The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-07-09
BY Rev. J. Van Der Heyden.
(For N. C. w. C. News Service)

July 40 ID InC u6y CAOSCA lOT I40
solemn laying of the cornerstone Of
the Library of Louyain University.
For the threefold reason that the funds
to erect the building are provided by
American generosity, that its archi-
tect-Mr. Whitney Warren, Of New
York-is an American, and that a
large proportion of the books 1t Will
contain are coming from America, the
ceremonies promise to bear an Amer.
ican character.
Cardinal Mercier sent Dr.. Nicho-
las Murray Butler, president Of Colum-
bia College, New York, an invitation to
preside at the cornerstone laying cer-
emony.
Far down the ages the name Of
America is bound to remain linked
with the monument destined to replace
the six-century-old "Halles" gutted up
on that fatal August %, 1914.
From generation to generation, Bel
gians shall point to it as the handsome
testimonial of Americas chivalrous
friendship to their country and of
kA4ACi du LlOu kUE Iu6 CAd1tCu
courage of the;-' 'orebears.
The name of the architect to whom
has been entrusted the mission of
giving expression in mortar and stone
to American thought and feeling will,
as a matter of course, ever be uttered
in the same breath with America,
whenever spoken of as the rebuilder
of our library. He says that it shall
crown his artists life.
Architect Warren's Quest for Site.
However, should not dare to stake
chips upon the forecast that all the
share he has had in the work of recon
struction will always be remembered.
Even at this stage Of the enterprise
there rs a history to 1t, OF which one
foiissssceffs Enown -onay stc the initiated
few, viz, the chapter detailing the ac-
QUESTION ofsthe ground whereupon the
child of Mr.. 'Warren's brain will stand.
He himself may feel modestly loath to
speak about it, or, perchance, not even
realize that he performed feat which
no Belgian would have dared attempt,
or even if he had dared, could have
carried to a successful issue.
When Mr.. Warren arrived in Brus.
sells last March to advise with the
academic authorities, he was shown
different locations available for the
erection of the prospective library. He
frankly said that none answered his
expectations or met the requirements
of the project he had in mind, and
asked for permission to take a soli
tary walk about the city, to make his
| own choice. His choice was a lot
bounded on two sides by large and
beautiful squares and on the two others
by quiet streets, right in the center
of the city. Alas! that ideal spot
covered before the conhagration with
the private mansions Of well-to-do citi
zens, was already preempted by the
Provincial Government for a court
house.
What of that" said Mr.. Warren
Considering the object in view and
the desire of the American people tc
provide worthy substitute for the
L l4DI WAANA Wdc uO0IAOyCu LII Liz
war, the State surely would renounce
it's title in courtesy to the generous
benefactors desirous of seeing theil
gift upon conspicuous and suitably
framed ground.
/ Unsuccessful Appeals.
/ The academic authorities, far from
sharing the Americans hopeful optim
ism, plainly stated that to seek ou
the men in power for any such pro
posal would be but wildgoose chase
But the town council, primordiall,
interested in the city's appearance ant
progress it not be called upor
to plead a cause which is also theirs
Alas! the Council Is infected witt
the policy called Liberal
probably because there is nothing lib
eral about it. In Louvain, particular
lily, the sachems are bigoted to degre,
fitting them to give pointers to an III
ster Orangeman. Why! they woul,
sooner oppose than support the prof
ect.
i To whom might one apply then
II f6IuHp6 W TIC MlAIoGSI VI JuSGIE6 10
the service of whose department tn,
block was purchased.
! The Minister of Justice h Socialist
mot likely either to favor a move des
, tined In the first place to benefit
: Catholic institution. But, suggeste
some one of more hopeful turn Q
. mind, there is the Catholic Prime Mir
lister, M. Carton de Wharf, a persona
, friend Of his colleague, M. Van de
velde-were it but to test the ground
he might at least be requested t
, breach the subject to the Minister q
q Justice.
al To the Premier Mr.. Warren wende
D his steps forthwith, only to be referre
u to the Governor Of the Province. Th
81 Governors answer was exactly sue
{ | as the University Board had predicte
t It would be-: '.Impossfhle!. The owl
'ers were dispossessed for . courthons'