Wingate Company, a wholesale distributor of electronic equipment, has been experiencing losses for some time, as shown by its most recent monthly contribution format income statement:

Sales	$ 1,631,000
Variable expenses	648,100
Contribution margin	982,900
Fixed expenses	1,081,000
Net operating income (loss)	$ (98,100)

In an effort to resolve the problem, the company would like to prepare an income statement segmented by division. Accordingly, the Accounting Department has developed the following information:

	Division
	East	Central	West
Sales	$ 401,000	$ 660,000	$ 570,000
Variable expenses as a percentage of sales	50%	35%	38%
Traceable fixed expenses	$ 254,000	$ 331,000	$ 203,000

Required:

1. Prepare a contribution format income statement segmented by divisions.

2-a. The Marketing Department has proposed increasing the West Division's monthly advertising by $26,000 based on the belief that it would increase that division's sales by 18%. Assuming these estimates are accurate, how much would the company's net operating income increase (decrease) if the proposal is implemented?

2-b. Would you recommend the increased advertising?