. NMT05-T1006
Volume V · Page 1006
[trus…] teeship or directly? |
| These questions were either answered or
bypassed at the conference, but the significant point is that Loerner
participated in the discussion and knew of the underlying program of OSTI to
fully utilize Jewish slave labor in its enterprises. When it was determined to
liquidate OSTI in March 1944 because of the withdrawal of its labor supply,
Loerner attended the final meeting and signed the minutes with Pohl. A report by Pohl, dated 7 December 1943 (NO-599, Pros. Ex. 63), of a conference at which Loerner was present, shows that it was agreed that 10 labor camps in the Lublin district should be taken over by the WVHA as branch concentration camps, as a result of which "the inmates of these labor camps will become concentration camp prisoners." It was further agreed that all other labor camps in the Government General should be taken over by WVHA "in the interest of a general clearing up." As a further measure of control, it was agreed that the police guards acting in the labor camps should be subordinated to the WVHA and taken over by that office, "as far as they are members or possible candidates for the SS." A significant document (NO-2147, Pros. Ex. 30) is found in the report of Loerner and others to Pohl, 9 January 1942, concerning the proposed acquisition of property for the enlargement of the concentration camp Stutthof. Pohl had collaborated with others in a detailed study of the proposed plan, which contemplated the housing of "25,000 prisoners, including prisoners of war." Although this plan was never consummated, Loerner participated in it up to the time of its abandonment. A few days later, Maurer reported to Loerner that Pohl had made him responsible for concluding the details and outlined at length his plans for acquiring the property for the concentration camp. If Loerner was only a straw man or a figurehead, it is difficult to understand why Maurer felt impelled to report to him. Document NO-514, Pros. Ex. 414 discloses that on 3 March 1944, Loerner participated in a conference for the preparation of a new wage scale for prisoners, at which it was decided that their wages be fixed at about 75 percent of the wages paid in private industry. It will be observed again that this has no reference to wages to be paid the workers but only to the amounts to be paid by the industries to the concentration camps. Loerner participated in the |
