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 often for new updates.
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TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1915
There will be partly cloudy skies over the city today and Sunday with the possibility of rain Sunday afternoon. The high will reach 84° with the low tonight about 68°.
Everyone seems to be heading to the seashore. Today members of the East Germantown Improvement Association and the Germantown Young Men’s Christian Association joined the throngs of other vacationers enjoying time in the sun and on the sandy beach of Atlantic City (shown below).
Of course not everyone is spending their weekend at the beach. The Pennsylvania National Guard is now fully encamped at Mount Gretna. The main talk of the men concerns Governor Burmbaugh’s order banning alcohol in camp. Anyone found with liquor is subject to court martial. This morning several cases of Scotch whisky were delivered to Colebrook, just outside the camp where Philadelphia’s 1st Brigade is located. However, no one has, as yet, claimed the delivery.
The battle within the Republican Party organization has resulted in a deadlock over who will be the nominee for the next Mayor of Philadelphia. The fight is between the faction led by the Vare brothers and that controlled by State Senator James P. McNichol. The animosity between the men stems from McNichol’s backing of a competing candidate against William Vare in his run for Mayor in 1911. That splitting of the Republican ticket allowed Mayor Blankenburg to win the election. U.S. Senator Boies Penrose has called the parties to a meeting in Atlantic City where he is vacationing in the hopes of finding a way to bring the factions together.
The Bureau of Health released the weekly mortality report today showing 403 deaths this week which is 23 more than the previous week. On the communicable disease front, 344 new cases of Measles were reported, 23 cases of Diphtheria, 23 cases of Whooping cough and 11 cases of Scarlet Fever.
In national news, Germany has delivered a further reply in the ongoing correspondence between the United States and the German Empire since the sinking of the Lusitania. Today’s letter was the 5th exchanged between the two countries. The contents of the letter have not yet officially been released. The United States has unequivocally demanded that Germany make reparations for the sinking of the Lusitania and that Germany recognize America’s right to freedom of travel and trade on the high seas.
On the sports beat, in baseball the A’s fell to the Browns 4 to 3out in St. Louis. The Phillies are here at National League Park and took their 2nd straight game from the Pirates 6 to 3. At the Point Breeze Park Motordrome tonight the main event is a 30 mile bicycle race. Motorcycle racing is also scheduled. Tickets start at .25¢.
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