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loyalty of Farben and other sections of industry, Hitler moved
rapidly to dictatorship. Seven days after the meeting at Goering's house, a
decree was enacted suspending constitutional guarantees of freedom and giving
Hitler power to arrest persons and hold them in "protective custody." In the 5
March election, Hitler won 44 percent of the total vote, which, together with
the Hugenberg vote and the forcible exclusion of the Communist deputies, gave
Hitler a majority in the Reichstag. When the Reichstag met on 21 March, Hitler
introduced the Enabling Act, giving him full legislative powers, including the
power to deviate from the Constitution. He made it clear that further forceful
measures would be taken if the Enabling Act were not passed. It passed.
14. Hitler had yet to consolidate his dictatorial power by destroying
the forces of freedom in Germany before he assaulted freedom in the world.
Immediately Hitler needed more money for "Party" purposes. The special
organizations of the Party, such as the SS and SA, were heavy burdens on the
Party treasury. Farben made substantial contributions to support and further
these activities.
15. Industry organized to support Hitler's political
program, including rearmament and territorial aggrandizement. In April 1933,
the Reich Association of German Industry, of which Farben was a member,
submitted to Hitler a plan for the reorganization of German industry according
to the Fuehrerprinzip (leadership principle). In transmitting the plan, Gustav
Krupp stated that "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. In
reorganizing the Reich Association of German Industry, I shall be guided by the
idea of bringing the new organization into agreement with the political aims of
the German Government."
16. Hitler now made good to Farben the promise
he had given in 1932. In December 1933, Farben entered into an agreement with
the German Government for the enlargement of its synthetic gasoline plants. All
the increased production was guaranteed by the government, as to both price and
sales. At the same time, Farben began discussions with the government and its
military agencies on synthetic rubber research and began construction of a
secret magnesium plant.
17. In 1934, Farben began to work even more
closely with the Wehrmacht in the rearmament program, and conferences with the
military "became more and more numerous and urgent." Construction was started
on secret stand-by plants for the production of magnesium and explosives. In
1935, Farben plants began to prepare detailed plans for war production and
mobilization. "War Games" were conducted to determine the effect of bombing of
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