Abstract
One of Austria’s principal economic problems during the postwar years has been to increase productivity and absolute production in the agrarian sector. A large part of the foreign trade deficit may be traced to the importation of foodstuffs,a which according to eminent Austrian agricultural authorities, could be supplied to a much larger extent by increasing the efficiency and capacity of Austria’s own agricultural potential. It has been stated that Austria’s agrarian production can still be increased from 15 to 20 per cent above the 1952 figure, provided agricultural conditions were generally improved.b
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Reference
Jäger, R., The Financial Aspects of Integration of Refugees in the Austrian Economy, Office of the UNHCR, Geneva, English edition Document HCR/RS/3, February 29, 1952, p. 14. (Jäger states that for the year 1950, 80% of the balance of trade deficit was due to imports of foodstuffs.) See Table XXVII, p. 132.
Kallbrunner, H., (Professor of Agriculture, Hochschule für Bodenkultur, Vienna.) Interview: August 27, 1953. Kallbrunner estimates that ideally 1.7 million could be maintained in the Austrian agricultural sector. This figure may be compared with the June 1, 1951 census figure which indicates a total of 1,515,945 in the agriculture and forestry sector of Austria; thereof 1,079,647 gainfully employed in full and part-time work. See Table XXII, p. 129.
U.S. Allied Commission Austria, The Rehabilitation of Austria 1945–1947, Vol. II, Vienna, no date, p. 23.See also: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, “Österreichs Agrar Probleme”, December 20, 1951, Zurich. For historical: Kallbrunner, H., Der Wiederaufbau der Landwirtschaft Österreichs, Vienna, 1926, p. 2.
a U.S. Allied Commission for Austria, op.cit., Chapter on Agriculture and Food, pp. 23–31.
The largest single area is located approximately 100 km north-west of Vienna, Döllersheim, Lower Austria. On June 20, 1938, 23,000 ha. of farm land was expropriated by the German military authorities to be used as a drill field and artillery range. At the present time this area is being used by the Soviet Occupation forces. Source: Schwarzacher, F., (Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vienna), Interview: August 18, 1953.
Since 1937 the total land used for agricultural purposes in Austria declined from 4,355,755 ha. to 4,080,266 ha. in 1951, of this portion the “ackerland” has declined from 1,976,061 ha. in 1937 to 1,642,190 ha. in 1951, a drop of roughly 330,000 ha. Source: Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt, Ergebnisse der landwirtschaftlichen Statistik im Jahre 1951, Vienna, 1952, p. XI.
A certain amount of this decrease in acreage used for crop raising has been due to “decaying farms” or Auslaufende Höfe. This term is used in Austria to designate farms which have no heirs and where the older people are no longer able to farm their acreages. See: Dept. of Agriculture, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bericht über die Sesshaftmachung von Heimatvertriebenen in der österreichischen Landwirtschaft, Brugg, Switzerland, November 1952, pp. 38–39.
c U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., pp. 14–15.
d U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization, op.cit., p. 11. “The population structure of Austria and in the Austrian agrarian sector is unfavorable. Strong over-aging can be established. Due to war losses and departures (from the farm sector) the age groups in the middle brackets are missing. Also the number of children is too small to guarantee the perpetuation of the farm population. The integration of the professionally able refugees with their large families in the agrarian sector can therefore only be welcomed.” (Translated from the German).
a Hermann Kallbrunner, (cf. footnote b, page 103) is of the opinion that mechanization does not necessarily lead to more extensive farming nor cut down appreciably on the needed personnel as the situation is in Austria. It was pointed out that with time saved by mechanization, the farmer can undertake additional projects such as animal husbandry and the development of specialized crops for which he would otherwise not have time. It appears mechanization has been forced to a certain extent by the “flight from the land” rather than the other way round. In 1910, 2,078,228 people were living in the Austrian agrarian sector. This was reduced to 1,842,450 by 1934 or 89% of the 1910 figure and further reduced to 1,515,945 or 73% of the 1910 figure by 1951. The total labor force in the agrarian sector dropped from 1,351,245 to 1,223,561 and 1,079,647 respectively. Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt, Österreichs Bevölkerung in Bild und Zahl, p. 58.
