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 – SATURDAY AUGUST 24, 1918

There will be partly cloudy skies today with the slight possibility of rain overnight. Today’s high will reach 88° with the low of 68° this evening. In medical news, Philadelphia now shares with New York City the honor of having the highest percentage of physicians in the Medical Reserve Corps. Over 25% of Philadelphia’s 3000 registered doctors are now serving Uncle Sam.

The Bureau of Health released its weekly mortality report today showing 398 deaths this week. That is a 34% drop from last week’s 616 deaths. It is also 55 deaths less than the total reported for this week in 1917. The drop from last week is mostly credited to the break in the heat wave. The leading cause of death was Tuberculosis which claimed 56 lives. Diarrhea and enteritis were the second largest causes claiming 47 people. The fewest deaths were caused by typhoid fever, influenza and homicide which claimed one life each.

Hog Island Shipyard launched its second ship today. The occasion was not as grand as the launching of the S.S. Quistconck which included the President and Mrs. Wilson doing the honors. But the workers and their families lined the shipway to watch the S.S. Saccarappa slide down into the waters of the Delaware. Saccarappa is an Indian word meaning “falling toward the rising sun”. The S.S. Saccarappa is 7500 tons deadweight and a twin of the S.S. Quistconck.

The Drexel Institute will begin instructing women in war work. Dr. Hollis Godfrey, president of the institute, announced today that training courses will begin on October 7 in statistics, government and commercial organization, English, mathematics and stenography. Upon the completion of the course graduates will go directly into government employment. No civil service test will be required because the course will be given in co-operation with the civil service commission. Only 100 students will be accepted in each course. Drexel was also honored today by being accepted into the Student Army Training Corps along with St. Joseph’s College. Both schools will now being preparations for enrollment of their men into the programs.

Dr. Hollis Godfrey

In baseball both of our teams played doubleheaders today. The Phillies are visiting the Pirates at Forbes Field. Pittsburgh took the opener 4 to 3 holding off Gavvy Cravath who knocked in two runs on a double and added a triple to the effort. In the second game Moran’s boys came alive with doubles by Bancroft and Cravath, a triple by Harry Pearce and singles by Luderus, Adams and Hogg at just the right moment to win the contest 7 to 4.

The Athletics are hosting the White Sox at Shibe Park and looked downright pitiful in the first game. Mr. Mack’s gang did manage 7 hits but the 4 errors spelled their downfall losing 9 to 4. In the second game the A’s somehow pulled off a 2 to 1 win despite 3 more fielding errors. Two of which were committed by pitcher Scott Perry who nevertheless got the win.

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