front in Flanders, British infantry forces carried out successful raids in various sectors. Meanwhile German artillery was active south of Albért and in the Nieppe Forrest. Further south around Toul, American forces engaged German infantry raids and drove them back without taking a single casualty. Today’s casualty list contains 48 names. Three were killed in action, two died of disease and two more from wounds. Thirty-eight are listed as seriously wounded and three as slightly wounded. None of the men listed are from this area.
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