HAUPPAUGE, NY—Rumors have been circulating in New York and in Las Vegas that Duralee Fabrics Inc. and Robert Allen Inc. are in merger talks. Duralee President Martin Rosenberger says there are no discussions going on. Robert Allen President Philip Kowalczyk could not be reached for comment. Sometimes the ‘news’ that nothing is happening needs to be reported. This could be one of those times. Duralee is a shrewd wholesaler which has been able to leverage its assets upward without a big cash outlay. The management under Rosenberger is well regarded. Robert Allen has a mixed report card but it is substantially larger than Duralee. A cashless exchange in a merger of equals is always possible but is this the right combination?