EDITIORIAL

DAVID CUTLf,R editor- publisher

70 Going For 100

Ir HIS BEING the 70th anniversary issue of Ifte I Merchant Magazine, it seems an appropriate moment to tell you some of our plans for the future and to relate briefly how we got to this point.

As we are believers in basics and in product evolution, not revolution, don't look for any radical departures from our format that readers tell us is of interest and benefit. What we will do is expand and build upon the positives of the past 70 years. Sharpeyed readers will note we have already begun the use of a clearer, more easily read type face. Lookfor more color in the future as we continue to make our layouts easy and quick to read. Time is short for all and we're working to get the maximum information to you in the quickest way.

Objectivity is our goal in handling all news. The only advocacy you'll find is on this page or in bylined articles The M e r c hant Mag azine simply does not take sides in relating news; we strive to be balanced, fair and impartial. We're very proud of the news firsts and exclusives we've racked up in our first seven decades. But, unlike some other publications, we'll never rush to print a story we haven't fully checked out. If full information isn't available, we'd rather sit on the story for another month until all facts can be verified than violate our readers' trust or do anything that would harm this great industry we serve.

As forthe so-calledbattle ofhome centers versus lumberyards, we don't take sides in that dispute or in any other. Our goal is to fully and fairly cover what's going on to the best of our ability. We're well aware that our readers are very smart people who want the facts so they can make up their own minds.

Above all else, we want to expresshowmuchwe appreciate the enthusiastic support and participation of our readers and advertisers in making Zfte Merchant Magazine the success it is.

Please let us know how we're doing and how we can do an even betterjob of serving you.

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