Milton C. Charles v. William N. Bowie, Jr., as Trustee in Bankruptcy of American Aeronautics Corporation, Bankrupt
Milton C. Charles v. William N. Bowie, Jr., as Trustee in Bankruptcy of American Aeronautics Corporation, Bankrupt
Opinion of the Court
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, American Aeronautics Corporation, hereafter called American, was adjudged a bankrupt,
Thereupon, on February 3, 1956, the referee issued an order requiring appellee to show cause on February 9, 1956, why he should not be ordered to pay appellant the $4,000 mentioned in the petition. On February 9, 1956, the referee conducted a hearing on the petition and order to show cause — a hearing in which appellant, appellant’s counsel and appellee’s counsel participated. At that hearing, appellant adduced evidence consisting of appellant’s Exhibit No. 1, the testimony of appellant’s witness, Gordon D. Strube, and the testimony of appel
Exhibit No. 1 was a letter from American to appellant dated February 15, 1955,
It appeared from appellant’s testimony that, after receiving the letter of February 15, 1955, appellant worked for American two or three days, preparing a claim for an income tax refund,
Appellant’s brief does not contain a specification of errors.
As indicated above, appellant’s petition of February 3, 1356, was based on an alleged assignment by American to appellant. It had no other basis. The record discloses no assignment other than the letter of February 15, 1955. That letter purported to assign to appellant (to the extent of $4,000) whatever income tax refund American might receive as a result of services performed by appellant after February 15, 1955. It did not assign or purport to assign anything else. There being no evidence that any income tax refund was ever received by American or by appellee, the referee erred in finding that such a refund was received by appellee
Appellant was not prejudiced, but was benefited, by the referee’s errors. He therefore had and has no right to complain of them. Appellee could have complained, but has not done so.
. The record does not show when, how or by whom the bankruptcy proceeding was instituted or when the adjudication occurred.
. So far as the record shows, appellant never filed any claim against American’s estate nor any proof of any suck claim. See §§ 57 and 63 of the Bankruptcy Act, 11 U.S.C.A. §§ 93 and 103, and Orders 20, 21 and 24 of the Orders in Bankruptcy, 11 U.S.C.A. following section 53.
. The record does not show whether this was before or after the bankruptcy proceeding was instituted or before or after American was adjudged a bankrupt. See footnote 1.
. The record does not show whether American was solvent or insolvent on February 15, 1955.
. Probably meaning a claim for refund.
. There was no evidence that appellant ^performed any other service for American after receiving the letter of February 15, 1955. There was evidence that appellant performed services for American before February 15, 1955. That, however, was immaterial, since the letter of February 15, 1955, referred only to services to be performed thereafter.
. Tlie referee found that appellee had received an income 1ax refund in an amount sufficient to pay ¡Ji'SOO to appellant, but that finding was not supported by any evidence.
. Appellee sought no review of the referee’s order and took no appeal from the order affirming it.
. Our Rule 18 (formerly Rule 20) requires every appellant’s brief to contain “a specification of errors relied upon which shall be numbered and shall set out separately and particularly each error intended to be urged.” 28 U.S.C.A.
. See footnote 7.
. See footnote 8.
Concurring Opinion
(concurring) .
I concur in the opinion, but desire to add to it two short comments.
First: I do not overlook in the transcript a passing reference made by counsel for appellant at the time of the hearing before the referee to the effect that a refund “has been received and is in the possession of the Trustee in bankruptcy and he has refused to pay it over.” This statement, in the absence of evidence or stipulation, does not prove the fact; nor can this Court accept it as a fact established by the record.
Second: Judge Mathews’ opinion states that the assignment is prospective only, and that Charles cannot prevail. I agree. But I would meet the further point urged on the appeal — that the referee erred in refusing to consider parol evidence as to. the true intent of the parties. The referee committed no error, because the language of the document needs no interpretation. The instrument is an integrated writing, and the parol evidence rule applies. Had the referee permitted the oral testimony to vary the clear terms of an integrated document, he would then have committed error.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Milton C. CHARLES, Appellant, v. William N. BOWIE, Jr., as Trustee in Bankruptcy of American Aeronautics Corporation, Bankrupt, Appellee
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published