b This is a major prerequisite for mechanization to be fully effective as the situation now stands in Austria. During the last 60 years, 209,132 ha. have been consolidated. The total acreage which requires consolidation has been estimated to be roughly 1,300 ha. The 1950 rate of progress in which approximately 18,000 ha. were consolidated was only possible because of liberal ECA financial assistance. Even at that rate, it would require some 40 years to consolidate the acreages in most urgent need. U.S. MEC in Austria, Dept. of Agriculture, Dispatch No. 1004, Vienna, April 6, 1951.
c Raising of seed potatoes for exportation as well as increasing vegetable seed production for exportation has been advocated as well as the development of a coarse variety of hemp. The increase of sugar beet production largely for fodder, enabling increased dairy and beef production; improvement of vineyard cultivation methods; orchard improvements together with organizational improvements in marketing of this produce to prevent gluts during seasonal peaks, are considered further positive measures. Source: H. Kallbrunner, cf. footnote b, p. 103.
d Excessive cuttings in certain areas of Lower Austria are endangering the watershed and climatic conditions according to Kallbrunner.
It has been estimated that in addition to the roughly 4.1 million hectares available for agrarian cultivation at the present time, another 650,000 ha. could be added if amelioration projects could be carried out on the present un-usable land. Folberth, O., “Melioration Jetzt oder Nie,” Berichte und Informationen, Salzburg, 1948, nos. 138, 139 and 140. In the Danube region near Vienna, the water level is reported to have dropped 1½ meters due to river controls carried out for the purpose of creating a better navigable stream to the east of Vienna. This has resulted in an estimated 40,000 ha. requiring irrigation.
Kienzl, H., (Social Science Lecturer, Austrian Federation of Trade Unions), Interview: August 26, 1953.
a U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., pp. 106, 107. See: Compulsory Labor Service Law, April 18, 1946.
b An excerpt from an address concerning the Austrian Federal Budget, May 15, 1946, delivered by the Minister of Interior Oskar Helmer, gives the following picture: “Repatriation action from the Russian Zone has progressed since January 20 (1946), with the result that 62,720 persons have been thus far processed through Camp Melk (to Germany). Since there are many valuable workers to be found, especially among the ethnic Germans from Southern Moravia who have, despite their very short stay in Austria, applied themselves in the Austrian economy, especially in the agrarian sector to the greatest advantage of Austria, it is the intention of the Ministry of Interior to keep as many of these people as possible who are ethnically closely related to the Austrian people, for the reconstruction of Austria.” (Translated from the German.) Budgetrede des Herrn Bundesministers für Inneres. As it happened, the West German frontiers were closed to further refugee influx from Austria in September 1946. This was mainly due to overcrowded conditions in the Federal Republic. Up to that time some 156,000 ethnic German expellees mostly of Sudeten and Hungarian origin, had been transported from Austria to Germany. Office of the U.S. High Commissioner for Austria, Orientation Talk, Brotherton.
a See Legal, p. 74, para. 4.
b See Legal, p. 79, para. 5.
c See Tables XIX, XX, and XXI, pp. 122, 126, 128 for refugee employee labor force in the Austrian agrarian sector for 1948.
Sztankowitz, M., Das Flüchtlings Problem Österreichs, Seminar Report, Katholische Frauenschule der Erzdiözese, Vienna, 1950, p. 62.
Thoma, F., Report of the Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry — Subject: Integration of Refugees into the Austrian Agrarian Sector, Vienna, February 5, 1953. Nr. 92.1221/3/52. Thoma points out that between March 1948 and March 1952 the number of ethnic German agricultural workers dropped from 52,000 to 37,000; that of the non-German-speaking farm workers from 13,000 to 6,000. Concerning the refugee farm workers, he writes: “Those refugees and refugee families active in the agrarian sector form an important factor in assuring agricultural production. Not only must the departure of those refugees who are at the present time engaged in the agrarian sector under all circumstances be prevented, because they are indispensable for the maintenance of agricultural production, but beyond this, there is a shortage of agricultural laborers which requirements can only be filled in part by labor saving devices, but mainly through the introduction of additional labor forces.” (Translated from the German). (See Table XIX, p. 122). The total employee labor force in the Austrian agrarian sector has declined during the last five years as follows: in 1000s: 1937–285.6 1950–226.9 Source: Austrian Inst. for Economic Research, 1948–253.4 1951–216.9 Monthly Bulletin, 1952. Table 7.1. Vienna, 1953. 1949–240.6 1952–209.3
a Equivalent for Austrian schillings.
