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 JUNE 15, 1918
There will be clear fair skies over the city today with very pleasant temperatures. The high will be near 77° with the low about 59° tonight. City Councils adjourned today for summer break. The members will be away for 3 months returning in the last week of September. When Councils return they will take up the creation of a universal water-meter system for the city as well as a 6¢ trolley fare.
Over 12,000 slackers have been arrested in this city since the beginning of the year according to Frank Garbarino an agent of the Department of Justice. Agent Garbarino said that 25 agents are at work here to root out the miscreants and bring them before authorities for disposition of their cases. Some of them have been put to work at the Frankford Arsenal while others are jailed. Many of the men are alien enemy residents who believed they were not required to register for military service.
There is outrage over a strike today by machinists at the Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company in Nicetown. The strike is holding up artillery pieces ready for shipment to our boys in battle. H.D. Booth, plant superintendent, explained the strike was over the company’s refusal to meet with a committee of workers demanding an additional $1.50 per hour to instruct women in the operation of machinery formerly operated by men. Mr. Booth declared the strike “very unpatriotic”. A union representative countered that the strike was for a minimum wage of 72¢ per hour instead of the present 62¢ plus time and a half for overtime and a bonus for instructing the women.
On the sports scene, in baseball yesterday Gavvy Cravath knocked his 100th home run in the 10th inning to beat St. Louis 2 to 1 in the first game of a doubleheader. Only 4 other players have knocked 100 home runs in professional baseball since 1884 and none have done it as quickly in their careers as Gavvy who accomplished the feat in just 9 years. Unfortunately the Phillies lost the second game 6 to 3. Today the Pittsburgh Pirates are here to start a 3 game series with the Phillies. This is the Pirates first visit to National League Park this year. The Athletics are out in Cleveland for a 4 games series. They lost the first game yesterday 4 to 2.
Gavvy Cravath
William Tilden II of Germantown, one of the country’s premier tennis players and a member of the Cynwyd Club of this city has joined the army. Mr. Tilden left last night for Pittsburgh where he will become a member of the Signal Corps. Before leaving Tilden played in yesterday’s tournament at the Merion Cricket Club where he won the titles in both the singles and doubles competition. Now “Big Bill” is off to do his bit for Uncle Sam.
William Tilden II
The Army casualty list today contains 81 names including 8 killed in action, 10 deaths from wounds, 6 deaths from disease, 1 death from accident, 52 men severely wounded and 4 slightly wounded. Two Philadelphia men are on the list. They are Sergeant George Francis Dickerson, 255 East Indiana Avenue, who has died of disease and Private John J. Malone 1503 South Hollywood Street who was severely wounded. The Marine list contains 63 names including 8 killed in action and 55 severely wounded. Included on the list is Private Edward Elvin Cabell, 1536 South Lindenwood Street, who was severely wounded.
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