Ray v. Robinson
Ray v. Robinson
070rehearing
On Motion for Rehearing
Appellant in his motion for rehearing, among other things, complains because this Court did not specifically write upon several of his numerous points. One of which is, point 8, reading as follows: “The error of the court in not allowing proof by appellant as to appellee’s knowledge that Townsend was not financially able to purchase the rose bushes of appellant, as being a ready, willing and able purchaser.” With reference to this matter we quote from the' statement of facts (on cross-examination of appellee Robinson) on pages 80 to 83, inclusive, as follows:
“Q. Subsequent to securing this purported purchase order here, did both you and Mr. Ray determine that Townsend Nurseries was not financially able to buy the roses they had ordered? A. No, sir, we did not.
“Q. At any time after this particular order, did Townsend Nurseries attempt to get you to accept a note for $2,000.00 which they stated would be a negotiable note ? A. Mr. Ray—
“Q. You can answer that yes or no, I believe, sir. Did you get such a note ? A. Through the mail, yes, sir.
“Q. As a result of securing that note through the mail, did you and Mr. Ray go to the Lindale Bank at Lindale, Texas, to determine if that note was a bankable or negotiable note ? A. I went with Mr. Ray to the Lindale State Bank to find out something about the note, yes, sir.
“Q. As a result of having gone to the Lindale Bank, did you find out, at that time, that such note was not a bankable note and not so considered by the bank in Salisbury, Maryland? A. I am confused with the term ‘bankable’ note.
“Q. I will put it this way— A. Very difficult for me to answer, Mr. Saunders.
“Q. I don’t want to confuse you, and will put it this way: As a result of giving*164 that note, a note able to be considered as a bankable note is one that you could discount or , sell or assign at a bankable institution. A. I understood that is what Mr. Ray wanted to do.
“Q. Could he do that? A. The bank that that' was drawn on in Salisbury, Maryland was — my understanding, the Bank called and asked’ if they would discount the note and send the money to Mr. Ray, and my understanding was the bank in Salisbury refused.
“Q.' At that time, did you find out in any manner so that the knowledge was brought home to you and to Mr. Ray that Townsend Nurseries was not a solvent company and that they had judgments against them? A. No, sir.
“Q. Did you, thereafter, through Mr. Vanberg find out they had judgments against them?
“Mr. Lawrence. That would be hearsay statement and would not be proof on the matter, and mere conjecture of the third party whom we have not had opportunity to cross-examine.
The Court. Sustain.
“Q. Do you now have knowledge regardless of the source you secured it from, that Townsend Nurseries in the fall of 1951 had judgments against them? A. Nothing other than from what Mr. Ray told me.
. “Q. You now know they have, subsequently in June of 1952, taken bankruptcy, do you not? A. No, sir, I do not.
“Q. 'You don’t know that? A. No, sir.
“Q. Do I understand you to say Mr. Vanberg of the- Mahon Color Press didn’t tell you they had judgments against them?
“Mr. Lawrence. Council is repeating a question the Court has ruled on.
“The Court. Sustain as to what a third party told him.
“Q. You so testified in your deposition, didn’t you?
“Mr. Lawrence. We all know we take depositions when The Court is not present and objections not made, and because Counsel' asks a question does not make it admissible and we ask that counsel be- instructed not to repeat the question.
“The Court. You make the same objections now?
“Mr. Lawrence. Yes, si'r, and because he asked the question in his deposition doesn’t make it admissible.
“The Court. Sustain the objection.
“Q. You say Mr. Ray told you had judgments against him? A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Then you did have knowledge, after receiving that order, that Townsend Nurseries had judgments against them and was not a solvent ready, willing and able buyer ?
“Mr. Lawrence. Object. The mere fact that one of the parties told another might be what he thought but no knowledge the concern is insolvent. The question is not proper and we object.
“The Court. Sustain. The jury has the testimony what Mr. Ray told him and whether a fact would be a matter for the jury to determine.
