European Coal and Steel Community

Common AssemblyThe second ordinary session of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) opened in Strasbourg on May II, 1954; Mr. de Gasperi (Italy) was unanimously elected president. Mr. Monnet, President of the ECSC High Authority, reported that the “first steps in the creation of Europe” had obtained for the member countries a renewal of credit, more favorable financial conditions, and a more productive use of their resources than they could have achieved separately. Before concluding the session on May 21, the Common Assembly adopted a resolution which dealt with the report of the High Authority, the report on administrative expenses of the Community for 1952–1953, and the provisional budget for 1954–1955. The resolution 1) approved the expressed intention of the High Authority to limit administrative expenses and its decision to draft a statute for officials of the Community; 2) stressed the open character of ECSC, expressed gratification at the development of its relations with the Council of Europe, called for speedy conclusion of the negotiations with the United Kingdom, and expressed a desire for relations with other European countries, especially Austria; 3) urged that greater attention be given to the question of cartels and maximum prices, which in some cases needed to be lowered; 4) invited the High Authority to pursue, in cooperation with governments, efforts to introduce standard international freight through-rates, and to harmonize conditions of transport; 5) congratulated the High Authority on its work to free the movement of manpower, and hoped for the development of comparable conditions of remuneration and of social security norms throughout the Community; 6) approved the allocation of a large part of the first investments financed by the Community to new construction of workers' housing; and 7) requested the High Authority to seek, through the Council of Ministers, adoption of a coordinated policy of economic expansion and development of outlets, with the objective of a reduction in the cost price of coal and steel.