This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of [257], ..., N.Y., this 22nd day of November, 1936, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [257], Active Member of the Ass''n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [257], Harry Baum and wife.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 12:55 to 1:20 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York City.
1. GC: Entire situation of the Paris Medicine Co. of St. Louis, Mo., as concerns the deal as handled by [257] present here, and the final contract entered into between all parties concerned and the legal representative Harry Baum present here, also the association of these two, Buder & Buder of St. Louis, Sen. Jas. Reed of Kansas City, Olvaney, Eisner & Donnelly of N.Y., & Isasc Lande also of N.Y., & the legal procedure documents & preparation that have been made as the presenting of all facts & evidence at St. Louis, on Dec. 8th at the trial. You will direct us as to any additional information which may guide us in properly presenting this case. The defendants include Isaac Orr of St. Louis, Union Trust, Fordyce, Holliday & White, represented by Mr. Hartman & Holliday & Fred Seely of the estate. After you have reviewed and directed us, you will answer the questions which we will submit.
2. EC: Yes, we have those conditions, those circumstances, the activities thus far in regards the contracts and deals as entered into by the officers and those in charge of affairs of Paris Medicine Company, [257] and the legal representations.
3. All of these, or in part, we have had before.
4. We find while there have been the preparations of the case, or the papers in the case, and while there has been much consideration given to all phases of it, the first move that is to be defended by Buder & Buder, and Reed, is that owing to the changes in the status at the time of the contract, these not being fulfilled, there is no consideration due [257] - and a move for a dismissal. This will be, to be sure, the first move.
5. That is the reason it is so necessary, as has so oft been indicated, that all facts pertaining to the manner and way in which contracts were drawn and given and were to be carried out and that are a part of the situation be presented to Reed and Buder; that they be acquainted with
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every one of these facts, that there may be no stepping aside.
6. For the way this has been prepared, as we find, if it comes to the presenting of the evidence, there will be a sure case of more than half the amount sought.
7. In preparing then that for the individuals who are to present same, as an individual has been approached, as there have been considerations of many of the phases of the conditions that surrounded the agreements that are a part of the whole proceedings, these should be a matter of record even before this is called. Not possibly as a deposition, but these have been completed as to not the whole facts that may be presented to the trial attorneys, see?
8. Ready for questions.
9. (Q) Will the defendants propose a settlement? (A) These as we have found, and as has been intimated, are being seriously considered. And there will be a move if there is not the ability or if there is not able to be made a dismissal from the first presentation, for a delay of a day, or two at least owing to the necessity of certain individuals to be recalled from other places for a recess for a few days, to delay, to give opportunity for this very condition to be considered.
10. (Q) If the defendants do not propose settlement, should [257]'s lawyers propose it? (A) As has been given, you either have a case or you haven't a case. Then if you have the case, which as we have given you HAVE - if all the conditions are considered, do not jeopardize same in any way. Because, to be sure, there will be presented the very fact that there has been (and there will be witnesses to prove same) the attempt of [257] to approach others, even since then, to try and sell the business. And this will be attempted to be set as an indication that [257] himself does not feel that he already has a commission in the case. Yet this should have nothing to do with the conditions but all of these must be met with the whys and wherefores, even by those who have proposed to [257], who are of the defense and a portion of same or representative of same, WHY such was done.
11. (Q) If the action is settled, will it be before, during, or after trial? (A) This depends upon circumstances. But as we find, the conditions will be as has been indicated. If they are not able to have it set aside, with their presentation at first, there will be asked for time for individuals and during that time the propositions will be made.
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Then whether it's before or during or how, depends upon circumstance.
12. (Q) For what amount should [257] settle? (A) We haven't changed from that as has been given. At least be for himself as an individual seven hundred and fifty thousand.
13. (Q) Are there any obstacles in the way of a settlement? (A) There are no obstacles in the way as we find, for even as to this, some of these have agreed to that; yet as has been given for [257], there must be the consideration of all the attorneys' fees, all the expenses that each and every individual has had associated with same, and these must be taken care of.
14. (Q) Is the data which we are taking with us to St. Louis complete? (A) As has been indicated, the only thing that we find, there should be more complete data as to the actual transaction, which as we find is through those individuals through which there has been given that. Greater consideration should be given as to their testimony - Lande!
15. (Q) What should [257]'s attorneys do in further preparation for trial? (A) Only that as has been indicated.
16. (Q) What should Lande now add to the situation himself to complete this? (A) Either in person be present or the full and complete data. [Through his assistant, Harry Baum.] Of course, the more preferable is to be present.
17. (Q) Is there anything to prevent him from being present now? (A) Only his own physical condition. This, of course, may be changed or it may be altered; but these are individual problems and not in here.
18. (Q) When should the lawyers go to St. Louis for the trial? (A) At least a day or two days before the actual call of the case.
19. (Q) Should Lande and [257] go to Kansas City right away to see Reed? (A) Best is to have Reed meet them in St. Louis!
20. (Q) When? (A) 5th to 6th of December.
21. (Q) Are the St. Louis attorneys fully prepared for trial? (A) They are prepared to delay if possible. That's their greater preparation. For they scarcely know all that is to be presented.
22. (Q) Will two days before the trial give them enough time to prepare?
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(A) Two should be sufficient with the data they have.
