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, NOVEMBER 9, 1917

Today’s forecast calls for another pleasant day with clear skies and moderate temperatures. The high will be near 59° with a low tonight about 42°. Mrs. Lena Hagemeister is proudly flying a military service flag over her porch at 5149 Ludlow Street with 5 stars. Mrs. Hagemeister has given her husband, two sons, a son-in-law and her nephew to the service of her country. Mrs. Hagemeister’s youngest son Richard is planning to join the colors as soon as he comes of age. At which time a sixth star will be added.

The local office of the Department of Justice has announced it has received permission to prohibit aliens from Germany, Austria, the Ottoman Empire and other enemy powers from the Philadelphia waterfront. Mr. Frank Garbarino of the Department said today that he has been given authority to keep aliens up to 100 miles away from the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. However, he also has the discretion to order a lesser proscribed zone.

The German-American Alliance of Kansas City, Kansas had planned to hold its annual celebration commemorating the landing of German immigrants in Philadelphia and the founding of Germantown in 1683 next Sunday. However, that will not occur. The Kansas City police announced that the celebration will not be permitted this year because citizens complained that the celebration was inappropriate in time of war with Germany. In other German-American news, the Pittsburg Orchestra has decided to omit from its performances any music composed by a German or Austrian for the duration of the war. This includes all compositions by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms and Wagner. The Philadelphia Orchestra has agreed to comply with this decision when it performs in Pittsburgh later this month.

In New Jersey at Camp Dix, 4500 negroes have arrived for training. The negroes were drafted from Florida, New Jersey and New York. After the riots in Houston, Texas in August it was considered prudent to conduct negro training in northern camps. The colored draftees will be trained, housed and fed on the northern side of the camp separate from the white troops.

In high school football today Germantown defeated Central 14 to 0; Cheltenham bested Abington 17 to 0; Episcopal Academy overwhelmed Germantown Academy 27 to 0 and South Philadelphia downed Frankford 19 to 0.

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