An e-mail arrived last week from a reader who questioned the reason for skyrocketing gasoline prices.

He mentioned that his house sits next door to a gas station that closed at noon on Sept. 11, having placed bags on each pump, apparently to show no supplies. The next morning the station opened for business, bags gone, gas being pumped but at a 15 percent premium. Having seen no fuel truck arrive to replenish supposedly empty tanks, the writer was led to conclude that the closure was for nothing more than to be able to charge higher prices.

His e-mail asked for a list of gasoline stations that copied his North Georgia neighbor so “I could take my business to reputable suppliers. I don’t think I am alone.”

The latest fuel frenzy brought back memories of 1973 when Arab nations cut off oil supplies to nations that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War between Israel and Syria, Egypt and Iraq.

There were gas lines at stations throughout America. There was rationing.

For six months, the shortages remained.

Cars with odd-numbered license plates went to the pumps on odd-numbered days of the month; even-numbered went on even days.

The first fuel efficiency standards for vehicles were passed by Congress. Speed limits were lowered on interstates to 55 miles per hour. Some states introduced colored flags (somewhat similar to our colorized terror alert system now) to indicate fuel availability.

Congress even toyed with alternative fuel sources to relieve our dependence on foreign oil, only to lose interest when supplies returned and pressure from the American public waned. The scenario feels similar to today’s congressional mandate to solve our foreign oil dependency.

For gasoline consumers now, there was puzzlement as prices skyrocketed, pumps went dry and oil futures fell close to $90.

If one is able to create a panic from a notice that a hurricane may (emphasis on “may”) cause disruption of oil shipments, leading to supposed shortages and steep prices, then the world is an oyster for others who furnish necessary supplies during times of anticipated natural calamities.

Think what those who are in the milk delivery system could do; some believe it already occurs.

The weather bulletin is issued of an impending snowstorm (size does not matter) in a city well below the Mason-Dixon line.

A local radio host sounds the clarion call: “Snow is on its way. We may be holed up for an hour or so.”

Milk producers bring their dairy cows out of the fields for fear that they may be covered by falling white stuff.

Grocery stores are told that supplies are limited and there may be a cutoff at the cows’ well heads.

Panic sets in, prices go up. The storm passes, prices go down slowly and life is once more in balance.

There is a lot to learn by starting a panicky rumor.

In the future, you, the consumer, can “just say no” until the sky actually falls.

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