Question

select the best evidence to support the statement that in the late 1800s, a law made it easier for magazine companies to do business. at the turn of the twentieth century, short stories were a preferred form of entertainment in the united states. this was a boom time for magazine publishing, owing in part to developments in offset printing technology as well as to the postal act of 1879, which had granted magazines discounted mailing rates. publications such as ladies home journal, the saturday evening post, and the delineator, all of which published short stories, sold more than a half million copies per issue. the authors of these stories were well known at the time and often well paid. from heidi pitlor, 100 years of the best american short stories. copyright 2015 by houghton mifflin harcourt publishing company

Explanation:

To support the statement about a law (in late 1800s) making it easier for magazine companies to do business, we look for evidence related to a law affecting magazine business. The text mentions the Postal Act of 1879 granted magazines discounted mailing rates. This directly shows a law (Postal Act 1879) aiding magazine companies' business by reducing mailing costs, making operations easier. Other info (short stories' popularity, magazine sales, author payments) doesn't relate to a law's impact on business ease.

Answer:

The Postal Act of 1879, which had granted magazines discounted mailing rates.