Not all gas stations profiteered

While many gas stations across the state clearly gouged consumers during the uncertainty of terrorist strikes last week, the same cannot be said for Cape Girardeau County proprietors. If area consumers missed that fact, it's understandable, because the 10 to 15-cent increases common in Cape Girardeau County last Tuesday appeared to take advantage of the frenzy. In fact, most local gas stations increased the rate in step with the projected increase in oil spot prices.

Whether the local station owners should have considered what message their price increases were sending in a time when the rest of the country was thinking of ways to unite and calm the public is another matter. They missed an opportunity to show solidarity with the public by thinking about the larger repercussions of their normal business practices during an extraordinary situation. But at least they were not motivated by exploiting the national turmoil, and that should be recognized by consumers here who benefit from some of the lowest gas prices in the nation.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all stations in the general area, some who raised prices up to $4. We suspect consumers in those markets will remember that fact and those specific gas stations for a long time.