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bits by betty

Lead Summary
By
betty mann, Rock County Historical Society president

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on August 24, 1923:
 
MOTORISTS STILL PROFITING IN WIDESPREAD GAS WAR
 
Prices in Minnesota Remain on 16.8 Basis—Independents Raise Price in South Dakota
 
The gasoline war, started two weeks ago when Governor W. H. McMaster, of South Dakota, ordered the state supply depot to sell gas ten cents below the price charged by the oil companies, still is on, without any indication of complaint on the part of motorists.
Over in South Dakota, following a conference the latter part of last week with independent oil dealers, Governor McMaster agreed to an increase in price in that state of from 3 ½  to 4 cents per gallon, making the price according to locality from 19 ½ to 20 cents. The standard oil Co., however, failed to see the move, and has continued selling gas at 15 ½ cents, the price fixed by this company in reply to the cut ordered by Governor McMaster. In Sioux Falls motorists have the choice of three prices—15 ½ cents a gallon at the Standard Oil stations, or from 19 ½ to 20 cents at the independent stations.
In other sections of the country to which the gas war spread, the situation remains unchanged. In Luverne gasoline still is selling at 16.8 cents a gallon at all filling stations, the independents meeting the cut made by the Standard Oil Co. This price, with freight differentials, prevails throughout the state.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

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