1/27/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
WEAVER AND DRUMMOND
422 Dickson Building
Norfolk, Virginia
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York City
Dear Mr. Kahn:
We are very much impressed by the showing of progress you
have made thus far, as discussed yesterday, and we trust
that things will proceed as well in the future.
In addition to what was said yesterday, we have a few things
to suggest that might be helpful or advisable.
We understand that the Mills Novelty Company are engaged to
make a model of the machine. We think it good engineering
practise to have this model inspected by and turned out under
the supervision of our engineer, as it is essential to have
good workmanship, and the understanding of the designer is
necessary in case of refinements. To illustrate: there are
several springs which have been figured for us by the Barnes
Spring Company to perform certain functions and give correct
pressures as the weight of the cards lessens and the platform
rises. There are other coordinating units that must be right
and properly assembled.
Of course we are aware that the Mills Novelty Company has
been building vending machines for years, yet a botch job
is always possible, and would surely get us off on the wrong
foot, which is a risk none of us would care to take. As your
own experiences as a manufacturer probably tells you, factory
men are always liable to make mistakes.
An additional use for the machine which can be taken up
later is that a deal be made with some of the big industrial
insurance companies who sell small policies to the laboring
classes. These companies maintain enormous forces of "leg
men" to sell and collect for policies at five or ten cents a
week. Machines could be placed in contiguous grocery or drug
stores to do most of the collecting and the men released to
sell new business and pursue the delinquents. We could work
on a commission basis or sell or lease the machines by the
year.
We understand the Metropolitan has about thirty of these men
in Norfolk alone. Each has what is known as a "debit", or
group of several hundred he has to visit each week collecting
a few nickels from each. In larger centers they employ
vastly more men.
Elbert Hubbard said "It is not what we know, but what we need
to be reminded of, that does us good, and in that spirit,
we are enclosing our original forecast of the possibilities
of the machines as made up when we first began work on it.
There may be some points in this that would be helpful to
you.
Another suggestion comes to us at this time: If a machine
is located in the New Yorker, a line on the bottom or face of
the card might read "I am stopping at the NEW YORKER." If in
a Standard Oil Filling Station: "I am using STANDARD gas and
oil." This could be carried out indefinitely, perhaps at a
profit, or a saving in percentage pain to the owner of the
location.
To repeat the suggestions made yesterday:
(I) Prizes may be offered to school children for the best
composition on the benefits we offer. The prizes should
be big enough to induce every school superintendent in the
country to announce it in his school. A college education
to the best and lesser prizes in each locality.
(II) A key letter may be printed on each card, each
different, but when put together to spell the work "POLICY",
and a prize awarded for the series. In this plan, only a
certain number of one of the letters is issued. This would
encourage buyers to collect cards.
(III) A specially colored card or two might be placed in each
machine. The person buying the card would get his insurance
coverage, and in addition be paid $10.00 for the card by
the Home Office. A man winning a card would surely tell
the world about it.
Now to take up a rather disagreeable subject; which we have
already explained to Mr. Cayce:
You told us not to hold back anything, but to put all of
our cards on the table; therefore we wish to explain that in
developing this proposition we have spent what to us at this
time is rather a large sum of money, as most of our resources
are tied up in non-producing real estate. Our financial
position is therefore rather strained, and as we have
obligations which must be met, it will be necessary for us to
have a few thousand dollars so that our minds may be clear to
be on the job to help put this proposition over.
Now do not misunderstand us; we do not want YOU to put up
one cent, and as a matter of fact you have already spent
considerable in traveling etc., which should be refunded
to you promptly.
No doubt you can arrange it so that a comparatively small
amount can be paid to us out of the first available funds
to clear up this situation.
We will then be ready to go to New York, Chicago or elsewhere
and work with you in every way.
An expression from you will be appreciated.
With kindest regards and best wishes, we are,
Yours cordially, Weaver & Drummond
[signed] J. F. Drummond
Copy to Mr. Cayce
2/09/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York City
Dear Mr. Kahn:
Mr. Weaver and I are awaiting with considerable interest, to
hear from you regarding the progress you are making, and will
certainly appreciate your keeping us informed.
