This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 12th day of April, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [257], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [257] ..., N.Y., and all his business associations; especially Edw. Ridgway of Skandia Furn. Co. of Rockford, Ill. - whose residence is room or apt. 737, Faust Hotel, Rockford; also the Mersman group in Celina, O., and the American Furn. group in Martinsville, Va. You will advise [257] as to his best procedure to build a successful business now, and how to develop his various interests in Brunswick contract field and general furniture. Then you will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [257]; this we have had before.
3. As to manners and means of developing the better and greater business associations and connections, we find that these have been indicated again and again as developments have progressed.
4. Now that there are the opportunities for connections to be had with Skandia Furniture Company, then this connection with Ridgway should be considered or analyzed from every angle, and applied in the experience in the ways as we have heretofore indicated.
5. Because there are opportunities for greater expansion at once, it should not be forgotten that those other associations and connections furnished ways and means for the carrying on to the present conditions and standings.
6. Thus, they are to be given due consideration in their place and in the spheres of activities. While it is true that changes must and will come, they are not to be neglected nor passed over lightly - those associations, see?
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) Is the plan of Ridgway progressing in the Skandia plant sufficiently to get business from G.E. in April or May?
   (A) In May for later delivery, yes.
9. (Q) What else should be done by Ridgway and me to prepare the plant for large business in April, May and rest of the year?
   (A) Just those things indicated heretofore as needs to meet the conditions as they arise.
10. (Q) Is the lumber source in B'ham - Mr. L. Chinnock of 2813 Highland Ave., Room 510 Allmont Apt. - a good reliable source for gum and mahogany lumber?
    (A) To a certain extent, yes. An unlimited supply, no.
11. (Q) Will he ship all the 1,000,000 feet he has sold us?
    (A) As is needed.
12. (Q) Should I buy 1,000 acres of timber lands near Chattanooga, Tenn., recommended by Chinnock, at $1 per acre?
    (A) These are very good considerations, but there should be the considerations by those expert in preparing same for the passage or for use, see?
13. (Q) Is this a good lumber investment for future security of the [257] family?
    (A) As just indicated; if there is a way made accessible for the delivery - or for getting same out, yes. Without that, not security.
14. (Q) Is Robt. Bahr & Chas. Geyh of the G.E. of Bridgeport ready now to place business in Skandia plant?
    (A) As indicated, in May - not in the present, save what might be called feelers.
15. (Q) Should I follow idea of Ridgway and associate Boheim of Chicago to prepare a set up to promote a merger in Brunswick with Skandia and Garod Radio?
    (A) As indicated, while there have been some considerations of connections or merger in other directions, these as we find might be considered and then compared one as against the other.
16. (Q) Advise how and where best to set this up.
    (A) Chicago.
17. (Q) What banking group best to work thru, - Chicago or N.Y.?
    (A) As indicated.
18. (Q) Will Skandia and I be successful with Lyle Johnson of Gamble stores in Minneapolis to build cabinets for them?
    (A) Eventually; not at first; yes, be successful.
19. (Q) Would Gamble Skogmo have a good place in the merger plans of Ridgway and me?
    (A) As we find, this would take time to be developed. Might eventually be brought about, but it would take time.
20. (Q) When best month to put stock on the market?
    (A) This is rather pre; that is, it is presuming too much to be able to answer. Depends upon the manner in which it is set up and many other conditions.
21. (Q) What future may I expect in my Skandia association?
    (A) This, too, will depend upon how set up. It must be in the proper way and manner as has been indicated should be policies of the body. Do not forget first principles.
22. (Q) Should I make gun stocks for the army in Skandia plant?
    (A) If this work can be obtained, by all means do so - for better connections, associations and activities!
23. (Q) What should I do now to make myself invaluable to Ridgway and Skandia?
    (A) Rather might it be reversed; for they need you and your abilities and activities more than you need them! But the attitude should be, to be sure, one of wholehearted cooperation - if the connection is to be made.
24. (Q) As to Gamble-Skogmo Co., Lyle Johnson of Minneapolis, Minn., in what way could this association be developed for mutual advantage of Brunswick, Skandia and Gamble?
    (A) As just indicated, it is well for these individuals - as a cooperative plan.
25. (Q) How can Lyle Johnson work out merger of consolidation to use our Radio and Brunswick name?
    (A) This would require some considerations with other associations that already exist. But if there is the wholehearted cooperation for a closer association or merger, then this will offer channels or grounds upon which such may be carried on.
26. (Q) What may I do to further this relationship?
    (A) Just keep in that same attitude of not overextravagance in the prospects or abilities of any of the groups, but working in the same way and manner as the policies have been outlined for the body.
27. (Q) Or would it be better thru Weisburgh who also is very friendly with the organization?
    (A) Should be a cooperative thing.
28. (Q) Or is it better for Brunswick to operate alone, and just sell to Gamble as a customer?
    (A) This may depend upon other operations or corporations, as to the desire or need for the outlet of the association with the Skandia Company. You are overlapping other questions here. Consider them either as a whole or as separate.
