GAS-OUT BOYCOTT FELT BY DEALERS; DROP IN BUSINESS SEEN IN SOUTHLAND.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Daily News Staff Writer

Many Los Angeles motorists turned their backs on oil companies Friday for the Great American Gas-out, a one-day boycott of gasoline to protest high prices.

``In fact, I'm walking today in protest,'' said Mary Beth Haskin, 28, as she walked her dog at the Sepulveda Basin recreation area in Encino.

``This is the way to get the message across: Don't drive; don't take the bus. Use your feet - then see what the oil companies do,'' she said.

Throughout the day Friday, stations across the San Fernando Valley were fairly empty as the grass-roots cyberspace campaign gained currency among frustrated drivers and spread beyond California to drivers nationwide.

Yet oil company officials predicted the protest would not hurt business or drive down prices.

For gas station owners, including George Dekermenjian, the boycott was another blow, as they are squeezed by oil companies on one side and drivers on the other.

``It's crazy. My business is down 60 percent today. It's been down 25 percent since the prices went up,'' Dekermenjian said, searching for any sign of activity at his Encino Shell Station. ``We usually sell 6,000 gallons per day, but now we're down to about 4,000.''

It was 12:23 p.m. at Dekermenjian's Shell - usually when the station bustles with customers - but the pumps weren't pumping. The register was silent. Steam billowed from a fresh pot of coffee that's usually emptied during the lunchtime rush.

He gazed across his lot and shook his head.

``The high prices upset us, too, and the people usually get mad at us. But we have no control over it,'' Dekermenjian said.

With a gallon of gas reaching the $2-a-gallon mark in some areas, drivers say they're tired of what looks like price-fixing among the oil companies.

Attorney General Bill Lockyer is investigating allegations of price fixing and other reasons for the high prices.

Customers at local stations numbered in the handfuls instead of hundreds, but some drivers just couldn't afford to stay away from the black gold. They slinked up to the pumps out of habit or necessity.

``I think these companies are holding us for ransom, but I had to buy gas today,'' said Nicole Raymond, 29, of Encino, explaining she has to drive 100 miles out of town every weekend.

``I have stock in Alaska oil, and I could lose money, but I really feel the effects at the pump. The prices must go down,'' she said.

Still, some hadn't even heard about the gas-out.

``I wouldn't have bought today if I knew about it,'' said businessman Chris Travisano, who often drives across the country. ``The prices in California are the most outrageous I've ever seen.''

The signs of protest were visible across Los Angeles. City Councilman Joel Wachs, who spearheaded the gas-out effort locally, joined hundreds of protesters at Florence and Normandie avenues while trying to get motorists to avoid the pumps.

``We're not trying to fool ourselves. This protest won't have a big impact on the oil companies,'' Wachs' spokesman Greg Nelson said. ``But the whole idea is to start small and build momentum to where we can really have an impact.''

Some took advantage of the day to generate some publicity. A Shell station in Van Nuys partnered with KABC talk radio (AM 790) and gave away free gas throughout the evening.

``I don't know how much we will eventually give away, but I've got 20,000 gallons here,'' owner Tony Dahabrea said.

Oil companies agreed that the gas-out wouldn't have an impact on their business and would not likely produce an oversupply of fuel that would lead to lower prices.

They remained unconcerned because prices, they say, are set in a competitive market over which they have little control.

``I think the consumers are trying to say they are frustrated, and we hear that,'' said Tosco Corp. spokeswoman Julie Igo, representing the state's Unocal gas stations. C``This is a free market at work and hopefully soon prices will drop.''

Arco spokesman Richard Verches said California's driving habits and fuel consumption are too strong to be shaken.

``This protest will not drive prices down - the market will,'' Verches said. ``If drivers really want to make a difference, they should shop for the lowest-priced gasoline so the other companies will fall into line.''

California Attorney General Bill Lockyer opened an investigation into price gouging by oil companies when premium prices approached $2 after hitting a seven-year low of $1.14 in Northern California in February.

California's gas prices are usually among the nation's highest, partly because of environmental laws requiring reformulated fuel. Recent OPEC cuts in crude oil production, fires at California refineries and heavy travel during the Easter holiday combined to drive prices higher still, the oil industry claims.

The average price in California for unleaded regular self-serve gasoline is up 42 cents from last month, to $1.64 per gallon, industry analysts said.

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Photo

PHOTO Dennis Griffin of Canyon Country fills his car with free gas, as indicated by the prices on the sign in background, after a 45-minute wait at J & J Shell in Van Nuys on Friday during the Great American Gas-out. KABC-AM (790) paid for the gas for anyone willing to wait in line. Other stations in the Valley saw a marked decrease in business during the one-day gasoline boycott.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News