Evening star., 1934-07-22
13 Per Cent Unemployed.

World War when German ports were
blockaded.
13 Per Cent Unemployed.
AS for unemployment, presumably
reliable figures furnished by the min
istry of labor indicates that on July
l there were only 2,525 900 unemployed
workers (about 1876 per cent of the
total workers in Germany. The fig
ure stood at 5,038,000 a year ago.
1t is also revealed the unemployed rose
by 100000 on June Is as compared
with the last previous count. Official
sources admit an increase of 230 900.
If 2,500,000 storm troopers (that Is
Hitler's own statement as to their
numbers in April) are put on vaca-
ton, the total number of idle in Ger
many will Immediately rise to more
than 100000 again.
The burden of carrying the unem-
ployed is becoming unbearable. In
1882 relief and insurance disburse-
ments exceeded 2.700, 900 900 marks.
In 1888 it was 2.000,000,000 marks
and this years estimate is placed at
l 400, 100000 marks. Expenditure of
1000 100000 marks on public works
during the next five years has been
authorized, but 1t is hard to see where
the money is coming from for such
unproductive work.
Already a scarcity Of foodstuffs is
evident. For several days Berlin was
unable to obtain potatoes. The scare
ity was caused, however, by an i'm
promptu boycott imposed by farmers
of the Berlin region who opposed a
ruling of the ministry of agriculture
that all potatoes had to be shipped to
the capital in sealed sacks and sold
at uniform price of II pfennigs per
kilogram (about cents per pound)
The peasant revolt is significant be-
cause it indicates growing dis
respect for the government.
1t is stated that food cards have
been printed and rationing system
for bread, sugar, meat and even
clothing formulated. 1t will be put
into effect as soon as boarding or a
scarcity become evident. The general
public is being prepared for it through
the Nazi press.
Interested in Business.
Through buying up deprecated
stocks in various German industries
held abroad, the government is said
to have heavy interest in German
private business. But so-called going
concerns are unable to take up their
issues even at favorable prices. Ap-
peals for assistance from the minis
tries of finance and commerce and
industry are pouring in daily. In all
parts Of the country factories, small
industries, exporters and importers
and wholesale merchants are begging
for loans and subventions. Several
factory owners in Breslau and Chem
nitz have been sent to concentration
camps for having violated the regu-
lations against laying-off workers.
One example of the chaotic condi-
tions is the experience of a group of
textile firms which recently received
heavy orders for cloth from the gov
ernment, to be used in uniforms for
the Arbeitsfront (similar to the civil
ian works camps in the United
States. After purchasing raw ma
terials and starting production, the
factories found the order cancelled
without any explanation. Withdrawal
of brownShirts from $500, 900 storm
troopers also will be disastrous to
the textile trade.
The above-cited case Is but one of
many similar incidents. The Ham,
burg American Line (and Nord-
deutsche Lloyd is also reported in a
bad way and manages to maintain its
service by utilizing its capital re-
serves.
Perhaps the most significant thing
since the July l cleanup" is the
elevation of DR.. Kurt Schmitt, minis
ter of economics, to supreme indus
trial dictator. Schmitt occupies a po-
sition analogous to Hitler. the one in
the economic realm and the other in
the political field. He is empowered
to take any measure deemed nee
essary to move German industry. But
what is even more inexpainable is
that the appointment came after he
had been ordered by doctors to take
an indefinite rest away from Berlin.