The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-18
GASOLINE PRICE
WAR CLOSES;
STANDARD AIDS
Oil Administrator Given
deportation in Ending
Trade Clash.

In a statement 70 the press. Sec
rotary Harold Ickes, as oil admin
istratOr. announced plans for end
ing gasoline price wars in certain
areas and referred TO the results Of
a conference he had with officials OF
Standard OIL Company indiana
and various others.
Secretary Ickes stated that the
Standard officials offered 70 CO.
operate fully in an attempt 10 elm
mate price cutting and agreed 70 re-
store prices TO levels prevailing IN
surrounding areas where there have
been no price wars; further. that
they would. as part of program Tor
market stability. sell their gasoline
for ! cent a gallon more than such
independent dealers as track side
operators.
In order to make Standard OF IN
diana's position II this matter clear
It seems desirable TO amplfy Secre-
tary Ickes' brief statement. stated
President Edward c. Schubert, head
Of the company.
Our company is very ready ana
willing. and has been at all times, 10
do anything il reasonably can 10
eliminate the senseless price wars
which have disrupted various mar
kets where it operates Mr.. Seuoert
said.
Aims at Normally
without in any way aiming at
price levels that would permit more
than modest profits 10 be earned IL
is anxious to see normal markets
established and maintained so that
the industry can maintain employ
ment. wages. and present markets
for the crude oil and other materials
in BUYS. and so contribute TO STEADY
Improvement in the general eco
nomic situation. It consequently
welcomes the Intervention OF the
petroleum administrator IN the gas
oline marketing situation WIN
view toward elimination oil unsouno
practices. and will cooperate III
every way possible.
STANDARD has even gone so lar as
tn say that in certain lOcallleu
areas where special conditions pre-
vail it will. on an experimental OASIS
tolerate a differential OF l cent De
tween its Red Crown and certain
other regular grade gasOlines offered
by trackside operators and Z cent
between its StanOlind and their
third grade gasoline.
Price Position Stated
or,, ,,,oliro, this concession to aid
the Dptroleum administrator IN his
commendable effort TO bring ABOUT
market stability. Standard oil 1nol-
ana has reserved the right to deter
mine when. where. and how long 1t
will tolerate the difTerential without
fully meeting competitive prices on
trackside or other competing brands.
1T has not agreed to a general
policv of tolerating a differentlal and
has reserved the right to continue
straight-out meeting of competitive
prices in the areas not excepted and
10 return to fiat meeting OF prices
in the excepted areas if later de-
velopments require such action IN
protection of its share in the gaSo-
line business.
The company docs not recognize
the validity of any of the arguments
trackside and other cut-rate mar
keters have advanced in an effort TO
obtain government enforcement OF
a Drice diTerential between adver-
tised and nOn-advertised brands. IL
stands now as before on the prln-
ciple that it has the same right as
any other markcter to meet any
price at which a competing mar
keter offers his products and must
continue to have that right. regard
less of any deviations which special
conditions may cause to be made.