b See Thoma Report, Integration of Refugees into the Austrian Agrarian Sector, Vienna, February 5, 1953.
c See Table XXIX, p. 156, for estimated capital requirements of integration of refugees into the Austrian agrarian sector.
d Neuland, Salzburg, December 19, 1953, p. 5.
e A stipulation in the contract signed by the refugee purchasing a house under the Government ERP allocation, is that he sign a statement that he will work on a farm as a farm laborer, for at least 10 years, or forfeit the subsidy. See: Report of the Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Verpflichtungserklärung für Bewerber um Gewährung eines Darlehens für einen Eigenheimbau im Rahmen der Aktion zur Eingliederung von Flüchtlingen in die Landwirtschaft. Muster A., Zu.Z.l. 92.122–1/3/52, Vienna, February 5, 1953.
a A new housing unit for farm-workers costs from 80,000–100,000 A/S while renting and equiping a farm would require an initial capital investment of 30,000–60,000 A/S. Source: U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization Report, op.cit., p. 42.
b UNFAO Report, op.cit., p. 36.
c This has been largely done to protect the tenant from exploitation. Also see p. 115, para. 3.
d Short term loans have been made available by the American Friends Service Committee, Mission in Austria, to help bridge this time lag. This enables the refugee tenant to secure the property, shortly after he finds a suitable tenancy arrangement.
a Schwarz acher, F., Ministerial Adviser, Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vienna. Interview: August 18, 1953.
b Kallbrunner, H., cf. footnote b, p. 103.
c UNFAO Report, op.cit., pp. 38, 39.
d UNFAO Report, op.cit., p. 55.
e UNFAO Report, op.cit., p. 39.
f Schwarzacher, F., cf. footnote a, p. 110.
a In Austria (1951) 25% of all people engaged in independent undertakings were over 60 years of age; of the people in independent undertakings (587,924), 53% thereof are engaged in agriculture (311,526). Source: Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt, Österreichs Bevölkerung in Bild u. Zahl, Vienna, 1953, p. 65 and Statistisches Handbuch für die Republik Österreich, Vienna, 1952, p. 18.
b UNFAO, Report, op.cit., pp. 19, 22.
c Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 11. Jäger places the number to be integrated at 18,000 families in the agrarian sector. Other figures have been quoted with the qualification that if extensive integration assistance is not forthcoming almost immediately, the number coming into consideration will certainly decrease.
d Many of the refugee leaders predicted that unless conditions vastly improved in the agrarian sector of Austria, a substantial number of refugee farmers as well as indigenous farmers would continue to leave.
Kallbrunner, H., Einführung in die Agrarpolitik, Vienna, 1948, pp. 48–52.
Oberläuter, B., (Officer, Zentralberatungsstelle der Volksdeutschen, Salzburg). Interview: August 3, 1953.
Lendl, E., Director, Salzburger Heimatatlas, Interview: July 29, 1953.
c Schwarzacher, F., cf. footnote a, p. 110.
Abel, W., Die Eingliederung der heimatvertriebenenen Landwirte in die westdeutsche Landwirtschaft, Hannover, 1952, p. 52. Pointing out some of the refugee integration problems encountered in the agrarian sector of the German Federal Republic (where conditions are reputedly much better for the ethnic German refugee than they have been in Austria), Professor Abel says: “The further spread of (refugee) agricultural alienation shall be determined by the measures adopted in two principal areas. The first and most important is the resettlement policy adopted. A permanent stay in the agrarian sector for the majority of the expelled farmers, can only be expected if they can again become farmers. For that reason, the degree of loss of peasant stock (bäuerlicher Substanz) depends largely upon the type of resettlement policy. The other significant point is the improvement of the land-worker situation. The majority of former farmers who are now farmworkers are very dissatisfied with their lot. They may only be kept in the farm sector on a permanent basis if their wages are increased and if the possibility exists whereby they can build up a small husbandry of their own.” (Translated from the German). Italics supplied by writer.
a Neuland, Salzburg, December 19, 1953, p. 5.
b According to the Secretary General of the Danube Swabian working Council (Donauschwäbische Arbeitsgemeinschaft DAG), Joseph Richter, U.S. authorities in Austria have approved a further 10 million A/S Counterpart Allocation for refugee farm integration. The method in which the funds shall be utilized has as yet not been disclosed. Source: Richter, J., January 13, 1954. Vienna.
