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Show - COMMENTS , WE LIVE IN HOPE There are indications that good news is in the otfiiur for civilians. The retail distribution industry may be reliev- t-d ol some of the voluminous regulatory red tape which is now hampering operation. This means, if it actually occurs, that merchants can spend more time meeting the needs of ' customers, and less time filling out government blanks. It i would also mean that the regulatory authorities are begin- ing to realize that a smooth functioning of retail distribution j system -is essential in these critical days. In recent months, the problems of distribution have appeared, ap-peared, to grow to proportions that actually threatened, a I breakdown in the movement of necessities to consumers, Re- tailcrs have warned officials that the steady drain of key em- ployes by the military services and war industries, and my workable price and rationing controls, must be corrected. If streamlined operating rules for the merchant are ac-' ac-' tunlly in the making, they will not have come'1 a moment too soon. The next step should be prompt clarification of the draft status of key employes. The merchants, the farmers and the business men will give everything they possess if need be to win the war. But if their efforts are to succeed, government must give, too It must be cooperation and control. |