Downtown

P:Up 1-c- a pack went the "15-c-" brands of cigarets last week-- from 10 1/2-c- to 11 1/2-c-. For once the price change was not the work of American Tobacco's George Washington Hill. This time it was retailers, long-suffering non-combatants in the war between makers of "15-c-" brands and the makers of "10-c-" brands (which were boosted to 10 1/2-c-).

Schulte, United Cigar, Liggett and most small dealers joined in the price-upping, hoped that Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. would see fit to follow. Tobacco men believed that the move had at least the tacit approval of Mr. Hill who, believing he has the 10-centers licked, is reported to be pondering a boost in the wholesale price.

P:Down from 3-c- to 2-c- a gallon went the premium on ethyl gasoline last week.

P:Irked by the fact that gasoline in his State has jumped from 12-c- to 22 1/2-c- a gallon in the past month, Governor Martin of Washington filed suit against 17 oil companies last week, challenging their right to do business in the State, charging them with conspiracy in forming a monopolistic pool and demanding the appointment of a receiver to take over their Washington properties. Included" in the charge were Standard Oil of California, Richfield, Shell, Texas Corp.

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