Four states that accused the oil industry...

Four states that accused the oil industry of conspiring to create the gasoline shortage of the mid-1970s may have to pay eight oil companies court costs stemming from an adverse court ruling, attorneys said. All parties agreed to the settlement approved in Los Angeles by U.S. District Judge William P. Gray, who dismissed the states’ price-fixing suit in November, 1986. However, California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington have appealed the amount of the settlement to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal. Gray’s order approving the payment doesn’t take effect unless the companies prevail on appeal.