Mahla Cork Factory Complains that Competitors Are Accusing it of Having Jewish Connections

Lauf, 26 April 1933

Re: Cork factory C.& E.N. Mahla Ltd. Nuremberg.

We declare the following after having gathered information in the matter:

According to reliable information, the competition is using the present situation in recent weeks to its advantage and to harm our business. It is well known that by order of the National Socialist Party and the relevant government authorities no orders should be place with Jewish firms. The competitors of Mahla are using these circumstances to claim that the owner and stockholders of the firm are Jewish.

This is not the case, according to the information supplied by the manager of the Mahla company. Enclosed is the Affidavit:

affidavit signed by Director Karl Doehler:

Berlin 26 April 1933

Affidavit:

I herewith declare under oath that the firm Mahla as well as the owner of the firm Mahla - the United Cork Industry Berlin....[address]... is not a Jewish business. The largest portion of the stock (75%) is held by the Christian firm Aktiebolaget.... Stockholm 17. A further portion (about 12%) is managed in a trust by a Dutch company. It is improbable and I have no knowledge of the stock managed by this company being the property of Jews. The rest of the stock is sold on the free market. The owners of this stock are unknown to me.

Karl Doehler, Manager of the Cork Factory.

It is naturally in the interest of the industry, which has suffered quite a lot, that such business tactics, which in our opinion are contemptible, should be stopped. If such business tactics by competitors is permitted, it would, in this case, result in a purely Christian firm, one that is being financed up to 75% by Swedish capital, being driven to ruin and around 100 employees losing their jobs. It is to our advantage that foreign capital be invested in Germany in order to keep a factory in business.

District head of the NSBO (National Socialist Organization of Factory Cells) Lauf.

Signed : Rob. Kahlert

Source: Yad Vashem Archive, M1DN 85.

Source: Yad Vashem