Show AN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY th the manpower problem in retailing is becoming critical experienced person ned have been lost to ana ahalt to defense industries and through enrollment in the the armed forces in the field of tood food tor for example the present turnover of manpower man is approximately ten per cent per week bierch ants anis generally have accepted the situation uncomplainingly but it now becomes obvious that unless the federal government acts to prevent further inroads american retailing may not be able to weather the storm and efficient distribution of food as well as other necessities may collapse thus tar far the government has failed to recognize the essential part our mer play in putting necessities into the hands of consumers it seems to have overlooked the fact that without the cooperation of the retailers price and rationing centols would be completely demoralized and more important morale on the home front which depends to a great degree on the availability of th civilian sinews of war supplied by the merchant would suffer a serious setback A breakdown in the field of distribution would be ba as grave as a breakdown in production because mass distribution has become the handmaiden of mass production neither is efficient unless supplemented by the other it should be clear that food production processing and distribution rank with armament in importance these functions should be recognized by the war manpower commission as essential and provision should be made to keep expert men inen on their jobs ja n these activities avilure to recognize this problem and to provide a solution tor for it will have serious repercussions which could be averted by clear thinking and common sense planning by government officials |