“Mr. Saunders. Before a broker is entitled to commission, he would have to secure a ready, willing and able buyer, financially able, and the purpose of this testimony is to show that. We except to the ruling of the Court.
“The Court. I have ruled. You may have your exception.” (Emphasis ours).
It is clearly apparent from the above testimony given and the testimony sought to be elicited that appellee Robinson did not have any' knowledge, at the time the contract between Townsend and Ray was entered into that Townsend could not perform his contract. In fact, any alleged information that Robinson got to that effect was given him by hearsay subsequent to the date of the contract. Robinson further testified-, directly that subsequent to the order in question he did not know that Town
We have also carefully considered appellant’s motion for rehearing and all of his other contentions, and have concluded that our original opinion is correct. All points not specifically written upon are without merit and are overruled.
Appellant’s motion for rehearing is in all things overruled.
Opinion of the Court
Appellee Robinson sued appellant Ray for commissions on various sales of rose bushes. He further specifically alleged that Ray was due' him commissions of $5,270 (less $500 previously advanced him by Ray) on sales to Sherman Townsend of Salisbury, Maryland. Ray answered that their agreement was one of brokerage and that he had received a written order-from Townsend for $36,247.30 worth of
Thirteen issues were submitted to the, jury which answered issues Nos. 1 and 3, and Robinson dismissed a part of his petition (wherein he had sought recovery on sales other than, the Townsend sale), amended his petition (wherein he specifically sought recovery of commissions on the Townsend sale) and the court on the answers of the jury and on additional findings and considerations entered judgment for Robinson for the sum of $3,270.50 against appellant.
Appellee, among other things, relied upon the following written instrument (Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 4) addressed to Robinson, which reads in part as follows: “Ray’s Rose Nursery of Swan, Texas, agrees to pay you for the Roses which you have sold to Townsend Nurseries Inc., Salisbury, Maryland as follows.
Single wrap #1 Standard Variety.♦ 11½0 each
Single wrap #1 “ Patents. 11½0 “ “ wrap #1 Blaze.... 14½0 "
Three in one wrap #1½ Standard. 16¾0 " " “ “ #1½ Blaze.240
It is understood these prices include delivery to Salisbury, Maryland. All cost of delivery to be borne by you regardless of whether shipment is made via Rail or Truck. ,
Ray’s Rose Nursery
Accepted: By Bryan K. Ray.
Howard Robinson.”
This instrument was not dated.. Robinson testified it was executed about two weeks after January 2, 1952.. Ray testified that it was-executed -on November 14, 1951.
Plaintiff’s exhibits la to If inclusive, consisting of six carbon copy sheets in a Ray’s Rose Nursery Order Book of the original order from Townsend in question here, read in part as follows:
“Order
Ray’s Rose Nursery Tyler, Texas
From — Townsend Nurseries Inc. Date — Jan. 2, 1952.
Street — Vine St. Extension City- — Salisbury State- — Md.
When Ship — Mar. 1 to Apr. 1, 52 How ship — Prepaid Motor Truck” * * *
Here follows a list of the items ordered * * * Each of the six pages are signed by Townsend Nurseries Inc. by Sherman Townsend. We quote fr.om the last page in part as follows: “Last page order complete. Seller to furnish Electroplates 2000.00-to be deducted from last delivery. Terms — - Net cash on delivery—
Total . $36,247.30
Less amount paid; 2,000.00
Balance due on delivery. $34,247.30
(S) Townsend Nurseries Inc Sherman Townsend.”
The evidence further shows that Townsend paid Ray $2,000 at the time of the order. It will also be noted that the above order provides for the payment of the balance of $34,247.30 cash on delivery, and does not provide for Townsend to “send the money with shipping instructions” as contended by appellant Ray.
On March 31, 1952, at 11:09 P.M. at Salisbury, Maryland, Townsend telegraphed Ray giving him shipping instruc
H. M. Gresham, Manager of the telegraph office in Tyler, Texas, produced the original typewritten message of April 1st, 1952, which was deposited for transmission addressed to Townsend and signed “Ray’s Rose Nursery,” and which contained the identical wording as testified to by Robinson and as quoted above. He further testified that the telegram was charged to Ray’s Nursery and that the nursery paid the charges. Ray denied writing the telegram or that he authorized it to be sent. Robinson’s testimony was as above stated, to the effect that Ray typed out the telegram and directed Robinson to take it to the telegraph office for transmission to Townsend, which he testified that he did.
Special issue No. 1 which the jury answered “Yes,” reads as follows: “Do you find from a preponderance of the evidence that Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 4 sets out the terms of the agreement between the plaintiff and ■ the defendant as to the payment. of commissions on the order for rose bushes dated January 2, 1952, by Townsend Nurseries as identified in plaintiff’s Exhibit No. la, through If?”
Special issue No. 3 which the jury answered “Yes,” reads as follows: “Do you find from a preponderance of the evidence that defendant wilfully failed to fill the order of Townsend Nurseries as set out in the telegram of March 31, 1952, identified as Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 8 herein?”'
Robinson also testified with respect to the usual, reasonable and customary charges for freight transportation of rose bushes by rail and truck from Tyler, Texas, to Salisbury, Maryland; that it would take three rail or box cars at around $500 per rail car and that it would take 5 truck loads at around $450 per motor truck load to transport the Townsend order from Tyler to Salisbury.
'Appellant’s first point is as follows: “The error of the coürt in overruling appellant’s motion before the trial began to instruct counsel for plaintiff not to ask or allude to a purported telegram allegedly sent by appellant to Sherman Townsend.”
Appellant’s second point is as follows: “The error of the court in permitting appellee’s counsel to prove by the witness H. M. Gresham that Ray’s Rose Nursery had sent a telegram to Townsend Nurseries on April 1, 1952.”
Appellant denied the sending of the April 1 telegram to Townsend and denied authorizing the sending of same. However Robinson testified positively that Ray personally typed out the message to be transmitted to Townsend and that Ray personally directed him (Robinson) to take the message to the telegraph office and have it transmitted to Townsend and to charge the message to Ray’s account at Swan, Texas, which Robinson testified that he did. The testimony further shows that Mr. Gresham, the manager of the telegraph office received the message
Appellant’s third point is as follows: “The error of the court in allowing counsel for plaintiff to prove, over appellant’s objection, by cross examination that a later sale of rose bushes was made between Townsend Nurseries and appellant after his time for purchase and order given had expired because it would be a novation or new contract.” Appellant makes no citation to the statement of facts to support his third point covering the later sale, nor does he cite any authorities on this proposition, as outlined by Rule 418, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. However we have checked the statement of facts and have reached the conclusion that the evidence complained of (a later sale in May, 1952) was material to the issue of whether appellant had wilfully failed to fill the Townsend order in question. We overrule appellant’s third point.
Appellant’s fourth point is as follows : “The error of the court in allowing a telegram, introduced over appellant’s objection that it would represent a new contract, which telegram was from Townsend Nurseries to appellant and subsequent to expiration of purchase date of agreement sued on.” The order from Townsend in question consisting of six pages has at the top of each page “When ship? Mar. 1 to April 1, 1952.” There is nothing in the written order to the effect that Townsend Nurseries must furnish shipping instructions. However, on March 31, 1952, Townsend did telegraph shipping instructions (which was received by Ray at 11:23 P.M. on March 31, 1952), and on April 1, 1952, under testimony in this case, Ray acknowledged receipt of the wire of March 31, and authorized and directed the transmission of the telegram to Townsend stating that he was preparing the roses for shipment and would wire him when they were sent. In Francis v. Foster, Com.App., 113 Tex. 521, 260 S.W. 1023, it was held that where a broker procured purchasers with whom seller entered into a contract whereby seller received part of the purchase price at date of contract with the balance to be paid
We have also carefully considered appellant’s other points and are of the opinion that same are without merit, and we respectfully overrule same.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
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