1889-1900

52.70

47.50

1900-1901

51.70

46.50

1901-1902

45.0

38-70

1902-1903

49.40

46.10

1903-1904

68.40

51.0

1904-1905

72.20

65.60

In  this  case  the  outside  firms  likewise  benefited  to  the  full  by  the
higher  prices  imposed  by  the  spirit  ring ;  as  one  witness  said  :
"  The  free  spirit  manufactories  have  filled  their  pockets  owing  to
the  high  prices."  During  the  years  1899-1905  some  of  the  large
Prussian  spirit  companies  increased  their  dividends  by  from
20  to  50  per  cent.  These  high  prices  were  obtained  by  the
simple^device  of  destroying  or  overriding  competition  at  home  and
selling  sm-pluB  goods  cheaply  abroad.     The  representative  of  a


182   THE  EVOLUTION  OP  MODERN  GEEMANY

celluloid  factory  stated  in  evidence  that  spirit  which  cost  203.  4d.
in  1895,  before  the  spirit  ring  was  formed,  cost  in  1899  32s.  9d.,
and  in  1905  488.  Id.  A  varnish  manufacturer  stated  that
spirit  which  cost  his  firm  23s.  in  1900  cost  45s.  in  1905,
though  the  same  article  could  be  had  for  25s.  in  Austria.
