Signed & Sealed

The history-making Schuman Plan to pool West Europe's coal & steel resources --little more than a dream two years ago, a far-off scheme initialed by six hesitant foreign ministers a year ago--became a fact. Already ratified by France, Germany and the Benelux nations, it was approved by Italy, sixth and final member.

Italy, which mines less iron ore than tiny Luxembourg and depends on its neighbors for nine-tenths of its coal, has everything to gain and almost nothing to lose from the pool. Despite heckling by the largest membership of Communists in any Western European legislature, the Chamber of Deputies passed the Schuman Plan by a handsome 265-98 majority. Next step: the appointment of the nine-man High Authority to start the plan rolling. If all goes well, Western Europe should have a common market for coal, iron and steel by spring next year.

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