Mr. Cayce reports he hasn't heard from you since you left
the Beach, but assures us we will have some word from you
shortly, especially since we expected you back here by the
7th. inst. at latest.
You will of course realize that we are not urging you to make
undue speed in the matter, but certain circumstances make us
anxious to keep in touch with the situation at all times if
possible.
Therefore we will certainly appreciate advices from you as
often as possible.
With best wishes and kindest regards, we are,
Cordially, Weaver and Drummond
J. F. Drummond
Copy to Mr. Cayce
3/13/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
WEAVER AND DRUMMOND
422 Dickson Building
Norfolk, Virginia
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York City
Dear Mr. Kahn:
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter and order to
The Whaley Aircraft & Engineering Co., and same was turned
over to them yesterday. As the writer told you over the
telephone, they had already started on the machine.
Mr. Whaley appreciated very much your nice letter, and your
assurance that he will be given the opportunity to figure
with us in large quantities, and this will no doubt
influence him in giving us a speedy and satisfactory job.
We are glad to know that you have made such successful
progress, and as you state that you will probably be down
next week, we think it would be wise for us to have a
meeting at that time, and make our plans under the assumption
that we are going to turn out a machine that will operate
satisfactorily, and you may rest assured that we are going
to do that.
If it is convenient to advise us a few days before arriving,
it will be appreciated.
With best regards from both of us, we are,
Cordially, WEAVER & DRUMMOND. BY W. W. Weaver.
3/17/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
WEAVER AND DRUMMOND
422 Dickson Building
Norfolk, Virginia
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York City
Dear Mr. Kahn:
We wish to report that Mr. Whaley is making considerable
progress with the machine. They have already out a number of
parts, and promise considerably more progress by the end of
this week.
We told him that we expect you down shortly, and he seems
anxious to have the job well under way by the time you
arrive.
We understand from your several letters that you have
everything in good shape at your end. This is the side
we have been satisfied to leave up to you, and have not
discussed thoroughly, but now we would appreciate an outline
of the basis you are working on with the insurance company,
and capital, so we may be sufficiently familiar with your
ideas to discuss them intelligently at the proper time.
This will be greatly appreciated, and carefully studied.
Awaiting a reply at your earliest convenience, we are,
with kindest regards,
Cordially, WEAVER & DRUMMOND BY W. W. Weaver.
CC to Mr. Cayce.
4/11/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Kahn:
The writer has just returned from Whaley's and is glad to
report that things are progressing splendidly on the machine.
We are now assembling the parts, and have been working more
specifically on the delivering device, which we tried out
this morning and found to give entirely satisfactory results.
By next Monday this will be set into the box, and we
have enough to show in the way of operative mechanism
to interest you whenever you can come down.
We went to see Mr. Cayce a few days ago and reported progress
to him in detail. You have perhaps heard from him.
We are doing our utmost to expedite the building of the
machine, and hope to see you whenever you can come to
Norfolk.
With very best wishes from Mr. Weaver and myself, we remain,
Cordially yours, Weaver & Drummond J. F. Drummond
4/25/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
WEAVER AND DRUMMOND
422 Dickson Building
Norfolk, Virginia
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York City
Dear Mr. Kahn:
We are progressing very satisfactorily with the machine, and
should have it in operation fully in a few days.
We should have had it done by this time, but for the
installation of the clocking devices. As we told you, the
Time Recorder people were kind enough to furnish us with the
nearest thing they had to our requirement, which is one of
their "standard" outfits.
This had to be modified by us to fit the machine, and we are
now making proper carriages and operating cams, which should
be done during the coming week.
We are going carefully on the construction, as we want it to
meet requirements, so cannot make a too hasty job of it.
You may expect to hear from us with a report shortly after
the middle of the week, by which time we will be much nearer
completion.
With kindest personal regards, we are,
Cordially yours, Weaver & Drummond J. F. Drummond
Copy to Mr. Cayce
[P.S.:] Dear Mr. Cayce:-
This is in reply to a short note from Mr. Kahn asking for a
report of progress. J. F. D.
