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 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1917
The Weather Bureau is calling for partly cloudy skies today with the chance of a light rain tonight. Today’s high will be 75° with the low about 53°. The Board of Education has announced that they have modified the rule prohibiting married women from teaching in public schools. Mr. Simon Gratz, president of the Board, announced that the new rule allows married women to teach but only in the position of substitute teacher.
Some of Philadelphia’s largest financial institutions stepped up to support “Uncle Sam” today by subscribing to Liberty Loans totaling $10,650,000.00. The institutions included Girard Trust Company, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, The Commercial Trust Company, the Third National Bank, Manayunk National Bank, and the Germantown Trust Company. Have you done your part?
The arraignment hearing of Mayor Smith and his co-defendants continued today in City Hall. The testimony included allegations that criminals in the 5th Ward paid protection money to certain unnamed politicians and that policemen and firemen that refused to support Vare candidate Isaac Deutsch were transferred out of the division. The hearing will continue tomorrow and District Attorney Rotan has suggested he may call 120 more witnesses.
In other crime news, arrests have been made of three persons in the explosion of the Eddystone Ammunition plant on April 10th which resulted in the deaths of 133 people. The Federal Government arrested Nicholas Klekner, his wife Tadiana Jovoish and Michael Lagoda. All are Russians and believed to be anarchists working in concert with the Industrial Workers of the World organization and German agents. Other plotters are also being sought. However, Frank Garbarino, special agent of the Department of Justice who is leading the investigation, said that these three are the ringleaders. The two men were employed at the plant as ammunition inspectors and the woman worked there as a stenographer. The three are being held in Media where a hearing is scheduled for Monday morning.
In sports, the World Series between the New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox begins Saturday at Comiskey Park. The weather is expected to cooperate with clear skies but cool temperatures. Tonight, after a card of six boxing matches, the Broadway Club, 15th & Washington Avenue, will close its doors forever. The club is one of the oldest boxing clubs in the country having opened its doors in 1896. The Broadway was known for staging honest on-the-level fights and never being accused of putting on a frame-up. The Federal Government has bought the land and intends to demolish the building and build an automobile garage.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW