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 – FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1917
There will be partially cloudy skies over the city today with the high temperature near 36° and the low tonight about 32°. More than 200 bellhops of this City are forming a military company and will offer their services should war come. Presently the men are drilling in the basement of the Bellevue-Stratford which boasts a contingent of 75 members. The Adelphia, Ritz-Carlton, Bingham, Aldine, St. James and Colonnade are also represented.
The 4000 members of the Philadelphia Police Department will be making history tomorrow. For the first time ever an entire police force is going on a diet. The program began today with the bluecoats being given full physical examinations. The program will be run by the Life Extension Institute. As part of the program training the officers will be taught proper nutrition, diet and exercise. The results of the physical examinations will be kept confidential and only released to the policemen themselves and the doctors involved in the program. The officers will receive monthly reports on their progress.
In scholastic news it has been learned that there is a plan to consolidate Episcopal Academy and Chestnut Hill Academy which are two of the most prestigious preparatory schools in this part of the country. Under the plan Episcopal will abandon its school at Juniper and Locust Streets and move to Chestnut Hill’s buildings.
In national news, In Washington D.C. today the Congress passed a massive Navy bill totaling $535,000,000.00. The funds will go to building more ships, arming merchant vessels and recruiting sailors and marines.
Officials in Mexico have declared complete ignorance of the German proposal and plan laid out in the Zimmermann telegram. In fact high placed Mexicans close to First Chief Carranza have assured American officials that the plan was never even broached with their government. Ambassador Fletcher has been instructed by the State Department to directly ask Mr. Carranza to declare Mexico’s position regarding the German plot.
In Washington, the Japanese Ambassador, Yoshimaro Sato, has met with Secretary Lansing to discuss the German plot. After the meeting the Ambassador released a statement denouncing the idea of Japan ever joining into such an alliance. Meanwhile senior officials in the Japanese government have characterized the proposal in the Zimmermann Cable that Japan would wage war against the United States as “utterly preposterous”. These officials have declared Japan is firmly committed to its alliance with the Entente against Germany. A formal statement for the Japanese government on the matter will be forth coming.
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