Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1924-08-14
IDAHO WANTS CHEAPER GAS

Throughout Nebraska and points
in the middle west gasoline is sell
ing for Is cents per gallon, on the
west coast 1t costs IS to 20 cents,
including state tax. In Payette and
other parts Of Idaho the price now
is 251k and up to 27h cents. OF
this amount the state collects two
cents as tax.
! This means difference OF Sh
cents gallon between middle west
points and this state. A slight in
crease in freight might justify
differential Of cent or two; but
there is no logical reason why the
people of this section should be ov-
ercharged to pay fat dividends to
the big oil companies.
That there Is something radically
wrong with the marketing OF gaso-
line is indicated by the fact that
there is such wide spread In the
retail prices In various parts of the
| United States. President Coolidge OR
dered some time ago an investiga-
ton of this situation and a partial
report has been made.
Within the past few days Attor-.
ney General Stone has started fur
Their inquiry. The report of the fed.
eral trade commission on the sub
ject, made at the request of the pres
ident, contains information, said Mr.
Stone, which warrants a further in
vestigation of the several phases OF
the problem.
Department officials describe the !
trade commissions report as Every
interesting" but indicated that it
was incomplete in some ways and the
department of justice now will delve
into the leads thus afforded. Mr..
Stone was said to believe that such
an inquiry might supply the govern
ment not only with better knowledge
Of what Ia going on in the whole oil
Industry but with evidence which til
might use in its Injunction suits re-
'ently filed in Chicago to break up
selling agreements. f
Apparently the oil business is op- I
Grated on the basis OF charging all
he traffic will bear" In some states {
where agitation was started against
Ugh prices, material reductions we're
made. n other states like Nebraska {
md South Dakota. activity on part f
Il the governors resulted in reltefL
o motorists. However, 1t Is not pEos .
'erly the function of the state gov
to intrude in the oil dis /
business. for 1t establishes a
precendent applicable to other r
ines Of endeavor. O
1t is not the intention to attack t
ocal gas dealers for 1t is unersteed a
hey make profit OF only two cents
N each gallon. Instead, the dealers
re, or should be, just as much. in
crested, il not more, than the con-
umers. for If the price Of gasoline :
we're reduced 1t would act as a slim
lus and result in greater coYisump-
ion. This would mean a larger
olume of business and greater pro
its.
How long are we going to pas ,
lively pay any price the oil corpora
ions wish to exact? Other states.
through agitation and concerted ac-
ion, have compelled reduction -
nd the same thing can be done
ere. Automobile owners should or
anize clubs with slogan of lower
as prices and II necessary invoke
boycott on the use of gas until
ome relief is afforded.
In the past the people of IdahoI
ave been the yictims Of dfscrimina- ~
on in several ways. 1t is time thew
'serted their determination to re-
st such gouging. The exaction of a !,
snalty from people of the inter-
ountain country is not justifiable.
The use Of automobiles is essen
al to the daily life OF the great
est, and excessive gas prices ARE
enace. Why must we pay from S Is
sh cents per gallon more than il
other states? z al
Is 1t because we are docible and q
different?' The gas consumers 6,
ust organize and demand a square b,
al. Idaho wants cheaper Sas, NJ
sl
u,h 49, s