Oil Prices Approach $100

Oil prices resumed their march toward $100 Tuesday, rising to records over $98 a barrel as futures drew strength from a declining dollar,and news of refinery problems. I don't know how many people in this country really realize how much trouble the dollar is in. It is lower than any currency anywhere in the world and this is a serious situation. There is also speculation that the Federal Reserve will again cut interest rates. Heating oil futures also rose to new records. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, extended their decline at the pumps they say, but not around here. It is going up.l We paid $3.10 a gallon this morning, while we know in the larger town about 25 miles away it is $3.00. That was the highest it has ever gone in this area as far as I can remember. Our light and gas company advised us awhile back, already, that our bills for heat and lights this winter would be at least 1/3 higher than last year and that is quite a bit.