Which pair of acts strengthened federal regulation of railroads by curbing rebates and restricting free passes?

• A. Clayton Act and Sherman Act
• B. Elkins Act and Hepburn Act
• C. Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act
• D. Homestead Act and Morrill Act

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how the federal government expanded its power to regulate big businesses in the Progressive Era, specifically through railroad rules that targeted unfair practices. The Elkins Act of 1903 made rebates illegal and required railroads to charge the same rates to all customers, ending secret discounts that favored some shippers over others. The Hepburn Act of 1906 then strengthened this regulation by empowering the Interstate Commerce Commission to set railroad rates and to inspect railroad financial records, giving the federal government real leverage to curb favoritism, including the practice of granting free passes.

This combination is precisely what strengthened federal control over railroads. The other pairs focus on antitrust enforcement or unrelated regulatory areas (food safety or land distribution), not on curbing railroad rebates or free passes.