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. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back each day for new editions.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1915
The forecast for today calls for fair and bright skies with continued cool temperatures. The high today will only reach 65° with the low tonight about 47°.
A terrible accident occurred this morning at the Phoenixville tunnel when a speeding Philadelphia & Reading passenger train plowed into a group of 50 workmen killing at least 10. The accident occurred at 1:15am. The workmen had just gotten off a section train and were walking in the tunnel to begin work. Smoke from the train they left obscured their vision and they did not realize how close the passenger express train was. When they did hear the oncoming train they panicked and ran but it was too late. All of the dead and most of the workmen are foreigners. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and more deaths are expected. No passengers were injured.
Superintendent of Police Robinson released his annual report today declaring that our city is one of the cleanest in the country and virtually free of vice. Credit is given to special investigators of the vice squad for cleaning up and closing down “resorts” of all kinds and that 1,054 convictions out of 1,296 cases brought on vice charges have resulted in convictions.
In national news, The Austro-Hungarian Empire has bowed to American pressure and recalled its Ambassador, Konstantin Dumba (shown below). Ambassador Dumba must leave the country by October 5th. It will be recalled that the Ambassador was declared persona non grata on September 10th after letters written by him to Austria’s Foreign Minister were released where he suggested that Austrian and German nationals living in America and working in the munitions industry be encouraged to engage in strikes and commit acts of sabotage to cripple America’s industry and stop the supply of military material going to the Allies.
In baseball, the Phillies were up in Brooklyn today for a makeup game and beat the Dodgers 6 to 4. The win eliminates the Dodgers from contention for the pennant. The Phillies have 7 games left and their only competition for the National League flag are the Boston Braves.
WAR NEWS
In London England the largest roundup of alien enemy subjects is taking place. Beginning at dawn police began taking into custody German, Austrian and Turkish men of military age and transporting them to internment camps. On the western front, the French have launched assaults in the Artois and Champagne regions. Also there are reports that the German army offensive under the Crown Prince has been halted in the Argonne. In the east, the Germans have renewed their offensive east of Vilna and have met with success. Reportedly over 21,000 Russian prisoners have been taken. Also, with the Baltic winter beginning the Kaiser has ordered Field Marshal von Hindenburg to take the city of Dvinsk within 1 week.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR STOP IN AT YOUR NEAREST BARNES & NOBLE OR OTHER BOOK STORES.