23. (Q) Should [257]'s trial counsel in St. Louis be given full discretion and latitude, or should his N.Y. attorneys insist upon adoption of their suggestions and advice? (A) So long as these are in accord with rules and regulations in Missouri commonwealth, then these are all correct. But as has been indicated from the beginning, the considerations from ALL are going to be as to what Jim Reed does about it!
24. (Q) Will he personally conduct the case? (A) He may be induced to, but he has left a great deal of it rather for prestige and name than for personal interest, and this may be somewhat insisted upon.
25. (Q) If the Judge requires [257] to elect upon which cause of action he will proceed, upon what theory should the case be tried? (A) That it was entered into in all good faith, the complete - and those activities, and the giving of the contract or agreement that is there, not as a sale but the buyer. Present it! This completes [257]'s interests.
26. (Q) What reason should [257] give for attempting to sell the business the second time? (A) Friendship for the defendant, or portion of same.
27. (Q) How long will the trial last? (A) How long is tomorrow? Would depend entirely upon what is moved in the first presentation, and as to how many days there may be for certain individual witnesses to be brought into court, or into those where they may be interviewed by either side, or as to how soon the attorneys on either side - and it will not be an attorney, as we find, that is in the legal status of the case, that will present the compromise. As we would expect, there is still to be a compromise and a compromise will be made or attempted to be made on this - that there will be, or agreement that there will be so much given to [257] PROVIDED he will wait for such a long distribution or within such a time will again try to sell or sell the business. And these are mighty hard propositions, and the lawyers will never see it!
28. (Q) What should [257] say about it? (A) Depends on how much faith [257] has in himself and those connected or that may be prospective buyers. We would not accept it in that way, because if they get to that portion of it then he will get at least his pro-rata of that as has been indicated.
29. (Q) Will [257] be permitted to testify concerning the conversation with Edwin Grove, Jr.? (A) It can be insisted upon, especially by Lande to verify
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his statements that he would make concerning same.
30. (Q) Will Lande be permitted to testify? (A) Without it you haven't much case!
31. (Q) Is Holliday ready to testify? (A) Ready to testify and not ready to testify, for he is one of the factors that wants to settle some other way.
32. (Q) When will he arrive from England? (A) This will be rather as has been, held in readiness. He's been kept out on purpose and may be brought back on purpose, see?
33. (Q) Anyone else coming back with him? (A) We are getting a long way from St. Louis! Which do you want to know, about St. Louis or the minds of these men? St. Louis.
34. (Q) Should we expect any surprise witnesses for the defense? (A) There may be the attempt of some that are outside, but these may be quickly settled as only hearsays, not knowing.
35. (Q) How many witnesses will the defendant produce and who will they be? (A) About three. Holliday, Orr, Seely.
36. (Q) What witnesses should testify for [257]? (A) The principal, to be sure, is Lande, and [257], and the presenting of those that drew the contracts and agreements, and where they were held.
37. (Q) What is best manner to prepare to meet evidence which defendants will produce? (A) In the manner as has been first indicated.
38. (Q) Should [257] present all his evidence on his affirmative case, or will it be best to withhold part for rebuttal? (A) This depends, of course, upon the course the case takes, and this may be judged best by the trial attorneys, see? And that's one of the reasons why it would be very well for [257] and Lande to be with Reed before the presentations of same, to review the whole of the conditions; as well as, naturally, those who have prepared all the papers.
39. (Q) What part of [257]'s case should be held in reserve for rebuttal? (A) The actual conversations with the individuals who made the contracts.
40. (Q) For whom will Ellery Mann testify? (A) For [257].
41. (Q) Will it be advisable to introduce testimony by McRoberts? (A) McRoberts' testimony would be just as much against as for, until it has reached certain stages. But as we find, these will not be necessary - but if necessary have them in readiness.
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42. (Q) Will it be necessary for accountants to testify, and if so are they prepared? (A) They are prepared, and they are prepared to give a very unusual report which must be checked with that as was given [257] at the time.
43. (Q) Which of [257]'s lawyers in N.Y. should accompany him to St. Louis for the trial? (A) This depends upon the interests of the various individuals in same. This had best be selected by Lande.
44. (Q) Will it be necessary for my wife [903] to go to St. Louis? (A) She will have to be where she can be on call.
45. (Q) Will the Judge require testimony of the reasonable value of [257]'s services? (A) This will be prima facie evidence, in the manner or in the price of the contract and of the agreement that so much was to be given [257]. This is prima facie evidence.
46. (Q) Will the letter of Oct. 10th be admitted in evidence? (A) We're presuming a great deal as to reaching certain stages for this to be necessary. This will with objections be presented, if it reaches those stages.
47. (Q) How should [257] explain this letter if questioned? (A) Keep it open and aboveboard, just as it happened, just as it came about.
48. (Q) Will the law of N.Y. or of Missouri, or of any other place be held to govern [257]'s rights? (A) Missouri! That's where it's being tried!
49. (Q) Are the defendants' counsel genuinely optimistic about the merits of the defense, and if not, what are their views about the merits and the probable result? (A) As we find, they have tried to persuade themselves - some - that there is no case, as has been intimated by that as given as to what will be the first move. And the presenting of that will be for those very things that have been given as the reasons. Yet these must be met in the way as has been indicated, and that they have approached and are ready to approach for a compromise doesn't show very great optimism on the part of the defendants.
50. (Q) Will the trial be postponed? (A) If possible!
51. (Q) If the case is tried, what will the verdict be? (A) What a jury will do? You might as well say as to what an eagle or a serpent would do!
52. We are through for the present.