(Q) Is the plan of renting Electric Refrigeration to the
home on the basis of ten cents (10 cents) a day a sound plan?
(A) As we find, this question may be answered both yes and
no and be correct!
There are many conditions to be taken into consideration
when such an undertaking is launched. From the standpoint
of some localities, and especially at the present time (under
the existent conditions financially throughout the country),
this would be well - and would be sound; yet when all
conditions are considered, and the activities that will be
in the changes that come, it would be better were this made
rather the combination of either rental or rental and
purchase plan. Such a plan, made into a coordinating
arrangement, will facilitate the meeting of many conditions
throughout. Consider this: When there is just the rental,
how little care is taken - and how the dependence will come
upon those that are to service such a machine throughout the
country, and throughout the period. However, if the plan
includes that it may become - after the first six months, or
the first year - the PROPERTY of the one renting, or that the
rental may apply ON the purchase price, then there is so MUCH
difference that we would find - under such a combination plan
- the service would be about one-tenth of one percent on the
general business; while under the purely RENTAL plan it would
run more than one percent. Hence, as we find, while the
rental plan might be well considering for a one year period,
and considering the depreciation that would ensue, and the
variation that would be from the servicing of same - the rate
of 10 cents a day, or $3.00 a month, would be well; provided
this may be after a given period applicable on the purchase
price at some stipulated rate. See? This, as WE find, would
be and make for a better condition, and one that could be
made more satisfactory in placing such units in various
centers, where they could be distributed into homes,
apartments and the like, even in hotels. But, consider that
on the rental basis alone - how extravagant would become the
service, of changing the service, of those movements, and
then the eventual discarding would become heavy; because
these machines would not be cared for in the same manner as
they would be were they BECOMING the property of the renter-
purchaser. The psychology of individuals, or of human
nature, must be taken into consideration in building up any
such organization.
(Q) How many years would this plan be feasible to operate?
(A) Rather, as we find, it would be better that the plan be
for the renting of the machines for - say, six months or a
year, see? and THEN the rental would be applicable in so
much extent TO the purchase price (which would be agreed upon
from the BEGINNING), see? but continue the service charge,
or the servicing of same, for at least two and a half - or
two to three years; and we will find that the service charge
will be - or the cost of service will be reduced more than
tenfold.
(Q) Is the Universal Refrigerator the best Refrigerator to
be used for rental purposes? If not, what Refrigerator is
better?
(A) As we would find, the unit and the box that may be had
from this construction would be as well or as good as may be
had for such an undertaking; for they are as near fool proof
as any of them!
(Q) What would be the average cost per year for service and
repairs to keep the Universal Refrigerator in first-class
satisfactory condition to the customer?
(A) This has been indicated. The variation in the
purchasing, eventually, and the rental continued, will make
at least tenfold difference in the servicing.
(Q) Would the cost increase from year to year?
(A) It would increase more than tenfold MORE if the machine
was rented all through the period, or the life of the unit or
refrigerator!
(Q) What states are best adapted for the operation of this
plan, especially for the start of it?
(A) Those centers that may be considered areas not too
congested, yet where the needs may be met (as ordinarily
understood, from the great amount of advertising that has
been given for this type of machine); for service is NEEDED
the greater period of time. Hence, those centers in the
middle west, the central portion of the country and the south
are the better. The demands for this character of service
are not as great in those portions where the areas are too
congested, as would be found in such centers as (illustrating
same, see?) Memphis, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cairo,
Paducah, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, Atlanta,
Jacksonville, New Orleans, Natchez, Montgomery, Mobile,
Dallas, Austin, Temple, and those territories.
(Q) Have we selected the best way to put out these
Refrigerators on a rental basis, that is, by having the
Refrigerators owned by someone locally?
(A) Better had these be owned combinationally, as is a
portion of the present CONSIDERED undertaking, see? and that
there be a percent that would be turned to the parent
organization, or that one furnishing the units through the
various channels, see?
(Q) What is the best way to find local investors to own
and operate a group of Refrigerators in the various towns
and cities on a rental basis?
(A) Go to the planned centers and, as it were, look over
the field. There is usually found in every center some
individual who has sufficient of the means, that desires to
make a certain percent. This arrangement should yield, to
each and every one so investing, anywhere from seven and a
half to twelve and a half percent on their investment.
(Q) Is the amount of commission - 5% - correct and fair to
pay for locating and selling the Refrigerators to the local
investors?
(A) This is very good, but - as we will find, for the
beginning or the starting of such - the body, this body,
this individual who has conceived these plans, and who is
in part fostering them, would be best to begin with these,
and then SELECT individuals in the various centers, the
various states, or various divisions as they may be
classified from such centers, from which shipments might be
made, or from which there might be the centralization and
supplying of this, that or the other portion of the
territory, in the service, or in the repairs.
