Marston Corporation manufactures disposable thermometers that are sold to hospitals through a network of independent sales agents located in the United States and Canada. These sales agents sell a variety of products to hospitals in addition to Marston's disposable thermometer. The sales agents are currently paid an 18% commission on sales, and this commission rate was used when Marston's management prepared the following budgeted absorption income statement for the upcoming year. Marston Corporation Budgeted Income Statement Sales 33,000,000 Cost of goods sold 17,500,000 Variable Fixed 2,720,000 20,220,000 Gross margin 12,780,000 Selling and administrative expenses Commissions 5,940,000 790,000 Fixed advertising expense Fixed administrative expense 3,500,000 10,230,000 2,550,000 Net operating income Since the completion ofthe above statement, Marston's management has learned that the ndependent sales agents are demanding an increase in the commission rate to 20% of sales for the upcoming year. This would be the third increase in commissions demanded by the independent sales agents in five years. As a result, Marston's management has decided to investigate the possibility of hiring its own sales staff to replace the independent sales agents. Marston's controller estimates that the company will have to hire eight salespeople to cover the current market area, and the total annual payroll cost of these employees will be about $620,000 including fringe benefits. The salespeople will also be paid commissions of 10% ofsales. Travel and entertainment expenses are expected to total about $370,000 for the year. The company will also have to hire a sales manager and support staff whose salaries and fringe benefits will come to $140,000 per ear. To make up for the promotions that the independent sales agents had been running on behalf of Marston, management believes that the Company's budget for fixed advertising expenses should be increased by $460,000