Towar Cotton Mills v. Abbey
Towar Cotton Mills v. Abbey
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maine. It procured authority to do business, and also for the sale
It is the claim of the plaintiff that, while the title to the real estate was in Binkhorst at the time of the levy, it in fact belonged to’the company; that its right thereto became fixed and settled by the deed from Binkhorst. This involves a consideration of the
Henry M. Tower, now vice-president and treasurer of the company, and who, at the time the contract was made, was its secretary and treasurer, testified that Binkhorst was not acting as its agent, that—
“We had a contract with him to buy our stock at a certain price below par, which was his commission for selling the stock, his brokerage or commission, and he had to give us a certain price. * * * Binkhorst was to pay us ninety for our stock. If he sold it for ninety-one, it would be up to him. He would get one per cent. If he sold it for ninety-nine, he would get nine per cent. * * *
“The Court: He had to sustain a loss if there was a loss?
“A. He had to, yes, but he was very careful to see that there wasn’t any. Ultimately there was a loss, because he did not sell off this in the lawsuit.”
He further testified that there was a parol agreement relative to such deals:
“This was an agreement to dispose of any real estate, subject to our approval, that he might take in payment of the capital stock of our company,”
and that all such deals were reported to the company. The conveyances and securities were all taken in Binkhorst’s name. He further testified:
“Mr. Binkhorst was never in our employ. We had a contract with him to sell stock. * * * When he took anything which was not cash or its equivalent, he would go on later and convert it into cash, at the best terms he could. He always had to pay us the same amount for this stock, which was in accordance witli the contract. * * * If for example, he took*698 stock, he would sell it, and then have it reissued. If it didn’t come up to the price Mr. Binkhorst took it at, he had to make good to us, under his contract. * * * The deed was for properties he had on hand in his name, to give him credit for them, at the amount he took them in at, whether they were worth that or not. We took them in at the price he figured on, and we have already got our money on two of the places now. Such properties as we have already sold, we are ahead on, and have given him credit for them against the balance outstanding. It was true on the real estate, that he was charged with the stock he sold, and was credited with what he turned back to us on it, but it was not true of everything else. He got credit for his commission. * * * We claim he owes us, and he claims we owe him. * * * We kept a book account with Binkhorst. * * * When we issued stock, we would charge Binkhorst himself, so that he would have the power to sell the stock.”
He further testified that the company procured authority from the securities commission for the sale of its stock and he knew that under such authority the company had no right to dispose of it “for anything but cash, or the equivalent of cash.” That all such sales were reported to the commission as for . cash or “under the general caption of securities.”
“Q. You say that he, where he got title to these properties that were mortgageable, would mortgage them and send the proceeds to you? And thereby the Towar Company escaped any liability on the note or mortgage, — the liability was Binkhorst’s?
“A. Yes.
“Q. You would not have the Towar Cotton Mill Company give a mortgage on these because there would be the personal responsibility on the note covered by it? That was another reason why it was convenient to have it in Binkhorst’s name?'
“A, That was it, yes.”
We agree with the trial court in the conclusion reached by him. At the time of the levy of the at
Under the record, it seems clear to -us that the plaintiff is not entitled to equitable relief.
The decree is affirmed, with costs to the defendant Abbey.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- TOWAR COTTON MILLS v. ABBEY
- Status
- Published