George J. Maguolo letter to Mother - May 1, 1919
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#79 Bellevue (Seine et Oise) May 1, 1919 – Dear Mother— In France today everyone wears a “nouquet.” (twig of lily of the valley) as a token of friend ship. So if it were possible I would enclose a little boquet in this letter. But May here is not the May at home. Our rainy season gives away to a Spring of sunshine while here it continues to rain regardless of season. Showers of course – so that really fine weather does not commence until the end of May. We are not with out occasional spasms of sunshine – but with Paris at hand who cares about the weather! Rain does not mean mud here. To start a letter by talking about the weather doesn’t sound very interesting does it? But there’s
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[page 2] more to follow. Sunday the 20th of April (Easter) I spent at the old town of Rouen so rich in medieval architecture. there were wonderful things to see but nothing impressed me so as the high mass at the Cathedral with its columns decorated with old tapestries and beautiful glass. the narrow crooked streets and half timbered houses were also very interesting – the town is filled with Waces and tommies but few Americans. the following Sunday I visited Fontaine bleu the old chateaus of Napoleon & Frances I. there were wonderful interiors which I shall not soon forget. Naturally am doing a little sketching and [ms illegible: 1 wd] views & photographs of practically everything I see. And the books in some of the Paris art stores just drive one wild. As soon as I am paid I shall buy a young li harp and send it home. On the
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[page 3] whole books are cheaper and nothing is more valuable that to have the details of a monument which impressed itself. So you see the week is well occupied with work of the most pleasant sort. But the week ends are not without some social activity. Paris is too full of life (now especially) with the many newly arrived American [Red Cross] and [Y.M.C.A.] girls. Dances are plentiful. Am making more Parisenne friends. In fact all my week ends are dated up in advance so its a continuous round of dinner – parties, theatres or dances. the usual program is leave here at noon Saturday – meet some one in town and visit various museums – private collections – holidays etc. Out for a supper (and not in a mess kit) in some swell apartment theater or dance in the eve. Sleep at the “Y” or Red Cross. Early morning
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[page 4] train to some town with in a 3 hours ride of Paris. Back in Paris Sunday eve and Bellevue Sunday night. Met Bill Berry [Texas] (Capt.) who invited me out tuesday eve to a dinner party and show. great stuff for one who is so nearly broke as I am. Also Lt. Keough – one of Mare’s officers who was with a very nice [Red Cross] girl (American). It isn’t often that a “fem de Chambre” takes my coat & cap – and that I eat a chicken dinner to music! Louis’s letter of clippings & dad’s letter reach me. Am in hopes of seeing my pay condition straightened out soon - also some chance of visiting Lashin next month Sincerely, George Maguolo Bellevue Pavilion Bellevue (Seine et Oise) A.P.O. 702
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later P. S. I cannot refrain from telling you what was the subject of our French instructor today and from what follows you can see that I am able to understand French quite well. Today May 1st is labor day here but a much different occasion than with us. We celebrate the day with parades of working men who enjoy coming together and a feeling of general satisfaction is among them. But here the unfortunate working classes are more like slaves – who receive mall wages and drink most of that. (40% of our laboring classes drink excessively – 88% of these people drink excessively!) So labor day – especially today – is a thing of dread. American soldiers are prohibited to be in the streets or anywhere. the subways – cabs – trams –stop running. No theatres – cafes or
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[page 2] amusements of any kind are open the city is dead. Why? Because there is trouble brewing. the working classes are dissatisfied and on the verge of revolution. the Socialists are not our socialists – but more like Bolshevicks – naturally so with the conditions here. What a wonderful land is our America for the middle & lower classes! the working family whose father has been at war for 5 years - returns to find the son or daughter of 14 19 years of age! Men & women badly brought up and disrespectible. there are no public recreation centers, libraries, community movements as with us – the workmans home are mostly unattractive so he lives at the cafe – hence the drink. there isn’t the kindergarten for the children – a piano on time payment - a public library etc as with us.
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[page 3] And then the Borgois or Patrons look down on the working class there is a “caste” feeling of classes. the germ of the revolution has not left the people although for even now one may draw a sort of paralel with the ancient found between the peasant and the aristocracy. So trouble is in the air. A demonstration is to be made against Clemenceau. troops are held in reserve at Versailles and I should not be surprised if you should read of some mad demonstration in your papers (inspite of the secrecy that is being maintained. Wages are ridiculous with the present high cost of living . the best draftsmen & designer in Paris gets $125 a month! A master mechanic at the Beunot Auto Works get $55 a month a master potter at the Sevres porcelain studies after 30 years get $60 a month can you beat it! No wonder they wish
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[page 4] to come to America. And so with all the wonderful things over here the Borgois or upper class live well- but the working class are certainly in poverty and receive less consideration than do our own. [George Maguolo]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Mother - May 1, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Mother. 1 May 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his Mother on May 1, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo described his daily life at school. He also discussed how the French celebrate Labor Day and mentioned the tensions between the wealthy and the poor. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Study and Teaching |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; French Labor Day |
| Site Accession Number | A0969 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | May 1, 1919 |
| Language | English |