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devoted more interest and time than to his work within the IG. These
included the Wirtschaftsfuehrerkreis, Karl Schurz Association, International
Chamber of Commerce, Central European Economic Diet, Southeastern European
Committee of German Industry, etc. He made a habit of using to a large extent
the offices in Berlin NW 7 that he had created, and their personnel, for his
tasks which had more general aims. He continually called particularly upon the
Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung (VOWI) [Economic Research Department] to
complete economic projects which went far beyond the more confined interests of
IG (such as international stabilization of currency, industrialization of
agrarian countries, the Rumanian Danube reeds project). Since its foundation,
which was probably in 1928, this department was intended not only for IG
purposes, but as an institute serving the entire German and non-German economy,
meant to concern itself with all current questions of world economy and to
carry on an active exchange of thoughts and materials with similar institutions
in Germany and abroad. (This idea, which Ilgner completely made his own,
originally came from Wichard von Moellendorf, and was, in my opinion, adopted
by him to gain reputation and standing in public life.) The publications of
VOWI found general acclaim, the demand for them grew steadily, so that the
number of orders for special reports, which came from the outside more than
from IG, increased.
Ilgner used the first of the more important
publications, the "Europa Atlas," as well as all subsequent major VOWI
publications dealing with general economic problems, as his personal calling
card. In Ilgner's appearance and work he manifested a tendency to identify his
own personal interests with the business interests of IG, so that it can be
said that his private and business interests did not appear to be divided, but
rather seemed to be interfused. After Hitler took over the government, Ilgner
followed the new trend with "banners and coattails flying," and tried to make
connections in order to "be in on things" and to be able to take part. However,
it cannot really be disputed that he had the hope to be able to influence
developments in a way favorable to the German economy. In compliance with this
attitude, he made haste to conform to the official party line and observe the
institutions and outward forms of the Nazi regime (May Day celebration, German
salute, flags, competition for the Gold Banner, etc.). However, this was not
only Ilgner's endeavor, but that of the whole leadership of IG (Vorstand and
directorate), who, in this way, tried to secure the interests of IG which they
thought threatened under the new regime, with which they felt they had a bad
name. The tendency to ingratiate oneself with |
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