4/28/31 DEK's letter to Mr. Drummond:
Weaver and Drummond
422 Dickson Building
Norfolk, Va.
Dear Mr. Drummond:
I note your letter of April 25th and I am very anxious to get
a-hold of this machine as quickly as possible as I have made
no arrangements for the cabinet with it until we see the
machine operate.
The people out West are getting very anxious and we must not
delay any longer than we have to.
Please rush this as quickly as possible. I will expect to
hear from you shortly after the middle of the week as to
when you expect to bring it to New York.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Cordially, David E. Kahn/BBS
4/29/31 [...]'s (?) letter to Mr. Cone:
Detroit, Mich.
Mr. S. I. Cone,
1428 Prentis Ave.,
Portsmouth, Va.
Dear Sir:-
We cut the Westinghouse worm wheel the latter part of last
week, and got by far the best wheel that has heretofore been
produced. There was no sign of any ridge or hollow, and the
finish was perfect. The Westinghouse people were very much
pleased with the job, and the Chief Engineer made the remark
that the finish was by far the best that he had ever seen on
any worm wheel.
The new housing will not be ready for about thirty days, and
I am therefore back in Detroit where I arrived last Sunday
night in connection with the work we are doing at the
Michigan Tool Company. We encountered twelve separate and
distinct snow storms on the way here but arrived safely.
We have now completed the backing off of the Mack Truck hob,
which is the first job so far as I know, that has ever been
backed off by the new principle. The new machine worked
perfectly, and we have every reason to believe that with
a hob fluted straight through the axis we can get accurate
production jobs at cost, which are not so much different
from the standard commercial straight hob.
The Michigan Tool people seem well pleased with the results
so far. We have received from the Mack truck people four
worm blanks and three sector blanks, together with one
complete housing. We expect to cut one sector some time this
week, and will then be able to ascertain the type of finish
that this hob will produce, and also ascertain the fit with
one of the worms which has already been cut.
We are going to experiment then with the grinding of both
hob and worm. Of course it is too early yet to predict how
the grinding operation will turn out. I am also conducting
certain experiments to ascertain the cutting effect of hobs
having acute and obtuse cutting edges. I am also discussing
more or less informally with the Michigan Tool Company, the
question of manufacturing in a limited way gear sets for sale
to certain concerns that are having serious trouble with worm
gears.
We have already sent you the plans of the machine which
was built here, and I will be glad if you will send me, at
the earliest convenience a photostatic copy of the general
arrangement plan which was sent you.
I am also sending you a plan showing a fixture which is used
for backing off purposes, which was omitted when the other
plans were sent you.
Sincerely yours,
5/01/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Kahn:
We saw Mr. Cayce Tuesday night and asked him to report
progress to date to you upon his arrival in New York.
We told him the International Business Machines Corporation
was sending an engineer down from Endicott, N.Y., to consult
with us on the design of a special clock to work in the
machine when we are ready to go into quantity production.
Yesterday this engineer, Mr. V. O. Sturtevant, spent the
entire day with us and went over the machine very thoroughly,
and we are pleased to say, he pronounced it mechanically
sound and efficient. He is returning, and will immediately
proceed to design the necessary mechanism, with due regard to
simplicity and economy. He thinks it would be better to have
a clock dial included on the face of the machine, and will
figure both with and without this addition.
In view of his expected visit, we decided it best to get the
benefit of his check up of our plan to adapt the temporary
stamping head to this machine before proceeding to install
it. Although this caused us to lose a day or two, it served
well to confirm our ideas by having the opinion of an expert
in this particular branch of engineering.
We realize you are anxious to get the machine out, and so are
we, and assure you we are making all the time we possibly can
with certainty, but we must have it right.
We expect our detail design to be completed tonight, and we
will begin cutting out the parts and installing them at once.
Will send you a further report within a few days.
With kindest regards, we are,
Cordially yours, Weaver & Drummond J. F. Drummond
Copy to Mr. Cayce
5/24/31 See
257-69 giving further information on automatic
vending machine.
