Gas customers didn't have to pay those high prices

To the editor:

Local television, radio and newspapers were full of stories about gas stations gouging their customers with high prices after the terrorist acts. The law should do something about this gouging. Some are calling it another act of terrorism.

Many felt the state should demand that the service stations repay known customers who were overcharged or give the excess amount to the Red Cross. A local politician said he would do everything possible to bring this about.

A friend said a local station even raised the price while she was paying her bill. The station charged her the price that was on the pump when she started filling her car. So what's the problem? What the news media didn't report was that the customers agreed to pay the price stated on the fuel pumps when they refueled. If customers thought the price was too high to pay, why didn't they take their business elsewhere?

A service station or any business has a legitimate right to set prices in a free market. There was no such thing as gouging involved in their prices. The customer either agrees to pay the price or does not. It is that simple. If a businessman does not put a gun to your head and force you to pay higher prices, what could be the complaint?

JAMES NALL

Marble Hill, Mo.