Adolf the Humanitarian

WORKERS AND FACTORY OWNERS

It was the norm in Europe that a factory owner had the power of instant dismissal over an employee. There was no recourse anywhere for unfair treatment from an employer. On the other hand factory owners had no protection against crippling strikes and demands for unrealistic wage increases.

Adolf created legal rights which were fair to both factory owner and worker. Three regulatory bodies were legally established to provide this protection.

Every enterprise with 20 or more people had to have a "Council of Trust". This council had the duty to promote goodwill and teamwork in the enterprise. It was expected to settle disputes. Both workers and management had a say over the composition of this council. Unresolved disputes could be referred to Labour Commissions.

"Labour Commissions" were regional bodies that supervised the Councils of Trust. They were essentially arbitrators and conciliators appointed by the state, with no interest in favoring workers or management. Because of the technical nature of the manufacturing industry the Labour Commissions were assisted by a "Consulting Council of Experts", drawn from all major technical fields of expertise.

A "Tribunal of Social Honor" was established to resolve disputes that the Labour Commission could not resolve. Each tribunal had a presiding career Judge, seconded by two assistant judges; one representing the workers, and one representing management. The system was revolutionary and stunningly successful. The world had never seen anything like it. This system with its checks and balances was the most enlightened in human history, and the world has seen no better since.

Poster design by Adolf Hitler:
"The swastika Unites all Classes"

The rampant strikes, lockouts and absenteeism became things of the past after relations between workers and management improved. Because class conflict is a cornerstone of Marxist strategy, the looming Communist takeover in Germany disintegrated and disappeared.

"We have not broken down classes in order to set new ones in their place; we have broken down classes to make way for the German people as a whole. Our education also trains men to respect intellectual achievement: we bring one to respect the spade, another to respect the compass or the pen. All now are but German fellow-countrymen, and it is their achievement which determines their value... What is necessary is to teach each class and profession the importance of the others. All together form one mighty body; labourer, peasant, and professional man." - Adolf Hitler

Adolf also introduced the standard forty-hour work week in Europe. Overtime work was now compensated at an increased rate, which was done nowhere else on the continent at the time. And because the eight-hour work day was now the norm, overtime work became more readily available.

Whilst many of these rights are taken for granted today, it should be remembered that at the time, such social protection was unheard of outside of Germany.

"They must learn to respect each other and be respected again – the intellectual must respect the manual labourer and vice versa.
Neither can exist without the other"
- Adolf Hitler - written while in prison - 1924

Adolf often toured factories, to see for himself, and hear for himself from workers and management whether the new legislation ws improving their lot. He walked about the factories without bodyguards among hundreds of men armed with spanners and cranes. In his twelve years service and many factories he visited, there was never an untoward incident. The workers idolized him.

Adolf meeting farm workers

In another innovation by Adolf, work breaks were increased to two hours each day, allowing greater opportunity for workers to relax and make use of playing fields and other facilities that large industries were now required to provide.

All German workers now also received a pension and insurance in the event of sickness or disability.

Hygiene and Relaxation

AT THE WORKPLACE

In the early 1930's, factories worldwide were utilitarian and unfriendly to the human body and spirit.

Dark smelly functional pits for the sweat of labor. But in 1933 legislation caused German factories to conform to a high standard of cleanliness ahd hygiene. Interior areas had to be open to light.

Larger factories had to provide rest areas, cafeterias, proper dressing rooms and even playing fields or swimming pools.

It was a principle that working conditions not impair the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the workers.

Concerts and other entertainment groups toured the country, adding variety and culture to the workplace.

Within three years 17,000 cafeterias had been added onto factories. In addition 13,000 sanitation facilities with running water were provided to workers that previously had to make do with primitive latrines and washbasins.

Concerts became a regular feature in large factories.
Berlin - 1943

Crime Rate

Lawlessness, prostitution, smuggling and other antisocial maladies were widespread before Adolf took over as Chancellor. By tackling the problem in various ways crime was virtually eliminated and city streets became safe and moral regions, fit for family life again.

"Thousands of Americans, Englishmen and Frenchmen have visited Germany during the months after the national revolution and were able to testify as eye-witnesses that there is no country in, the world where law and order are better maintained than in present-day Germany. That there is no country in the world where person and property are held in better respect than in our own, but that there is perhaps also no country in the word where a more rigorous fight is put up against those who believe that they are free to let loose their lower instincts to the detriment of their fellow-beings"
- Adolf Hitler

Mother and Child Care

The "Mother and Child" organization was formed to provide for the welfare, health, safety, financial security, and recreation of mothers, their children and even expectant mothers. The 26,000 local centres created by 1937 provided 1,800,000 children with holidays. In addition, 4319 new nurseries and kindergartens were created. "In Germany today there are nearly two-thirds more kindergartens than before National Socialism assumed power. Thousands and thousands of children have been sent to special holiday and sunshine homes in the country and at the seaside. Their numbers would suffice to flank both sides of the Berlin-Nuremberg road." - Herr Hilgenfeldt. Head of the Welfare Organisation

NSDAP poster, encouraging health and family values.

In 1937, new laws were passed outlawing the sale of alcohol to minors. Germany instituted punishment for driving under the influence of alcohol and reinforced this through the application of blood tests to car drivers.

The German government promoted the drinking of mineral water as a substitute for alcohol, and conducted extensive campaigns amongst the youth to encourage them to eat and drink healthy, and get plenty of exercise; a healthy mind in a healthy body.

After 1945 Hitler was accused of every cruelty, but it was not in his nature to be cruel. He loved children. It was an entirely natural thing for him to stop his car and share his food with young cyclists along the road. Once he gave his raincoat to a derelict plodding in the rain. At midnight he would interrupt his work and prepare the food for his dog Blondi.

- General Leon Degrelle