Job Control

The Hitler government last week made its first move not aimed at destroying opposition but at solidifying its own position. Into motion went Chancellor Hitlers long-heralded unemployment plan, which will be financed by a thumping government credit of 1,500,000,000 marks ($415,500,000).

The first part of the "Law for the Diminution of Unemployment" sounded like most of the unemployment relief plans that every German Chancellor from Luther to von Papen attempted: a program of public and private works to cost 1,000,000,000 marks for which the government will issue Treasury notes, under the sole supervision of Reichsbank President Hjalmar Schacht.

Attached to the plan were a number of Nazi novelties introduced by Finance Minister Count Ludwig Schwerin von Krosigk and his assistant, Under Secretary Fritz Reinhardt:

1) A good part of the public works money is expected to come from "voluntary gifts for National Labor." Gifts will be of two kinds, Open and Secret. The names of Open Donors will be published for general acclaim, and they can have the very practical advantage of deducting their gift and an additional 25% from taxable income. Secret donors will have no publicity, but should they afterwards be accused of fraudulent tax returns they become immune to punishment and the gift may be deducted from the tax due. provided it is at least 50% of the unpaid tax.

2) Interest rates on farm mortgages will be reduced to 4 1/2% for the debtor and 5 1/2% for the creditor. The Government will pay the 1% difference to mortgage holders with another 300,000,000 marks in Treasury notes.

3) To remove young women from jobs that men might hold, a Nazi bridal bonus is inaugurated. All newly married couples are granted a loan of 1,000 marks without interest, repayable at 1% of the principal monthly. Only conditions for the loan are that the bride must have been employed for six months before marriage, must quit the job and promise to take no other so long as her husband receives a minimum income of 125 marks ($34) monthly. All the money for the bridal bonus will come from a tax on the bachelors and spinsters of Germany.

4) Nazi ministers tackled the Servant Problem in this wise: Heads of families who employ domestic servants may count them as dependent minors on income tax returns. Cooks and chambermaids will pay lower taxes than girls in shops and factories.

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