Show Rural Stores Show I Increase In Sales V WASHINGTON August WASHINGTON August sales of general merchandise merchandise in small towns and rural areas were 17 percent greater than in July and 5 G percent greater than August last year the Commerce Department Department Department Depart Depart- ment reported In the Far West such sales were 33 percent above the 1933 level leveland leveland leveland and percent greater than in July In the South the respective gains were 15 and 15 percent respectively vely |