5/29/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
44 West 77th Street,
Apartment 14 W,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Kahn:
We are very much amazed at the turn things have taken and to
say that we are disappointed expresses it mildly. Naturally
after your promise to send Mr. Whaley a check Monday without
fail, we expected things to go forward without further
delay, and now that Mr. Whaley has been put off all week he
naturally feels very much disgruntled, for which we cannot
blame him, as he has certainly tried to get along, even to
an unreasonable extent.
Monday morning he had two men working on the machine, and
supervised it himself. Tuesday, not receiving your check he
"knocked off" one man. Wednesday not receiving it, he had
one man working, part time, and Thursday still not receiving
it he stopped altogether, and this is the way the situation
now is.
We had two interviews with Mr. Cayce yesterday, and told him
our predicament, and he thinks as we do that the time has now
come for a definite understanding between us as to what we
can positively expect from you.
We have done our best to carry on since last November, a
period of seven months, in spite of the lack of financial
assistance from you, but this time cannot be extended, as we
tried to impress on you last Saturday and Sunday, and it is
an unqualified fact that unless immediate plans are made to
care for the completion of the machine and enough money to
meet our personal obligations, we shall be compelled to, and
will accept another proposition.
It will take not less than $3,000.00 to finish paying for the
machine, and to advance us sufficient money to relieve us,
and we cannot wait any longer than Saturday - June 6th -
to have this money in hand. If you are unable to raise
this money, we regret it exceedingly, but we must protect
ourselves.
This letter is not written as a threat, or a bluff, but is
a simple statement of facts. We have on numerous occasions
written you that we must have money, but these letters have
all been ignored.
We will of course reimburse you for what you have advanced
toward the machine, and also take care of Mr. Cayce.
We have the most cordial feeling toward you Mr. Kahn, and
should be very disappointed to be compelled to connect up
with others in this proposition, but we have gone as far as
possible on prospects, and must now have material evidence of
good faith, without further delay.
We think you will understand our attitude, and agree that
it is entirely reasonable and with no personal feeling, but
rather an effort to determine precisely where we stand.
Unless we have your acceptance of our requirements by Tuesday
- June 2nd - we shall assume that you cannot meet our terms
and consider the matter closed.
With kind personal regards, we are,
Cordially yours, WEAVER AND DRUMMOND
[signed] J. F. Drummond
CC to: Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
5/29/31 David E. Kahn's letter to EC:
FEDERAL WOOD PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Manufacturers of QUALITY CABINETS
Executive Offices
419-421 Lafayette Street
New York, N.Y.
Mr. Edgar Cayce
115 West 35th Street
Virginia Beach, Va.
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Dear Judge:-
I have been away and was unable to get the check out as I
promised because of the fact that I was not in my office to
sign same. You will note the checks were made out on May
27th so I am sending the check to you to deliver to Mr.
Whaley personally. He told me he stopped work on it Thursday
night because he had not received the check. I wired him
the check would not be mailed until Thursday and wrote him
on Monday as I dictated the letter over the telephone to Miss
Sidelman. I wish you would keep after him as strongly as
you can, to get the machine ready by the 6th as I am writing
today to Chicago to have Mr. Emerich meet me at Virginia
Beach. As soon as you see the machine, wire me as to whether
you believe it advisable to have Mr. Emerich meet me at
Virginia Beach. If you believe not, then I will wire him
and cancel the trip for him.
Please have Gladys send me a list of the people that I am to
telephone about coming down to the Beach. Please keep Friday
open as I expect to have a number of people down with me and
we may want to do something on the new development. I am
sending you two other checks, one to repay you the $100.
and the other $100. that I mentioned to you.
I hope this takes care of your affairs at the present time.
Jerome Danzig told me to remind him as soon as he gets home
as he had forgotten to mail you the check, but he will mail
it on the 16th of June.
I hope everything will be straightened out this time and you
will then be able to go forward.
Please thank Gertrude also for her courtesy to me while at
the Beach and I hope to see all of you soon.
All the family join me with love.
Sincerely, [signed] Dave
DavidEKahn/BBS
Encl.