a Translated from the German.
a The 82 families represent approximately 400 people. 71 farms are located in Upper Austria, 3 in Carinthia, the remainder in Lower Austria.
b The AFSC Mission usually works in close co-operation with the agricultural chamber of the Land Province who give a comprehensive appraisal of the contemplated arrangements and indicate whether it is feasable for the tenant.
c According to von Catharin, changes in the attitudes of the Austrian indigenous farmer can already be noted in that many of the more progressive farming methods of the refugee farmers are now also being adopted by the indigenous farmer and some indigenous farmers are competing for ethnic Germans to lease their land.
d Not to be confused with Heimat Österreich of Salzburg, a housing association sponsored by Caritas.
Wedenig, E., Social Worker for the Siedlungswerk Heimat Österreich, Graz, Interview: September 7, 1953.
b Neuland, Salzburg, December 19, 1953, p. 5.
c See Finance, pp. 151–153.
d See Welfare, pp. 145–147.
a Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 23. “As regards wage-earning farm workers, it should be mentioned that their labor permits are more often than not limited to a particular farm.... In the opinion of the writer, as in that of the refugees themselves, this regulation is suggestive of compulsory labour, and does not encourage integration.”
a See Tables XXIII & XXV, pp. 129–130.
b See Table III, p. 39.
c The recent repeal of the Untersagungsgesetz has been described as a positive step toward opening up additional possibilities for economic expansion and subsequent absorption of new groups in industry and the marketing sectors. Gilbert Jäger states that such a system of licensing would appear justified in a static economy as the multiplication of distributive trades may outstrip productive capacity, but says they appear anomolous in a dynamic economy and especially with reference to the handicraft trades in Austria.
Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 72.
a Neue Zürcher Zeitung, “Eisenhütte, Stahl- und Stickstoffwerke in Linz,” Zurich, February 19, 1953, Nr. 384 and “Modernisierung der Österreichischen Papierindustrie,” Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Zurich, February 27, 1953, Nr. 453.
a Also see Occupation Structures, pp. 11, 18 and 22.
b Note the category “foreigners prior to 1939” and how closely the occupation pattern of this group corresponds to the indigenous employee labor structure. See Table XXI, p. 128.
a Information concerning Austrian trade unions was obtained by the writer during an interview with I. M. Tobin, (Chief, Labor & Social Administration Branch, Economic Division, U.S. Embassy, Vienna) September 2, 1953, and H. Kienzl, (Spokesman on economic questions Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, Vienna) August 27, 1953. See also: The Rehabilitation of Austria: 1945–1947, Vol. II, Prepared by the U.S. Allied Commission Austria, Vienna, no date, pp. 106–112, and Austria: A Graphic Survey, prepared by the Office of the U.S. High Commissioner for Austria, Vienna, March 1953, pp. 92, 106.
b The construction and wood-working trades had the greatest fear of the large influx of ethnic German refugees. Wage reductions were feared would result from the large supply of labor. Also reduction in construction activity in winter months accounted for over 50% of the winter unemployment in post-war years.
c See Tables XXIII to XXVIII, pp. 129–133.
Schubert, K., (Director, Glas- und Bijouteriewarener zeuger reg. GmbH, Enns) Interview: September 14, 1953.
b See Historical, p. 18, para. 2.
a In the city of Kremsmünster, a large percentage of the Gablonz workers still carry on their operations in barracks. This scene is duplicated in other cities such as Linz and Steyr.
a Nowak, R., Interview, August 6, 1953, cf. footnote a, p. 82.
b Magnus, E., (Director, Austrian Bureau for ERP Affairs, Vienna). Interview: August 17, 1953.
c Out of this figure, Gablonz has borrowed 1.56 million A/S. 8.2 went to the Tiroler Glasshütte, Leotz Enkel Firm.
d Erwin Magnus pointed out that the 48.78 million figure was incomplete. Gilbert Jäger indicates that an estimated 60 million A/S of ERP Counterpart Funds have so far been spent within the framework of the general investment policy for assistance to refugee industry. This represents about 1 % of the total 6,900 mio. A/S released by the Austrian Government for investment purposes up to the end of 1951. The 60 million A/S expenditure was made largely to ethnic German industrial undertakings. Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 40.
a Jâger, G., op.cit., p. 40.
b Ibid.
