Communications and transit > Circular concerning programmes of important public works

^“VeVbers^rtt ^^ 0- 736- M‘ 341’
League, and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics
and Turkey.]
Geneva, October 19th, 1931.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Communications and Transit Organisation
CIRCULAR CONCERNING PROGRAMMES OF
IMPORTANT PUBLIC WORKS
In its efforts to reduce the extent of the unemployment crisis which is crushing the whole
world, especially Europe, the International Labour Office has devoted special attention to public
works, national or international, which not only offer technical possibilities and have an economic
value, but seem likely in their execution to diminish appreciably the number of unemployed.
Last spring, it made hurried enquiries of the Governments interested as to whether they could
suggest works of this nature to which there would be none but financial obstacles. Numerous
replies were received, and although, owing to the shortness of the time allowed, they were suggestive
rather than precise and detailed, they showed that beyond doubt something could be done on
those lines. Ihe question was laid before the various Committees of the Commission of Enquiry
for European Union, which received it favourably, and on September 24th, 1931, the Assembly
of the League adopted the following resolution:
“ The Assembly,
" Seeing that, among the measures of international solidarity calculated to mitigate
the effects of the economic depression and to assist the resumption'of activity which would
benefit the workers of all countries, consideration should be given to the execution of
important public works jointly undertaken by public or private groups on European or
extra-European territory;
Seeing, further, that the problem has already been approached by the Commission
of Enquiry for European Union and has been laid before the competent organs of the League
of Nations;
In order to expedite the examination of these programmes, to co-ordinate them on
an international scale, to hasten their putting into effect and to follow their execution:
“ Invites the Council of the League of Nations to instruct the Committee of Enquiry
set up by the Communications and Transit Organisation, to which should be added
representatives of the International Labour Office and possibly of the economic and financial
organs of the League, to undertake these various tasks
This Committee will examine the concrete proposals of the various Governments,
particularly from the point of view of the utility and productivity of the works proposed.
It will report to the Council of the League of Nations, dhe Commission of Enquiry
for European Union will be called on to give its opinion on the proposals relating to Europe.”
,The having considered this resolution, asked the Chairman of the Advisory and
echmcal Committee for Communications and Transit to request the Committee of Enquiry
on Questions Relating to Public Works and National Technical Equipment, set up by the Transit
Committee, to perform the duties contemplated in the resolution.
Series of League of Nations Publications
VIII. TRANSIT
1931. VIII. 16.
S.d.N. 980 (F.) 795 (A.) 10/31. Imp. Kundig.