Finkelstein v. Barrett

The judgment was rendered upon plaintiff’s verified'complaint, the defendant having failed to appear. The only question to be determined upon this appeal is whether or not the cause of action set forth in the complaint was one which authorized the justice to render the judgment appealed from without proof under section 2891 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This section provides that, in an action which has *547been commenced by the service of. a summons and verified complaint, as provided by section 2936, in case the defendant fails to answer the complaint at the time of the return of the summons as provided by section 2938, he shall be deemed to have admitted the allegations as true. Section 2936 provides for the service of a verified complaint with the summons: “In an action arising on contract for the recovery of money only.” Under the allegations of this complaint does it set forth a cause of action “ arising on contract for the recovery of money only? ” The allegations are:

“ Second. That on or about the 20th day of June, 1916, at Monticello, N. Y., the plaintiff delivered to said company in good condition one package containing, twelve dozen gingham and linen children’s dresses of the value of $5.00 per dozen, $60.00 in all and the said Adams Express Co. undertook to carry for hire and deliver the said package to the plaintiff, care of M. Ginsberg, 413 East 100th Street, New York City.

“ Third. That the said Adams Express Co., has failed and refused to deliver said goods as agreed and on information and belief the said package of goods was lost through the negligence of the said Company.”

It is not claimed that there was an express agreement between the parties. The only contract that can be spelled out of the transaction is the implied one imposed upon the carrier to transfer the goods and deliver them at their destination according to the usual course and without injury or delay through the carrier’s fault or negligence. The allegation that “ the said Adams Express Company has failed and refused to deliver said goods as agreed, and on information and belief the said package of goods was lost through the negligence of the said company,” sounds *548in tort. The relief demanded was for damages. In no sense could the damages demanded be claimed to be due under or by virtue of any terms or provisions of a contract existing between the parties. The plaintiff shipped these goods by defendant company. There was no special agreement between them, and no agreement at all except such as is implied between it and all parties forwarding goods by express over its lines. The action is not different in nature from one brought' where the goods had been received but in damaged condition. After careful consideration I cannot reach the conclusion that this cause of action is one contemplated by the language of section 2936 of the Code of Civil Procedure as “ an action arising on contract for the recovery of money only. ’ ’

The judgment must, therefore, be reversed.

Judgment reversed, with costs.