Nemschak, F., Österreichs Wirtschaft in Übergang von der Stabilisierung zur Expansion, Vienna, 1953, pp. 13, 14.
a See Table III, p. 39.
b See Table III, p. 39, and cf. footnote b, p. 41.
c U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., p. 93.
d Neue Zürcher Zeitung, “Das Wohnungsproblem in Österreich,” August 31, 1925, p. 6., and “Die Mieten- und Wohnbaufrage in Österreich,” February 15, 1929, p. 5.
e U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., p. 98.
a U. S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., p. 98.
b Ibid.
c Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt, Statistisches Handbuch für die Republik Österreich, Vienna, 1952, pp. 19, 211, 212.
d In addition to the Displaced Persons who were already in Austria during the latter stages of the war.
a Gauss, A. K., (Editor, Neuland, Salzburg) Interview: July 28, 1953.
b Vernant, J., op.cit., Final Report, p. 133.
c The large majority of the refugee population who occupy the barracks and emergency housing pay rent. This figure sometimes amounts to nearly as much as the rent for new housing being due to the very high maintenance costs.
d Jäger, G., (Economic Adviser for the UNHCR) Interview: December 30, 1953.
e See page 108, ff.
f The Neusiedler Housing Co-operative was created under the sponsorship of the Evangelical Church in Austria. CARITAS, the Austrian catholic welfare organization, has contributed funds and church properties for the construction of nearly 200 one-family dweUings. (Tonko, P. B., CARITAS, Vienna, Letter, January 15, 1954.) The housing association Heimat Österreich in Salzburg is sponsored by CARITAS.
a Estimate given by F. Müller, Director, Neusiedler Housing Co-op., Salzburg, Interview, July 31, 1953.
a This estimate is based largely on information from the following Organizations: 1. Neusiedler, Gemeinnützige Bau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft reg. GmbH. Founded: June 1950, Vienna, Living units completed 200; in process 205; planned 200. August 1953. 2. Interessengemeinschaft Volksdeutscher Heimatveririebener (IVH) Reg., Gemeinnützige Bau-, Wohnungs- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft GmbH, Founded: January 1950, Vienna, Living units completed 210; in process 32; planned 250. August 1953. 3. Siedlungswerk Heimat Österreich, Founded: March 1951, Graz. Living units completed 27; in process 90. September 1953. Heimat Österreich Graz carries on the major part of its work in the agrarian sector loaning funds to refugee farmers to lease farms thereby indirectly aiding to increase refugee housing. 4. Siedlungswerk Heimat Österreich, Salzburg. Founded: January 1952, Salzburg, Living units completed 27; in process 60. July 1953. Sponsored by the Austrian Catholic Welfare Organization CARITAS, and has no connection with Heimat Österreich, Graz. 5. Gemeinnützige Wohnbau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft für deutschsprachige Heimatvertriebene, reg., GmbH, Founded: September 1952, Linz. Living units in process of construction 134. September 1953. 6. Gemeinnützige Wohnbaugesellschaft GmbH der Gablonzer Industrie, Founded: March 1951, Enns. Living units completed 36; in process 26. September 1953. Other smaller building co-operatives as well as other religious and voluntary organizations also carry on housing construction for the refugees. For example, CARITAS has contributed to the building of more than 100 one-family dwellings scattered throughout Austria in addition to the Salzburg project mentioned above.
a Ca. 35,000 ethnic Germans and 8,000 non-German-speaking refugees.
b This does not include the 188 dwellings built with ERP Counterpart Funds for the integration program in the agrarian sector.
