Nazi Leader Promises New “socialization” of Jewish Firms

Further “socialization” of Jewish enterprises in Germany was promised today by Fritz Sauckel, Nazi district leader of Thuringia, following the virtual confiscation of the Simson and Company munitions works in Suhl, Thuringia, valued at millions of dollars.

In a bitter tirade against the Jews, Sauckel promised the workers of the firm better conditions under the Nazis.

An announcement that the concern has been taken over, issued yesterday by the official German news agency, charges that the workers were underpaid and that unsanitary conditions were maintained in the factories. The firm was also accused of selling arms to Marxists before the Nazis came into power.

The announcement revealed that the great arms manufacturing firm, which has been in Jewish hands for generations, has been virtually confiscated by the Nazi Party and will henceforth be operated as a “National Socialist foundation owned by the German national commonwealth.”

The action was taken with the approval of Reichsfuehrer Hitler, the announcement stated. It was carried out under the pretext of Jewish terrorist influence, utilizing the fact that under the Versailles Treaty the firm received a monopoly in the manufacture of certain arms.

The announcement charged the firm with making large profits at the expense of the German taxpayer. Simson and Company received an undisclosed payment for the property.

News of the appropriation by the Nazis of the Simson and Company munitions works created a stir in foreign diplomatic circles today. It was taken as an indication that commencing New Year the Nazis intend to confiscate and socialize large Jewish and non-Jewish private enterprises.

The seizure was also interpreted as auguring a speed-up in arms production at the Simson plant.

The Voelkischer Beobachter splashes the story across its front page today pointing out that the Nazis had a commissar stationed in the plant ever since the accession of Hitler to power.