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 – MONDAY JUNE 4, 1917
There will be clear and fair skies over the city today with temperatures reaching 78° during the day and 59° this evening. The Municipal Band will be performing tonight at 12th & Spring Garden Streets beginning at 8:15pm. All concerts are free.
The deadline for all men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for the draft is tomorrow. United States Secret Service agents in this city are visiting anti-registration agitators to tell them that any attempt to disrupt the draft will be dealt with harshly. Volunteers have swelled the ranks of the agents to over 1000. The government has warned that any anti-draft agitator who fails to register by 9:00pm tomorrow will be immediately arrested.
On a related note, a new recruiting poster issued by the Army has just arrived in Philadelphia. The poster shows Uncle Sam, his face exuding determination, declaring “I Want You for the U.S. Army”. The poster will be displayed at all recruiting stations and many businesses and social halls around the city.
Mrs. Mary Haub has distressed her neighbors for weeks and now she is paying the price. Mrs. Haub has a case of “Kaiser-itis” and proves it by constantly cooking sauerkraut and speck and flying the German flag from the 2nd floor window of her home at 1902 Jessup Street in South Philadelphia. She also loudly proclaims her pro-German opinions to passersby in the neighborhood. When challenged by one neighbor she punched the woman. The neighbor swore out a complaint but when the constable arrived to serve it on Mrs. Haub he was greeted with flying pots and pans. The constable retreated to find a policeman for help. But Mrs. Haub welcomed the policeman with unladylike remarks and spat at him. He also retreated.
That was the last straw for her neighbors. They gathered together and rushed into the house tearing down the German flag and stuffing it in a trash can. Mrs. Haub was incensed and went to the nearest Magistrate calling for their arrest. But at the Magistrate’s office she found the constable and the policeman she had abused previously. Instead of swearing out a warrant she was arrested and tonight sits in Moyamensing Prison.
In national news, yesterday cities and towns throughout the south celebrated the anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. Many locations held events featuring veterans of the Confederacy and social and fraternal organizations paying their respects to Mr. Davis.
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