There’s No Mystery About High Gas Prices

What’s the mystery about high gasoline prices (“State’s Drivers May See Lower Gasoline Prices Just Around the Corner,” April 15)? The public has been ripped off again by the oil industry’s selling Alaskan oil to Japan.

American taxpayers were induced to support development of Alaskan oil with the understanding that it was to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Arco was the biggest developer of Alaskan oil and consequently able to keep state gas prices to a competitive level.

The industry found that answer--get Japan to bid up the price and reduce supplies. The oil industry and the media said Japan’s effect on prices would be negligible. The prices jumped well over 15%. The situation stinks.

ALTON J. AMDAHL

Hacienda Heights