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 – THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1916
A bright clear day is in store for Philadelphians on this 1st day of June. But clouds will move in overnight. The high will be near 75° with the low this evening around 48°. Today Mr. Edward Bok, editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal, endorsed Theodore Roosevelt for the Republican Presidential nomination.
Commencement exercises took place this morning at Bryn Mawr College (shown below). Eighty one women received diplomas. But the usually tranquil and bucolic setting was stirred by the address of the school’s president Miss M. Cary Thomas. Miss Thomas spoke against her critics calling them closet skeletons stalking the campus while clanking their chains. At the conclusion of her speech the assembled heartily applauded even though many alumnae and guests were surprised by the tenor of her speech.
In other education news, Miss Alice Hibberd is a teacher in the Philadelphia public schools but lives in West Chester on West Miner Street. She is well liked by students and known for being something of an athlete. While traveling home last night she was accosted by a young man on the train. She ignored the incident but after disembarking he began following her home. At one point he made an insulting comment and grabbed her arm. Miss Hibberd turned and with two swift punches to his face knocked him out and into the gutter. The young lady then proceeded home. She is being congratulated today by friends, colleagues and the police.
Mr. Richard Austin, an agent of the Federal Reserve here, today released a report declaring that wage increases have resulted in employees working less. The report was compiled after studying the labor situation in this city. Mr. Austin found that both skilled and unskilled workers become less productive and work less hours as their wages are increased. This is causing lower production especially in industrial plants. And that could lead to serious economic problems for the city and the country.
On the sports beat, in baseball yesterday the A’s dropped both games of a doubleheader to the Yankees 8 to 7 and 9 to 5. In the first game Jack Nabors started for Mr. Mack but was pulled after 3 innings. With the A’s leading 6 to 3, Bullet Joe Bush pitching in relief gave up 5 runs in the bottom of 8th sealing the win for New York. In the second game Weldon Wyckoff went the distance for the A’s but gave up 5 runs in the first 4 innings which proved too much of an obstacle for the Mackmen to overcome. Here at National League Park, Chief Bender gave it a mighty try but the Phillies fell short 4 to 2. The big Indian pitched 8 strong innings and even helped with the offense by smacking a triple and being hit by a pitch.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.