The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-14
K.C. FUND FOR RECONSTRUCTION AMONG BELCIANS Educational Syste m Is Launched Among 600, 900
 Members STARTED IN RESPONSE TO CARDINALS APPEAL Will Be Part of Fight to Be Carried On Against
 BOlsheVism

Tn response to an appeal made by Cardinal Mercier the Knights of Col umbus have started a campaign among the 600,OO members to raise a voluntary fund which will be turn ed over to the Belgian Primate to be used in the tremendous task of re- building BeIgium's educational system. The news that the "Caseys' had en- listed in the fight which Cardinal MerCier is gone home to carry on against Bolshevism by means of edu- cationaI methods was made public by James 4, FIaherty, Supreme Knight of the Order, to whom the Cardinal made his appeal as follows
 The numerous and very gratifying marks of sympathy and affection ex- tended to me at various times, on their visits to me at MaIines, by many high officers and members of your organization, prompt me to be so bold as to appeal to you for the aid of your Order in the superhuman task of educational reconstruction which faces me in Belsuin
 ''F'irse, there is the University of Louvain. And as to il, I am glad of this opportunity to make it clear that the destruction of the library and two other buildings. the loss of the scien- tific instruments, are only a portion of the damage done to the University by the war. During the war the Uni. veTsity was. although closed, obliged to continue prov.dinI for US proIea- sors and staff. in Belgium n-ap~ s< whom were in very paintuI circuu.- stances owing to their homes navln5 been destroyed; the expenditure was enormous. the income nil.
 In, -s1 -I-: capital funds had to be drawn upon to the very last cenume and loans had to be contracted. Louvain University is one of the buIwarks of moral and social order in Belgium, the only Ca thOic University It is a complete Un- iVersity comprising all the faculties medicine, law civil engineering. the OlOgy, etc, there are 14O professors besides the subordinate staff. If it is to struggle on impoverished and un- aided Belgium will be deprived of it. most effective weapon against the so- ciaI UpheavaIs which threaten the whole of Europe.
 Secondly, hundreds of school build ings have been destroyed; many, if rOt all our schools, high schools and colleges have had to incur heavy debts in order to face the difficulties of the war. I wish to emphasize the fact that neither the University nor the high schools or colleges receive any subsidy or aid of any kind from the State-they are entirely seIf-sup porting.
 T am purposely conffning my re- marks to the educational side of our reconstruction problems, as I under stand that your great organization wishes, in the future, especially to di- rect it's energies and force to such matters, and under this head I must also mention the urgent distress of our Christian WOrkman's Unions, as regards industrial schools. It seems unnecessary to enlarge on the absolute necessity now more than ever of giv- ing our workmen every opportunity of acquiring skill and proper training n their trade, while keeping them in truly Christian atmosphere.
 Tn concluding, ought to apoIo. gize for this very open-hearted ap. peal to you and your order to help me in the immense need am in? I feel l must not, and it is With great con fidence that I send it to you with my heartfelt gratitude for whatever the Knights of Columbus will be able 10 do to help me.
 In nationwide appeal on behaI: of the plea of Cardinal Mercier, Su I'4 ~-AAS IA4A-o44L T IdIieEty nau the IOI- lowing sent throughout the country tu the 1900 councils of the Order em. bracing membership of 60O,OOO.
 Tn this appeal lies a two-foId at- traction to the sympathy of the K. of C.. Not only can we, in keeping with our tme-honored custom here in America, sustain Catholic education in stricken Belgium, but we car, again show to His Emminence. the Archbishop of Aalines, the honor in which we hold him. In an age when men have exhibited the sternest cou- rage, have faced the most terrible circumstances, have won through to glory against the most frightfuI ob stacles, in an age when a million were tried under fire and proved their manhood, the heroic Primate of Bel. gtum stands pre-eminent.
 This man of God who never wa vered from his duty to his people though put to thes nose severe tria' by the invader, has come to the Knights of Columbus for assistance in the educational reconstruction ot his nation. Here in America we have set out to fight the spread of radi- calism throughout our citizenry We have entered upon an era of wide. educational effort, than we have ever essayed before. In the appeal from the Cardinal we have a call to a, par. aIIe1 work.
 "The Supreme Board of Directors to whom Cardinal Mercier's appea was presented, has voted that the Su preme Knights should ask for con tributions to this most worthy cause Remittances should be made payabI, to the Knights of Columbus, Cardina Mercier Fund, and sent to William J Mckinley, Supreme Secretary, Drawer 1870, New Haven, Conn.,
 Mrs. John Field of Brooklawn av