TOO MUCH PUBLICITY SAYS PUBLICITY MAN

Interesting Reception Given M.J. McGowan On His Return From Wedding Trip

Earnest Desire to Work Thwarted By Friends and Others Who View Decorations

M. J. McGowan, director of information for the food administration, was married Wednesday, May 29; but the story doesn't end there. No matter how much general festivity may have followed the wedding, no matter what quantities of shoes and rice were wasted in defiance of the rule of Mr. Hoover, there was more to come. It was another case of "Heavy, heavy, hangs over your head." , Mr. McGowan's corner of the publications office is usually a sober, business-like looking sort of a place. Monday it was one of the gorgeous spots of the earth. Someone -- of course no one knows who -- had done a piece of interior decorating which would rouse the envy of a Herschfield or a Bradstreet. That sober desk and that utilitarian wooden chair were almost lost in a bower of white ribbon and wedding bells. About the margin of the desk ran a double border of green and white crepe paper -- emblems of innocence and purity -- very touching.

Too Much Publicity

To this lovely spot came the unsuspecting publicity man, who for once was not the undeviating advocate of publicity that he was wont to be considered. When the bridegroom entered he was more like a trembling bride than a conventional bridegroom, though he looked as if he would "rejoice as a strong man to run a race," even if he had to give a little handicap. Again he heard the wedding bells, again the organ seemed to murmur the Lohengrin.

But he looked again -- hard. Those awesome placards! What were they doing there, among white ribbon and bells The terrible truth had to be faced. Mr. McGowan came back to earth again and remembered that his stern duty in life is to food-administrate, for the signs which greeted him were: "The Newest Fighting Corps -- The Potdtriots," "Tute the Toot in Substitute," and that familiar one now seen in a new light by M. J. McGowan, benedick: "Sir -- Don't Waste While Your Wife Saves."

Back to Work

The publicity director of the food administration gazed about him. It was true then; his dream of bliss was ended. There was the entire food administration force, together with everyone that was in the building at the time and could squeeze through the packed hall. The old familiar faces -- not one of them was missing. That convinced Mr. McGowan the honeymoon was over; he must get back to Herbert and the food question. With a great show of energy he seized the telephone and called "Main One." The number has not been traced in the telephone book but it is thought he was trying to communicate with Mrs. McGowan. T. J. Hortori the official photographer, took a picture of Mr. McGowan and the other decorations after the crowd had dispersed.

notes

  1. This material is an electronic cut-and-paste of an article from the Minnesota Farm Review, Vol. 22, UNIVERSITY FARM, ST. PAUL, MINN, JUNE 6, 1918, No 40., recorded at the Minnesota Historical Society.

  2. Conversation on the discovery, with Grandson and Granddaughter, Daniel and Margaret, 11/22/2016

    Daniel: The McGowan brothers, and Gertrude, bought the Appleton Press in 1914 so this was part of Grandpa's hiatus from publishing the Press just before he went in the Army in late 1918, was it not, Marg? He and Olga were living in St, Paul at the time of their marriage at St.Cecilia's in south St. Anthony Park, and this story, and I'm not sure why he took this job in the first place after he already was a part owner of the Press; was it finances, primarily Marg, since I'm sure purchasing his share of the Press was a big undertaking for a poor Irishman at the time? And when did he go back to Appleton, Marg -- right after he got out of the Army in late 1918? You know the history better than anyone. --DPM

    Margaret: He took the Food administration job in January 1918, perhaps to contribute to the war effort using his talents more effectively than firing a rifle. By that time three brothers—Joe, Pat, and naval cadet Leo were in the armed forces and then John volunteered in April. That left Allen running the Press by himself. (I was reading the Press coverage in 1918 at the History Center this fall -- lots of concern about loyalty, volunteering for service, and maintaining agricultural production. The women were knitting warm accessories and learning how to prepare bandages.

    I think Olga had been living/working in Minneapolis since she finished nursing school about 1910. I'm not sure if they met in Appleton or in the Twin Cities.

    Grandpa received notice that he was "liable for call" to the army in May 1918, but it seems he didn't have to report until August. That may have lead to the decision to get married at the end of May.

    He did go back to Appleton right after he was discharged in November. Olga had moved back to Appleton when he reported for training in Illinois in August. He was back at the Press by December 6, and put out a 32-page Victory Edition Dec 20.

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