Be certain to limit the expenditure to the price Mr. Whaley
agreed $750.00.
6/01/31 Mr. Whaleys's receipt:
WHALEY AIRCRAFT & ENGINEERING COMPANY
Princess Anne Road & Virginian Railway
Norfolk, Virginia
Received from Mr. Edgar Cayce and Mr. David E. Kahn, the sum
of $300,00 (Three Hundred Dollars) to apply on the account of
Weaver & Drummond, for experimental vending machine.
WHALEY AIRCRAFT & ENGINEERING CO.
By [signed] Edward A. Whaley Proprietor
6/08/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Dave:
The enclosed letter is written rather formally, as you may
want to show same to your people.
The machine really did work quite well when it left here,
and should not give you any trouble, but if anything serious
develops Drummond will come right out if you wire for him.
You will notice that one side of the box is screwed in, and
if you will have the porter you get to unpack same use a
screw driver and machine should slide out easily.
Please see that the time clock heads are up before operating,
and do not jerk the handle in pulling. We think it will
stand the "jerk" but want the demonstration to go off without
a hitch if possible. Be sure to pull the lever all the way,
with a steady stroke, returning it easily. Both sides should
work without any trouble.
We feel sure that you are going to "Put it over", and want
you to know that we are with you 100%, and there are really
no mechanical difficulties to overcome in making our next
machine a perfect one.
We know you realize our immediate need of funds, and we
feel quite sure that you are going to make the Chicago people
"come across" with enough to get us over this hill, and
also to reimburse you. If you can do this we know that
our success is assured.
Please keep us posted with wire or telephone.
With kind regards, we are,
Cordially, Weaver & Drummond. By
We are sending the coin device by parcel post, special
delivery.
6/08/31 Weaver and Drummond's letter to David E. Kahn:
Mr. David E. Kahn
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Mr. Kahn:
As per our wire of this afternoon we shipped the machine to
you by express, and same should arrive without fail Wednesday
morning. If it should fail to arrive on time please wire.
As we explained to you Saturday we shipped this machine today
"As Is", as you want to demonstrate it while in Chicago. Of
course you understand that it is in rather a crude state, and
needs some refinement, but the principle is O.K., and we have
gone of [over?] same carefully and know all of the defects,
and there is absolutely nothing that cannot be corrected, and
refined in our next machine.
As explained to you the time clock used is purely a "make
shift" affair just to demonstrate the principal, and the
International Time Recorder Co. have designed a clock to be
used in our next machine which they will guarantee to stamp
the card plainly with the correct time.
In our next machine it will be advisable to either to put on
another handle on the 5 cent side (you may want to make this
10 cents) or else make the shaft larger, as there is too much
twist for the size of the shaft.
However as mentioned above all of those things can be very
easily taken care of, and we are pleased to state that this
machine really serves its purpose in demonstrating that it
will deliver a policy, timed and dated upon depositing the
required coin.
This machine worked nicely when it left here, and we had
same packed very carefully, and marked so that it should
be handled carefully, and arrive in good condition.
If for any reason it should not arrive in good condition, and
does not work satisfactorily we think it would be best for
you to wire us so that our Mr. Drummond can come to Chicago,
for we want this demonstration to be satisfactory, and there
is absolutely no reason why it should not be.
Please let us hear from you at your earliest convenience.
With kind regards, we are,
Yours very truly, WEAVER & DRUMMOND. BY. WW/S
6/12/31 Statement:
WHALEY AIRCRAFT & ENGINEERING COMPANY
Princess Anne Road & Virginian Railway
Norfolk, Virginia
Weaver & Drummond
Norfolk, Va.
Terms: Cash
April 23 $262.69
" 23, 174.00
May 6, 6, 101.00
" 28, 240.50
------
778.19
May 12, Credit 100.00
June 1, " 400.00 300.00
------
$378.19
Balance of $378.19 Paid by Draft on New York, which when
honored constitutes a receipt in full for this account.
WHALEY AIRCRAFT & ENGINEERING COMPANY
[signed] B Downs
6/20/31 See
4904-3.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation