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 – SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1917
There will be clear, bright skies over the city today with slightly warmer temperatures. The high will reach 59° with the overnight low near 47°. The Philadelphia Belgian Children’s Relief Committee has announced that enough money has been raised from donations of the people of this city and the surrounding region to feed 100,000 children for the next 6 months. The Bureau of Health released the weekly mortality report today showing 634 deaths last week. That is 51 less than the previous week. The leading cause of death was pneumonia which claimed 117 lives.
The United States Navy intends to order not 15 new destroyers but 24. And today contracts for 6 of them were awarded to Cramp Shipbuilding Company. And the Navy Yard here has received 2 submarine chasers. The Nedeva II which was formerly a yacht belonging to J.H.R. Cromwell, stepson of Mr. E.T. Stotesbury, has been fitted out for action. The new SP-64 will be commanded by her former owner as Mr. Cromwell also joined the Naval Reserve and is now a Lieutenant. Also presented to the Navy for use is the Zenith, a yacht owned by Charles Longstreet of this city. The Zenith was built at the Mathias Shipbuilding Company of Camden. The USS Zenith will also be known as SP-61 (shown below).
USS Zenith SP-61
In sports, the 2nd game of the best of 3 series in the Eastern Basketball League takes place tonight at the Camden Armory, Haddon Avenue & Mickle Street. A win by the Jasper Jewels over the Greystock Greys will give them the title. Another full house is expected. If the boys from Grays Ferry win tonight the deciding game will be Wednesday night. In boxing tonight at the National, A.C. 11th & Catherine Streets, 5 bouts are on the card with the featured fight being Terry Brennen against Frankie Dailey.
At the movies this weekend, at the Stanley, 16th & Market Streets, George M. Cohen stars in his first motion picture “Broadway Jones” based on his 1912 play. At the Palace, 1214 Market Street, Mary Pickford stars in “The Poor Little Rich Girl”. At the Apollo, 52nd & Thompson, Dorothy Gish stars in “Stage Struck” and at the Alhambra, 12th & Morris Streets, Blanche Sweet stars in “Those Without Sin” a story of family and honor during the Civil War.
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