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 JULY 18, 1917

There will be partly cloudy skies over the city today with continued warm temperatures. Today’s high will be 83° with the low tonight of 71°. The city has sent its registration list of eligible men for the upcoming draft to Washington. The list contains the names of over 175,000 men between the ages of 21 and 31. The first draft drawing will be on Friday.

Today is a day of fresh air in the outdoors for some people who otherwise spend most of their time indoors or on dirty congested streets. Five hundred poor children are the guests of the Salvation Army. The little ones will be taken to the Army’s Fresh Air Camp in Upland, Pa.  And 300 blind men, women and children are being treated to a day at Willow Grove Park by the Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia. Finally 1000 residents of Kensington left for Atlantic City courtesy of the North Kensington Business Men’s Association. The happy group is made up of members of the Association and their wives and children. They are all headed to Steeplechase Pier which has been gaily decorated for their arrival.

The vice squad, using a list given them by investigators for the Navy Department, arrested 15 women last night in the Tenderloin and South Philadelphia. The women are known to work in disreputable houses. Twenty two additional policemen have been added to the vice squad in the clean-up offensive. Police and marine personnel are also detaining sailors and marines suspected of looking for trouble and turning them over to the proper authorities at the Navy Yard.

WAR NEWS

Plans are underway to transfer the Lafayette Escadrille to the American army. All personnel will be retained except for the French commanding officers. The French mechanics, who are expert in the operation of the aeroplanes, will remain with the unit. The pilots will continue to use the “Spad” biplane. The Escadrille will also keep its mascots which include 2 lions named Whiskey and Soda (shown below), 27 dogs and 1 rabbit.

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