hitler

59movements with amused interest. One morning, however,after the visit of the mice he could not fall asleep; hereached for something to read and laid his hand on thepamphlet which the man had given him. Its title was “MyPolitical Awakening.” It was the political program of theGerman Labour Party.A few days later Hitler received a note in long handthat he had been admitted to the German Labour Partyand that his acceptance of membership was expected eitherin person at the next meeting or in writing. This way ofgaining members Hitler found quite amusing and it wasmore in fun than in earnest that – not knowing what todo with his time – he went to Das Alte Rosenbad in theHerrengasse, where the meeting was to be held.The attendance this time was even less than on the previousoccasion. Around a kitchen table, lit by a petroleumlamp, sat four persons, all officers of the German LabourParty. The treasurer read his report which showed thatthe total assets of the party amounted to 7.50 marks. Thatmeant less than two dollars. The three other officers thereupongave a unanimous vote of confidence to the treasurerand assured him of the unqualified gratitude of the fatherland.The imperial president, Herr Harrar, had received threeletters from various parts of the Reich, asking for informationabout the party and soliciting its guidance. The faces ofthe four men were beaming with pride. This meant tothem the nation-wide recognition of their work. A longdiscussion followed in which they thrashed out the prob-