Question

read this statement and answer the question that follows.
\if i get a barrel of oil out of buffalo,\ an independent dealer told the writer not long ago, \i have to sneak it out. there are no public docks; the railroads control most of them, and they won’t let me out if they can help it. if i want to ship a car load they won’t take it if they can help it. they are all afraid of offending the standard oil company.\
—ida tarbell,
the history of the standard oil company
according to this quotation, what is unfair about standard oil’s practices?
standard oil forces independent dealers to ship by the barrel instead of by the carload.
standard oil controls the docks and railroads so independent dealers cannot ship oil.
standard oil controls the way independent dealers process oil using public docks.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The quote says railroads won't take a carload if they can help it, not that Standard Oil forces shipping by barrel. So this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: The independent dealer mentions that railroads control most docks and won't let them ship (e.g., won't take a carload) because they are afraid of offending Standard Oil. This implies Standard Oil's influence over railroads and docks restricts independent dealers' shipping, which is unfair.
3. Analyze the third option: The quote is about shipping, not processing oil. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

The correct option is: Standard Oil controls the docks and railroads so independent dealers cannot ship oil.