Show Toward Sound I In spite of o the population trend L from rural areas to large centers centeri the U 11 S department of commerce has compiled figures which reveal revea that communities with less than that m inhabitants together with unincorporated rural areas still have about 60 CO per cent of o Americas America's Americas Ameri Amen cas ca's population Towns of less than have bave 57 per cent of all the retail out out- outlets lets and account for 43 per cent of the total retail sales These facts emphasize the importance of retail ers eis in areas outside ou big cities During the war the nations nation's in dependent merchants in small com corn as well as those in metro metro- metropolitan politan centers did a remarkable job in helping to keep Americas America's I vital distribution system working smoothly in the face of severe war war- wartime time tune handicaps which included shortages of help and supplies and an excess of government regula regula- In addition to taking care of the needs of customers the retailers gave generously of their time and effort fort to back up all patriotic en en- endeavors deavors such as salvage drives war chest and war bond campaigns Now that their war job is done they the are striving to do equally well vell in helping America progress to to- toward ward vard sound economic recovery ery They TIley will do a creditable peace- peace peacetime peacetime time tune job if given the full support of their communities a a support which must consist not only of a buy at bu policy polie by b local resi resi- residents residents dents but must also include the aid of civic governments in keep keep- keeping keeping ing local business taxes at a min mm- min Heavy Hea out town buying or heavy taxation will seriously handi liandi cap independent American business is i only as sound as the individual es Cs comprising it And these enter enter- enterprises to a large extent are only as s sound as the support and co operation of their communities timers them |