29. (Q) What future can I develop with the Western Auto Supply Co., Mr. Alex Flemington of Kansas City, Mo., as a customer of Skandia?
    (A) This will depend upon a great deal of the associations and abilities of the Skandia Company to supply the character of products as distributed through the Western Auto. These, of course, will require time, and working on a very close margin.
30. (Q) Can I work with Skandia, Mersman and American at the same time?
    (A) We do not find that Skandia and Mersman would work so close together, but don't forget that the others have carried the associations and connections through to thus far. Changes are being made in the personnel and in the policies of Mersman, thus offering the opportunity for a change to the body; but don't forget! For, he that is unappreciative is worse than the infidel!
31. (Q) Which should I give up, if any?
    (A) As indicated. Do not give up the American Furniture Company! For the policies there are needed for a balance to be kept this body in his business connections and associations!
32. (Q) What should my relationship be with Mersman Bros., since they want to change plan of operation?
    (A) As just indicated, this will depend upon what is to be the future policy and what is the determining as to the connections with the Skandia Company.
33. (Q) Should I cut off Mersman in June and put all cabinets in Skandia for Brunswick?
    (A) This will depend entirely, to be sure, upon what is decided as to the future associations and connections. Remember the first premise as indicated.
34. (Q) Will Skandia be as good a source of supply as Mersman for Brunswick and G.E. as well?
    (A) It can be MADE so. As has been first indicated, under the present situations - no. It can be made so.
35. (Q) Will I get business from G.E. for Mersman this year?
    (A) As we find, it CAN be gotten. Whether it will be or not will depend upon the manner in which it is handled.
36. (Q) Should I still try to make financial deal on Mersman with Manufacturers Trust Co. or should I operate the Skandia and put my whole mind and effort back of Skandia?
    (A) This is to be as has been indicated. Each set up - that is, let the Scandia proposition be set up. Then draw the comparisons. And if there is the ability to work as well with the new managements in the Mersman factory, then consider it seriously. If there is not, then opportunities are offered with the Skandia Company through which there may be the individual activities for the associations and connections.
37. (Q) Will I get 40% of Skandia stock as Ridgway promises?
    (A) If the situation is carried through, yes. If it is to be straddled, no.
38. (Q) On what basis and what cost?
    (A) This will depend, surely, upon the manner in which the cooperation is to go through.
39. (Q) Is Peter Nordby, the Supt. at Skandia, a reliable, honest and competent builder of Radio Cabinets and furniture?
    (A) Best to test and then draw own conclusions, rather than seeking through other channels to analyze individual personality or characteristics.
40. (Q) Should Skandia continue on furniture as well as Radio cabinets?
    (A) It must, if it is to be a complete unit or organization.
41. (Q) Please review my activities in past 15 days on my trips and advise and recommend as to my accomplishments and errors, for my future guidance.
    (A) Just do not be over optimistic. Do not lay out too great plans, for you may be well matched with Ridgway!
42. (Q) Have I handled myself to the satisfaction of Ridgway?
    (A) There's a question mark.
43. (Q) What is the feeling or desire of association between Ridgway and me, and Ridgway to me?
    (A) Analyze self and you will find the answer - in connection with these - these are very good - they can be made to work or coordinate together, see?
44. (Q) How successful can we be, and what heights can we - together - reach?
    (A) Depends upon what is the policy as set forth. If it is to gouge, not very far for very long. If it is to be honest in the product, delivery, or the policy as so often outlined, you may go far. Virtue is its own reward, and this applies to business as it applies to relations with individuals.
45. (Q) Having made contact with G.E., Emerson, Gamble and Western Auto of Kansas City, should I try to take on more business or more accounts? or are these sufficient to cover needs of factory?
    (A) Sufficient if you are able to control the greater part of the needs of these organizations. And this may be answered according to the abilities of all to handle the situations.
46. (Q) Can or should I continue to represent American Furniture Co.?
    (A) As indicated, you need the American Furniture more than the American Furniture needs you! especially as to policies!
47. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 3/25/41 He obtained 257-230 on his health and business.
2. 4/09/41 He submitted further questions.

REPORTS

1. 4/15/41 He referred 2490-1.
2. 5/17/41 He obtained 257-232.
3. 6/28/41 His sec'ty Mrs. [189] wrote: "Attached herewith are some questions that Mr. [257] is asking for a Physical Reading. I also am attaching a check for $20.00. Wish I could make it more. We sure are going to have a struggle to make up the difference in the "American" income which we have lost. And now with Mr. [257]'s health I worry so much about his working the way he used to in order to line up enough to keep us going. I believe with the proper guidance he might be able to make this Arthurdale proposition work out to the benefit of all of us. I feel at this moment, though, that he has gotten hold of something but does not quite know what to do with it and therefore it is so important for him to have a good business reading with complete guidance. If this plan is properly worked out at this factory, it will mean so much for all of us who depend on Mr. [257]'s success for ours. Because you know wherever Mr. [257] goes, there goes "Cayce" and there go I."
4. 6/30/41 He obtained 257-234 on health and business.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation