Fisher v. Yellow Cab Co.
Fisher v. Yellow Cab Co.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion handed down in the Graham case [16 D. & C. 238] is incorporated herewith so far as applicable. This would make a further opinion unnecessary, except that this case presents an additional and novel question which did not arise in the Graham case. The action was brought in the state court of common pleas and removed to this court on the averment of diversity of citizenship. It is not denied that there is such diversity between the plaintiff and the original defendant. The latter has, however, under the Pennsylvania Act of 1929, amended in 1931, brought in Warren F. Doane as “additional defendant.” Between this “additional defendant” and the plaintiff there is no diversity of citizenship. A question of jurisdiction is thus raised.
It is urged upon us with much force and plausibility that a suit by the plaintiff against the “additional defendant” could neither have been brought in nor removed to this court because of the absence of judicial power in this court to entertain it. If the “additional defendant” had been made a defendant either alone or jointly with the original defendant named, the cause could not have been removed or, if inadvertently brought here, would be remanded.
If the viewpoint from which the case is above discussed were the true viewpoint, we would be of opinion that the question of law raised in favor of the defendant should be sustained. We find ourselves out of accord with both counsel in the point from which they view and have discussed the question. This question turns, as we view it, upon the other question of who are the parties to the action. There are, as we understand the rulings of the state courts, two cases to be tried. Although tried by the same jury and under the same evidence they are as distinet as if made the subject of separate suits. One is by the plaintiff against the original defendant. If this is determined in favor of the defendant, there is nothing more to be done than to record the verdict. If, however, this is determined in favor of the plaintiff, then the jury determines as between the original defendant and the “additional defendant” who is the responsible party, precisely as would have been done before the Act of 1929 if the original defendant had been sued, had paid the judgment and had brought suit against the “additional defendant” to recoup.
We are quite aware of the size of the job thus imposed upon court and jury. Some of the questions of real difficulty are suggested in the very able briefs submitted. None the less, we so read the Vinnaeombe ruling [Vinnacombe et ux. v. Philadelphia et al., 297 Pa. 564]. Thus viewed, the two cases before us are Fisher v. Yellow Cab Company and Yellow Cab Company v. Doane, in each of which the jurisdictional facts are present.
An appropriate decree may be submitted.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Fisher v. Yellow Cab Company
- Status
- Published