New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-14
GAS WAR SPREADS
TO Other STATES
Developments in West Cause
Decline in Prices

Chicagqsg Aug 14.-Reductions In
gasoline prices, begun when Governor
w. Fl. McMaster OF South Dakota, or
dered state highway supply depots to
sell gasoline at 6 cents gallon. as
sumed a national aspect today when
price cuts announced by the Standard
Oil companies OF Indiana and Ken
lucky and independent producers be-
came effective in mid western and
southern states. A threat OF federal
investigation of the gasoline and oil
situation and announcement OF fur
thcr curtailment of production also
are features in the gas price war.
Gasoline today Is selling at 1914
cents In Chicago, 16 IA cents in
Omaha, 1853 cents In Kansas City, %
cents in Louisville, KY, II cents in
Dallas, Tex. and from Is to % sents
In other parts of Texas with prices
in other sections affected by the re-
auctions varying according to freight
rates.
Cut 60 Cents
In Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota, North Dakota South
Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and parts
of Oklahoma the cut made by the
Standard Oil Co. of Indiana is six
and six-tenths cents and that of In
dependents in the same territory five
cents. Retail prices in Kentucky,
Florida Mississippi, Alabama and
Georgia arc reduced one cent by the |
Standard Oil Co. of Kentucky. Gaso-
u1ya un
cut OF six and one-four cents. The
Magnolia Co. has reduced the price |
In Fort Worth, Tex, 2 cents making |
a price of T. cents a gallon.
Refners and distributors in the |
Rocky Mountain states declare they |
court inquiry which, they said would
show no unreasonable profits had been
made,
investigations of local conditions
either are under way or have been or
dered by state and municipal authori-
ties.
Inquiry in Arizona
Governor George p. Hunt of Ari-
znna. last night said an inquiry would
begin at once to determine FAIRNESS
OF prices. Prices there range from
% to IS cents gallon, including
taxes. Il
A threat of state sale of gasoline IN
Nebraska was made to oil company
heads by Governor Bryan, who asks
price reductions. Il
The Chicago city council petitioned
agencies of supplies to break prices,
before announcement was made OF the
reduction.
Governor Victor Donahey Of ONO,
IN an answer to Governor McMaster
If South Dakota said there were no
laws in Ohio under which he could
assist in the campaign for price re-
auction and said it appeared to him
a matter for federal rather than state
action.
Governor j. A. 0. Preus of Mime
sofa. previous to the reduction an
nounced an inquiry into costs.
III a Short Measure
An investigation of short measure IN
gasoline in Cleveland, O., resulted In
Ave arrests yesterday.
The inquiry by the department of
Justice officials said is designed to
determine whether there has been
in restraint of trade in
interstate commerce in connection
with the recent decision of 25 REIN
cries in the mid-continent field to
shut down. |,
Limitation of purchases of crude
iii in Texas and Oklahoma was an
nounced by the Magnolia Petroleum
Go. simultaneously with the announce
nent of price reductions in other sec 7
ions The company will accept only Z
% per cent of the production Of the
wells connected with its pipe lines,
he other so per cent to be run into
he company's storage stock.
Reduction Rumors
Reductions of more than five cents
we're said to be unfair and ruinous by
q. ". Nicholas, head of the National
Petroleum Marketers association, in
announcing the five cent reduction by