(Q) Should we include the freight or delivery charges in the
price quoted to the local investor, or should we quote the
price in such a way that he pays the charges separately?
(A) As indicated, this will depend upon the manner in which
this is to be conducted, see? as to whether there are those
conditions in such a rental that there is the ownership, or
else the returns and the throwing back will so outweigh the
conditions as to make it rather a hard proposition to
consider the returns that would be made to the various
centers for re-distribution. This would become too heavy.
Hence, as to whether such charges - carrying charges - are to
be charged to the distributor, the owner, or to the
combination of both would depend upon the matter, manner or
character of contract in making the first connections.
(Q) Should we sell the Electric Clock Meter along with the
Refrigerator or should we lease the Clock Meter for $2.00 a
year per Meter?
(A) The $2.00 a year per Meter would be the better, as we
find, for these would come then with the NATURAL combination
WITH all of these, see?
(Q) We have two plans of sale - one for the Deal-owner
who buys -
(A) (Interrupting) This is as we have just been outlining,
that the combination plan would be the better, as WE find,
to be carried through throughout; for then this will make
a closer connection and a continued income to the ones
distributing - even through the various centers where they
are owned, see?
(Q) Should we adopt one size Refrigerator box or should we
offer to furnish various sizes?
(A) As we would find, the better would be to select two
sizes. One that is for the ordinary or the small family use.
Then one that would be of sufficient capacity to care for
seven to ten, to twelve, see? These TWO sizes, then, should
be the better, as we find, so that they will run the more
uniform. Then you have your prices in such a range and in
such a manner that, from the choice of the two sizes, they
will supply the various needs in the various portions of the
country.
(Q) Should we bring capital into the Elaborated Roofing
Company for the Refrigeration Division?
(A) Be well to!
(Q) Whom would we be able to interest to bring their
capital into the business?
(A) Those in the various centers where these agencies may
be established, either in cities, states or districts.
(Q) Am I in the right position in handling the general
management of this business?
(A) Very GOOD! Well-balanced! While no one may give his
very best with his interests divided, yet where the interests
are of such a nature that the application of self to one is a
rest from such strenuous portion of the activities in another
he may be said to be well-balanced. As may be seen for
individuals that work both mentally and physically, their
bodies, their minds need relaxation in what may be termed by
some as hobbies. So it is with self in such an operation,
such an activity. There may be those studies along those
lines of thought that INTEREST the body, in the interest of,
the developing of, the abilities of its fellow man through
the mental capacities and mental abilities. Just as the
health, the activity, the value of those conditions or things
that are being distributed for the benefit of a PORTION of
the household, it may be for the whole household - in the
mental activities. If the body will adjust itself, or
DEVELOP itself in such a field of mental activity, then we
will find the body may be bettered, physically mentally, and
financially.
(Q) Would I do better by managing the business from Chicago
or spending considerable time out in the field and territory,
locating salesmen and local investors?
(A) In the beginning, as we find, it would be necessary for
the body to do the latter; then the greater part of the time
may be spent in the home, or the main office.
(Q) Where would be the best place to start?
(A) In those fields that have been indicated.
(Q) Am I in the right line of business?
(A) As we have indicated, this is very well for the
balancing of the abilities of the body.
(Q) What things should I do or learn or become acquainted
with that would make me more efficient for rendering the
highest intelligent service in business, social life, home,
and in all contacts with my fellow men?
(A) This is as has been outlined. Keep self well-balanced,
and keep the body physically fit, the mental body alert, and
the spiritual body - give it an opportunity to manifest!
(Q) Should I try to sell my home and move nearer to my
present office?
(A) Eventually this would come about, but - a poor season
to sell anything!
(Q) Am I to take up public life?
(A) If so it will be in the future; we do not find those
things in the activities or in the mental surroundings that
would indicate such in the very NEAR future. This may come
with the body preparing and fitting itself FOR such an
association.
(Q) Will it involve writing or speaking, or both?
(A) That would depend upon how the TRAINING is given, or
what the activities are to be, or as to how fully such would
be delved into!
(Q) Will I carry on two careers at one time?
(A) It isn't as careers; it is rather as a working together,
a coordinating one with another. When they are made careers,
then they usually become combative one to another - but
should be coordinating influences. As the spiritual life
of the individual, this may be termed one life while the
material activities may be termed another. But, if they are
not made to coordinate THROUGHOUT - and that preached in one
direction and not lived in the activities, then - sooner or
later - one or the other must bring destructive forces. Do
not become a crank on any subject! Do not allow self to be
led entirely astray, but keep self well-balanced in the
material activities, the mental activities and mental
abilities, acquainting self with what is GOING ON in the
material world, the mental world, the social world, and using
same - not altogether for self's AD-VAN-TAGE, but that the
body may be, in its abilities in every sense, the better able
to serve and manifest - through the activities of self - that
it would worship in its inner shrine.
