Copy
File No. 183 v.B. 25 April 1933.
Dear Mr. Reichs Chancellor!
Referring to the kind letter of the Secretary of State of the Reichs Chancellery, dated the 10th of this month, Ref No. 3646, I respectfully enclose herewith a statement which represents my views concerning the reorganization of the Reichs Association of German Industry and of the trade associations as a whole. I am also adding a synopsis of statements concerning the programme of the Reichs Association of German Industry in previous years.
The standpoint taken by the Reichs Association of German Industry concerning the question of reorganization of trade associations has been characterized, on the one hand, by the simplification and rationalization of all the industrial groups. This was aimed at in the widest circles of the Reichs Association and, last but not least, by myself. On the other hand, it was characterized by the wish to co-ordinate, in the interest of the whole nation, both economic measures and political necessity, adopting the Fuehrer conception of the new German State. Industrial associations should be formed which are as simple and powerful as possible, closest to present conditions, and retaining the valuable privilege of free industrial administration. For me, this standpoint is a political and economic necessity. ,
I feel convinced that this task of reorganization can be realized only through an active economic self-administration based upon the creative energies of each employer and employee, and recognizing the principle which combines the National Idea with National Responsibility. This should be done by the closest contact between the Reich Government and its representatives on one side and the Reichs Association on the other. In this respect T am convinced that the deciding factor leading to the
D—157
success of the reform is not to be found in the outward form of the organization itself but in the spirit, in which union between political leadership and economic necessity is established for the benefit of the State and people.
The presiding council of the Reichs Association of German Industry has entrusted me, as its chairman, with the task of reorganization in a resolution passed at its extraordinary session held on the 6th of this month. The Reichs Association of German Industry, dear Mr. Reichs Chancellor, puts itself at your disposal and at the disposal of the Reich Government for all necessary negotiations. At the same time I respectfully request the confidence and assistance of you and of the Reich Government in the task of reorganization which shall serve to render the trade association a most useful instrument towards the purpose of rebuilding a national economy.
Assuring you, dear Mr. Reichs Chancellor, of my highest esteem, I have the honour to be.
To: Reichs Chancellor Very respectfully yours,
Hitler
Berlin. KRUPP BOHLEN HALBACH.
Enclosure No. 1 to the letter of Dr. Krupp von Bohlen und
Halbach to Reichschancellor Hitler,.dated 25 April 1944.
On April 6 of this year the Presiding Council of Reichs Association of German Industry empowered me unanimously, as its Chairman, to establish contact with the Reichschancellor, the Government of the Reich and its officials, for the purpose of determining what measures shall be taken to simplify and remodel the trade associations.
By this unanimous resolution of the Presiding Council it is declared that:—
1. In view of the authority bestowed upon me to appoint representatives to deal with various problems on hand, I am solely empowered by the Reichs Association of German Industry to hold any necessary conferences with the Government of the Reich and its official*, and
2. under the same authority as in para (1) I am solely responsible on behalf of the Reichs Association of German Industry for all organizational reforms, especially those concerning personnel ; which may result within the structure of the Reichs Association of German Industry.
0-157
By the resolution of the Presiding Council, the Reichs Association of German Industry has given me full powers which involve extraordinary responsibilities.
The following considerations led me to the acceptance of this extraordinary authority:—
The turn of political events is in line with the wishes which I myself and the Board of Directors have cherished for a long time. I am convinced that, under the threat of the impoverishment of our people, the machinery of government must be simplified to the utmost. For the same reason I did not fail to recognize a long time ago the necessity of rationalizing our economic system.
Convinced that the opportunity of the hour must not be missed-to obtain the best for our economic system I am employing the authority bestowed upon me by the Presiding Council to carry out a double task:—
1. In the negotiations with the Reichschancellor and his representatives, I shall make it my goal to co-ordinate, in the field of organization of industrial associations, the economically reasonable with the politically necessary.
2. In reorganizing the Reichs Association of German Industry I shall be guided by the idea of bringing the new organization into agreement with the political aims of the Reich Government and at the same time to make it so rational and forceful that it can be an effective instrument of industrial enterprise, according to the relative importance of the industry.
The task of re-organization of industrial groups would be on too narrow a basis if in doing so I were to think solely of rebuilding the Reichs Association of German Industry. I know from my own experience how much individual firms suffer from circumstances of historical development which cause overlappings of industrial groups, frequently resulting in a lack of co-ordination in their formation.
This demands that we must also bring into the sphere of our coming tasks the numerous questions pertaining to the complex occupational formation of our economic system. The foremost aim of our economic system and especially of industry, must therefore be to eliminate organizations which are too complicated. In order to preserve the valuable privileges of free industrial self-management, the resulting organizations must be made as simple as possible.
After the Presiding Council of the Reichs Association of German Industry bestowed upon mé the task of re-organization in
1065
D— 157
its resolution of April 6 of this year, it also stated that the still existing groups forming tha Reichs Association of German Industry were to remain to some extent inactive until the task of reorganization undertaken by me is accomplished.
I intend to use the period until reorganization is complete by engaging especially qualified gentlemen as expert advisers for the solution of specific problems. Since the management of the Reichs Association of German Industry needs the guidance of enterprise itself, I intend further to form special committees of experts to study specific questions, as for example, questions of organization, question of the ethics in economic life, the examination of occupational aspects of trade policy, exchange and credit problems, as well as the field of taxation, etc. The decision of the Presiding Council specifies that I am to preside over all these committees that I am creating. As it is impossible for me to be present at all necessary meetings, I must have the authority to appoint various gentlemen as deputy chairmen.
As soon as my negotiations with the Reich Chancellor and his officials are concluded, and as soon as the proposed committees and the management of the Reichs Association of German Industry have drafted a plan for its reorganization, I shall summon the leading groups of the Reichs Association of German Industry to a special meeting. It will be the task of the meeting to lay the corner-stone for the new structure of the Reichs Association of German Industry.
Letter to Hitler and a statement by the council of the Reichs Association of German Industry, on the reorganization of industries in "agreement with the political aims" of the government
Authors
Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (Krupp Works)
Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach
German businessperson, politician (1870-1950)
- Born: 1870-08-07 (The Hague)
- Died: 1950-01-16 (Castle Blühnbach)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: banker; diplomat; entrepreneur; fabricator
- Member of political party: German People's Party; Nazi Party
- Position held: member of the Prussian House of Lords
- Educated at: Heidelberg University
- Spouse: Bertha Krupp
Date: 25 April 1933
Defendant: Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach
Total Pages: 3
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: D-157
Citations: IMT (page 288), IMT (page 5124)
HLSL Item No.: 450555
Trial Issues
Conspiracy (and Common plan, in IMT) (IMT, NMT 1, 3, 4) IMT count 1: common plan or conspiracy (IMT) Nazi regime (rise, consolidation, economic control, and militarization) (I…
Document Summary
D-157: Copy of a letter from Gustav Krupp to Hitler stating his views on re-organization of Reich Association of German Industry, and enclosing memo of a resolution of presiding council of Reich Association of German Industry