Gas prices rose while traveling across country

To the editor:

On Sept. 11, I was at the Florida-Georgia state line when I heard of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York. I watched the price of gasoline go up. By the time I got to Tifton, Ga., the price was up to $1.56.9 a gallon. The price in Alabama was $1.59.9. In Illinois it was $1.99.9. Missouri was $1.56.9, and Wisconsin was $1.74.9.

On the return trip the prices were almost normal, but not quite. When I got home I called the customer-service department of the major oil company I use when I travel. The person I spoke to told me the oil company has no control over pricing products sold at the company's outlets. All they can do is suggest prices. So dealers gouged the motoring public while we were in a daze over what had happened.

I just thought you would like to know what the public puts up with while traveling across the country.

JOHN NISWONGER

St. Cloud, Fla.