Müller, F., (Director, Neusiedler Bau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft, Salzburg,) Letter, January 2, 1954. Müller, estimates that for every 20,000–25,000 A/S of international or foreign aid, a new dwelling can be constructed on the basis of the above figures. Usually the Federal and State funds are dependent upon an initial capital base of approximately 20–25%. In most instances the greater part of the refugee contribution is in the form of labor. International assistance must be forthcoming before the project can begin.
d In 1952 Gilbert Jäger placed the average cost per dwelling at 80,000 A/S and estimated at that time, the need for 25,000 units over a 10 year period. Since then, costs have increased somewhat but the cost estimate of 110,000 A/S per unit may be a little too high for many of the housing requirements would be filled by apartment houses which are approximately 20,000 A/S less per unit than an independent one-family dwelling.
a Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 30. If 2500 houses were constructed annually for the refugee population this would represent approximately 10% of the 1951–52 total housing construction in Austria. In Jäger’s opinion this figure is not excessive considering the urgent need among this group.
a See Credit and Finance, p. 153.
a U.S. Allied Commission Austria: op.cit.; “The forces which freed Austria from the political bonds with Nazi Germany also snapped the food controls. Food distribution and farm operations became almost paralyzed as the Allied troops moved in. Administrative channels, so necessary for food control, collapsed. Transportation facilities had become almost non-existent because of wholesale requisitioning by the German Army and then by destruction in the course of military operations. Many food-processing plants were destroyed... “during May, June and July 1945, Vienna acquired the questionable distinction of being the hungriest city in Europe. There was practically no organized distribution of food... “In retrospect, it is difficult to see how the urban population managed to keep alive through the summer of 1945... Dysentery was prevalent with a death rate of 20% of dysentery cases. Infant mortality rate in Vienna rose to 350 per 1,000 in July 1945, compared to the pre-war rate of 67.” pp. 23, 25.
b U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., “The hungry people had looked forward to the 1945 harvest, but this too was a bitter disappointment. It was Austria’s worst crop failure in contemporary history... the U.S. Element imported 208,400 net long tons of food under its “Disease and Unrest” program between July 1945 and March 1946. People obtained unofficial supplementation to the official ration. The sources were canteens operated by voluntary societies, factory meals, and the black market. “Throughout both the military and UNRRA phase of responsibility, school children, pregnant and nursing women, hospital patients, seriously undernourished children and persecuted minorities received additional food, supplementary to the official ration. The U.S. Element and the American Red Cross were responsible for the greater portion of this special aid. Other groups which aided were the International Red Cross, Swedish Welfare Committee, Danish Welfare Committee, Swiss Relief Committee, CARITAS, and the Society of Friends.” p. 25.
c U.S. Allied Commission Austria, op.cit., “In the spring of 1946 it became apparent that even the low estimate of food availabilities from the poor crops of 1945 would have to be revised downward. Indigenous food supplied about 250 calories per person per day. Since the supplies available to the Allies were not sufficient to maintain the 1,550 calories ration, the ration thus had to be reduced to 1,200 calories for the normal consumer. It remained at that level until the 1946 crops were available.” p. 26.
a “It was not until 1952, however, that the chronic scarcity of livestock products, milk, meat, eggs and other dairy products which had prevailed in Austrian since 1938, finally came to an end. Derationing of sugar became effective November 1, 1952.” Office of the U.S. High Commissioner for Austria, Report on Austria, 1952. Vienna, 1953, p. 75.
b See p. 106, para. 2.
c See Legal, pp. 71, 72.
a See Sztankowits, M., Das Flüchtlingsproblem Österreichs, op.cit., (unpublished)
b Listed below are the total voluntary and religious welfare organizations active in Austria: I. Austrian Welfare Institutions administering Aid to Refugees: Austrian Red Cross; Evangelische Flüchtlingshilfe; Österreich Caritas Zentrale; Österreichische Fürsorge u. Wohlfahrtsverband; Volkshilfe; Stiftung Soziales Friedenswerk. II. European Weifare Organizations: Norwegian Aid to Europe, Ostpriesterhilfe, Redd Barna; Swiss Aid to Europe. III. American Welfare Organizations: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees (AFCR); American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC); American Polish War Relief (APWR); Brethren Service Committee; Cooperative for American Remittances Everywhere (CARE); Ford Foundation; International Rescue Committee (IRC); Mennonite Central Committee (MCC); National Catholic Welfare Conference (War Relief Services) (NCWC); United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC); Volkswohl (The agency of the Methodist Committee for Overseas Relief). IV. International Relief Organizations: International Red Cross; International Social Service (ISS). League of National Red Cross Societies; Lutheran World Federation (LWF); World Council of Churches; World ORT Union; World’s YMCA/YWCA. V. Others: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS); Jewish Agency for Palestine (HAFP); Venezuelan Childrens project. Source: Berichte u. Informationen, Salzburg, Nr. 350, April 3, 1953 pp. 1–6.
