Each shipper made the best bargain that he could, but whether he was doing better than his competitor was only a matter of conjecture.

Much depended upon whether the shipper had the advantage of competition of carriers.
The Standard Oil Company of Ohio, being situated at Cleveland, had the advantage of different carrying lines, as well as of water transportation in the summer; taking advantage of those facilities, it made the best bargains possible for its freights.

Other companies sought to do the same.

The Standard gave advantages to the railroads for the purpose of reducing the cost of transportation of freight.

It offered freights in large quantity, car-loads and train-loads.