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 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1917
This will be another partly cloudy day for the city. Cool temperatures are also continuing. Today’s high will be 54° with the low about 42°. Philadelphia’s people and businesses made this a banner day for patriotism with $19,000,000.00 in subscriptions for Liberty Loans. That is the most ever pledged by this city in one day. The largest subscribers were the Philadelphia National Bank and the Pennsylvania Railroad which each pledged $5,000,000.00.
Archbishop Prendergast told an assembly of priests today that he has placed the entire spiritual and financial resources of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the disposal of the United States Government and the army and navy. He also urged all priests under the age of 40 to volunteer for service as chaplains either at home or abroad. Finally he disclosed that all available funds of the Archdiocese have been invested in Liberty Loans. In scholastic news, a group of boys from West Philadelphia High School will leave today to do their part on the farm. The boys will be taken to Adams County where they will be picking apples. The growers there said 60,000 baskets of apples will be lost if not picked immediately.
Testimony continued today in the hearing against Mayor Smith and eight other defendants on the charge of murder conspiracy. Today’s highlight included testimony from Mrs. Clara Freeman that she overheard Isaac Deutsch, Vare leader in the Ward and police lieutenant Bennett discuss killing James Carey, Deutsch’s opponent in the election on September 19. Away from the courtroom State Senator Edwin Vare today called the entire inquiry into the 5th Ward “bunk” and compared it to a stage show. His remarks were made at a meeting of the McKinley Republican Club, 52nd & Haverford Avenue. Mr. Vare declared, when all is revealed he and his brother will be completely exonerated.
Game three of the World Series was played today at the Polo Grounds in New York with over 30,000 fans in the stands. The Giants took the field first in their new gleaming white uniforms with royal purple trim. Manager McGraw sent Rube Benton to the mound and he did not disappoint tossing a 5 hit shutout as the Giants won 2 to 0. Eddie Cicotte, who won game 1 for Chicago, took the loss. The White Sox lead the series 2 games to 1.
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