One of the strangest anomalies of classification is the rating of patent medicines as first-class, while ale and beer are third class. In a complaint on the latter score by a prominent manufacturer of patent medicines against the New York Central and other railroads, it was shown that the medicines were similar in bulk and intrinsic value to the liquors, and it is possible that the similarity went much farther than this.

Blocks intended for wagon-hubs took one rate on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and boards for wagon boxes another rate.

Railroad ties have been charged a higher rate than lumber. A high rate on railroad ties prevents their being shipped and depreciates their value at home, so that the discriminating company is able to buy them at a low price.

The Union Pacific years ago made prohibitory rates on steel rails in order to hinder or prevent the construction of a road that promised to become a competitor of one of the Union Pacific’s connecting lines. Prohibitory rates on rails, ties, etc., have often been maintained to obstruct the building of competing lines, and to render them more costly.

CHAPTER XII.
OIL AND BEEF.

Oil in Standard hands continued to receive favorable attention from the railroads throughout the middle period. The Combine was preferred by an “unreasonable mileage” payment of ¾ of a cent a mile on its tank cars, loaded or empty,[[95]] while others who attempted to ship in tank cars had to pay mileage to the railroads for the return of their empties; by practically compelling independents to ship in barrels, and charging for the weight of the barrel; and by making an arbitrary allowance of 42 gallons for leakage on tank shipments with no allowance for waste in barrel shipments.[[96]]

The Commission held it unjust to allow for leakage on tank shipments and not on barrel shipments; that the weight of the barrel must not be charged for if the weight of the tank is not, the same quantity of oil must have the same rate no matter what the package might be, unless the shippers were offered facilities for shipment by tank as well as barrels so that the option was theirs. The representative of the oil combination was questioned by the Interstate Commerce Commissioners, in relation to the mileage, etc.

“Are you allowed mileage on tank cars?”

“No, sir.”

“Neither way?”