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, MAY 21, 1917

There will be clouds over the region today with the possibility of rain this evening. The high will be 70° and the low near 54°. The Bureau of Health released the mortality report from last week showing 622 deaths which is 25 more than the proceeding week. The leading cause of death was acute nephritis and Bright’s disease claiming 84 lives while Tuberculosis claimed 68.

Base Hospital No. 10 organized by the Pennsylvania Hospital has sailed for France. The hospital includes 26 physicians, 65 nurses and 160 orderlies and assistants. The date of the sailing and the eventual destination has been kept secret. And Charles “Charley” Taft has enlisted in the army as a private. Private Taft is the son of former President William Howard Taft and the brother of Helen Taft, the dean of Bryn Mawr College. Prior to his enlistment Mr. Taft was a student at Yale. He and eight friends left school today and enlisted together.

A large fire damaged a number of amusement buildings and rides in Woodside Park Saturday evening. The damage is estimated at $160,000.00 which it is believed will be covered by insurance. The fire destroyed 13 amusement rides including the “Mountain Scenic Railway”, the “Witching Waves” and the “Switchback”. The owners are pledging to rebuild.

In national news, registration day has been set for the selective service draft. Every male resident of the United States between the age of 21 and 31 must register by June 5. The law creating the draft provides for the raising of an army of 1 million men. And in Washington, D.C. Mr. Herbert Hoover began work in his new position as controller of the nation’s food resources. Mr. Hoover is by profession an engineer who made a fortune in South America before retiring. Most recently he has headed the American Commission for the Relief of Belgium.

On the sports beat, the A’s game in Cleveland today was called on account of rain. At 15^th & Huntington, the Phillies won their 3^rd in a row from the 1^st place Cubs by a score of 4 to 3. Eppa Rixey got the win going all 9 innings. Ban Johnson, president of the American League, has announced that each of the 8 clubs in the League will subscribe to a pro rata share of Liberty Bonds equaling a total of $100,000.00.

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