Folbert, O., “Die Tätigkeit der Hilfsorganisationen in Österreich,” Berichte und Informationen, Salzburg, Nr. 350, April 3, 1953, pp. 1–6.
Magnus, E., (Director of Austrian Bureau for ERP Affairs, Vienna) Interview: August 17, 1953. This sum is estimated on the basis of the 1952 Austrian schilling. Also see: Just, A., “Die Flüchtlingsfürsorge in Österreich,” Schriftreihe: Die Öffentliche Fürsorge in Einzeldarstellungen, published by Vienna Magistrate, Heft 1, 1951, pp. 1–15.
b Up to 1950, however, out of a total 546,952,566. — A/S., 324,837,541. — A/S was used for the non-German-speaking refugee group. Just, A., op.cit., p. 7.
c Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 40.
d Jäger, G., (EconomiC Adviser to the UNHCR, Geneva) Interview: December 30, 1953. This figure is the unofficial estimate of Austrian governmental credit assistance given for refugee permanent housing projects for the years 1950–1953.
a October 1, 1953.
a See Political, pp. 168, 169.
a Bank für Vertriebene und Geschädigte, AG, Bad Godesberg. (Originally located in Bonn).
Pietsch, M., Tätigkeitsbericht des Siedlungswerkes Heimat Österreich, Graz. (Period March 1951-July 1953) and Wedenig, E., (Social worker, Heimat Österreich, Graz) Interview: September 7, 1953.
b Neuland, Salzburg, December 19, 1953, p. 5.
c Created in the spring of 1951 and similar to the Schweizerische Darlehenskasse und Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft for farmers in Brugg.
Auner, Alfons, (Director, Steirische Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft, Graz), Interview: September 5, 1953.
e September 1953.
a Auner, A., cf. footnote d, p. 152.
b Auner, A., cf. footnote d, p. 152.
c Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 52.
a The German Expellee-Bank operated almost entirely with ERP Funds during its initial period. See, Vertriebenen-Bank AG, Erster Jahresbericht, Geschäftsjahr 1950, Bonn, p. 11.
b Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 34.
c See Social & Psychological, pp. 174, 175.
a Many former refugees now Austrian citizens are economically no better off than the non-naturalized. Generally speaking, the need of the non-naturalized may be greater, but this is only in degree.
b See Yearly Reports, 1950–52. Bank für Vertriebene u. Geschädigte.
c Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 52.
d The German institution now carries on transactions with over 5,000 credit institutions scattered throughout the Federal Republic of Germany. The expellees bank operated almost entirely with ERP funds during the initial period of operations. Bank for Expelled Persons and Sufferers from Damage, A Report of the Managers covering the year 1953. See Chapter 8, “The Banking Channels Used,” p. 88. Also see: Vertriebenen Bank AG, 1. Jahresgang, Geschäftsjahr 1950, (May 12, 1950-December 31, 1950), Bonn; and Bank für Vertriebene und Geschädigte, 2 Jahresbericht, (January 1-December 31, 1951) Bad Godesburg. The name of the Bank was changed in 1951 as well as location.
a Jäger, G., op.cit., pp. 38 to 48.
b Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 11.
a Thoma, J., Report Nr. 92.122-I/3/52, Subject: Integration of Refugees into the Agrarian Sector (Eingliederung von Flüchtlingen in die Landwirtschaft), Vienna, February 5, 1953, p. 3.
b Vernant, J., op.cit., Final Report, p. 125.
c The recent cancellation of all Allied occupation costs (August 1953) by France, England and the Soviet Union which amounted to a total of 420, 350, and 420 million schillings per year for the years 1950, 1951 and 1952 respectively; the stabilization of the Austrian schilling tied in with the general economic recovery of Austria, has considerably enhanced the capabilities of Austria to initiate large-scale financial assistance to refugee projects. See Tables XXII to XXVIII, pp. 129 to 133. Source: Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt, Statistisches Handbuch für die Republik Österreich, (II and III Jahrgang), Vienna, 1951 and 1952, pp. 227, 233.
d Jäger, G., op.cit., p. 34.
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© 1955 Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands
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Radspieler, T. (1955). The Economic Status of the Ethnic German Refugee in Austria. In: The Ethnic German Refugee in Austria 1945 to 1954. Studies in Social Life, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7910-2_5
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