(Q) Who was I in previous incarnations?
(A) This may be best obtained through that information
which may be given in what has been termed or called a
Life Reading. [See
342-2 on
5/29/33.] In the one just
before this the associations were in the quartermaster
division of the army, but not the continental - rather
the royalist.
(Q) Inasmuch as I am interested in occult subjects and wish
to increase my knowledge as well as to spread the knowledge
of this work, I should be grateful for advice as to how to
become more perfect in it and whom I should know to help me
do this.
(A) The first and foremost, and the best - KNOW SELF, and
self's relation to the Maker; for this IS the beginning of
wisdom, the beginning of understanding. As to how to study
to do such, is to begin with the application of that which is
now known as relating to such subjects, such work, such
undertakings. And know that ANYTHING that is to be of value
must be LIVED day by day! And in the reading, the studying,
begin with such that is of the most elementary nature. Begin
with the psychology of the own relationships with children,
and of the home, of business, of business associations. Then
begin with the reading of, first, that which is found in that
called the Holy Book. Here, one may see self - may see
self's relationships, and know that that which was given as
the first command is as unto self. "Know, O man - " or, as
written, "Know, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE! and in
whatsoever thou doest, if His presence - the Lord's presence
be not with thee, may it not be lifted up - may YE not be
lifted up! for he that abides in Him need fear NOTHING
without. The fear that comes always begins from WITHIN.
For, if He be WITH thee, who can be against thee?
(Q) Any further advice for this body at this time?
(A) Study to show thyself approved unto Him ye would serve.
Know that the knowledge of from whence ye came, and your
trials through those experiences, is as necessary in meeting
the everyday experiences of life in the Now (for it is ever
the Now), as it is to study about wither thou wilt go. For,
Life is One, even as thy God is one - and the forces that are
active, in whether it be the material, the mental or the
spiritual life - IF CONSTRUCTIVE - EMANATE from that source.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to File
Copy to Mr. [257]
BACKGROUND
1/17/33 He submitted questions via Mr. [
257].
1/21/33 Mr. [
257]'s ltr.: "Through Mr. [
342] I met several
very prominent ... people. He is a member of the ... Club
and always invites speakers before their Club... I did not
ask Mr. [
342] to pay for his rdg. because of the amt. of work
he will do for us in ... However, I am sending you
personally a check."
REPORTS
1/24/33 EC's letter to Mr. [
257]: "I am sure that you
haven't at all times considered the difference there is in
individuals being able to make the information worthwhile
that they receive in their commercial or business readings.
You must remember that you have been studying this type of
information now for nearly twenty years. Individuals who
are sold thoroughly on the physical or mental readings, when
attempting to apply commercial readings get all balled up.
They see that there is something, but more often than
otherwise they jump at conclusions and then become very much
disappointed with the results they get. Of course, there is
a cause of this; whether we know just how or where to put our
fingers on it is hard to say. Throughout the years this has
been the result, you know. [See quote also used under
437-5
Reports.]
Now, I know a lot of these people to whom you talk regarding
these things can hardly have the same experience as yourself.
I do not know when, where or how you got hold of the proper
attitude towards information about business relations, and I
don't suppose you could ever explain it to someone else. I
am merely saying this that we may understand, that when
confusion arises in the minds of individuals who - like [
342]
- are seeking first the material aids through these channels,
they are very apt to use such information to an advantage of
someone else rather than the manner in which I am sure you
have applied it practically all your life. Your thought
hasn't been for yourself. Remember, everyone doesn't feel
the same way you feel; but more like putting themselves first
and the other fellow next."
1/31/33 Mr. [
257]'s ltr.: "Did you mail a number of
application blanks to Mr. [
342]? On this trip I will arrange
with him a definite trip to Chicago for you for lecture
purposes at so much per lecture so that while there, you
will be certain of making enough contacts to keep you busy
for several months."
4/16/33 Mr. [
342]'s ltr.: "I am sorry I did not write you
before to acknowledge with grateful thanks your rdg. and the
other material I have rec'd from time to time. The lack of
attention (seemingly) was not due to lack of interest or to
undervaluing your work but was due to a desire on my part to
get myself in shape financially to get from you a Life Rdg.
which I want very much and which I intend to ask you for as
soon as I am in financial shape to pay for it without feeling
the outgo as I would now. The proposition in which I was
engaged when Mr. [
257] sent for the information did not go
through due to lack of capital to promote it. I finally had
to give it up. I have not made a dollar since last June.
Everything has been outgo and no income. Previous to that
time for many yrs. my salary was in five figures."
5/29/33 See Life Rdg.
342-2.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation