Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 202

Full-Text Articles in Law

Bills And Notes-Warranty Of Qualified Indorser -When Instrument "Valueless" Dec 1933

Bills And Notes-Warranty Of Qualified Indorser -When Instrument "Valueless"

Michigan Law Review

In an action based upon the vendor's warranty in the sale of a note as set forth in the N.I.L., sec. 65 (4), it being alleged that the maker was insolvent and the mortgaged property worth much less than the debt at the time of the transfer of the note and that both such facts were known to the transferor, held, a ruling sustaining a demurrer should be affirmed. Leekley v. Short, (Iowa 1933) 249 N. W. 363.


Constitutional Law - Bank Reorganization Legislation - Composition With Depositors And Other Creditors, Maurice S. Culp Dec 1933

Constitutional Law - Bank Reorganization Legislation - Composition With Depositors And Other Creditors, Maurice S. Culp

Michigan Law Review

Twenty States and the federal government now have laws permitting the reorganization and reopening of insolvent or failing banks. The usual statute provides for the reorganization of a bank upon some plan approved by a large majority of the general creditors of the institution; the plan must also have the approval of state banking officials and of a court of general jurisdiction, although the last is by no means a universal requirement. The reorganization, when approved, becomes binding upon all depositors and general creditors of the bank regardless of consent. By the terms of a few statutes, non-assenting creditors are …


Workmen's Compensation-Right Of Dole Employee To Compensation Dec 1933

Workmen's Compensation-Right Of Dole Employee To Compensation

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff, a citizen on the relief rolls of the defendant city, was put to work in accordance with a scrip relief plan under which persons receiving aid were "required" to work if they were able. They were paid a stipulated amount of script per hour, which was exchangeable for goods at the city store. The plaintiff was injured while using a wheelbarrow in line of duty in so working in the city park, and claimed the right to workmen's compensation under the statute as an employee of the city. The court held, by a five-to-three division, that the …


Bank Reorganization And Recapitalization In Michigan, Ellis B. Merry Dec 1933

Bank Reorganization And Recapitalization In Michigan, Ellis B. Merry

Michigan Law Review

On January 2, 1933, 420 state and 68 national banks were operating in Michigan. On February 13, the Governor of Michigan proclaimed a banking holiday for eight days which was extended in effect on February 22. On March 4, the President proclaimed a national banking holiday until March 9. Under the provisions of the President's proclamation lifting the national banking holiday, 198 state and approximately 30 national banks were reopened by the appropriate authorities as "sound" banks. State bank conservators assumed the management and custody of 215 state banks which did not open, on appointment by the Commissioner of the …


State Taxation Of Interstate Motor Carriers, Paul G. Kauper Dec 1933

State Taxation Of Interstate Motor Carriers, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

Though the Supreme Court has never had occasion to express its views as to the gasoline tax in its relation to interstate motor carriers (see first instalment of this article), it has been confronted with a series of cases involving automobile registration taxes. Every State today imposes such taxes. A brief discussion of the theory and nature of such taxes will aid in understanding their legal consequences.


Bills And Notes-Bonds Payable At Office Of Trustee Which Becomes Insolvent After Due Date But Before Bonds Presented, Ralph W. Aigler Dec 1933

Bills And Notes-Bonds Payable At Office Of Trustee Which Becomes Insolvent After Due Date But Before Bonds Presented, Ralph W. Aigler

Michigan Law Review

In Morley v. University of Detroit, decided May 16, 1933, the Supreme Court of Michigan reaches a conclusion not only of intense interest as a matter of legal doctrine, but also tremendously important, if followed, in determining the location of losses that may run into large sums. The defendant had floated a large bond issue secured by trust mortgage to a Trust Company. Among the obligor's undertakings in the mortgage was one to the effect that it would punctually pay the principal and interest of every bond according to the terms of the bond and coupons and would "deposit …


Constitutional Law-Strike As Interference With Interstate Commerce Dec 1933

Constitutional Law-Strike As Interference With Interstate Commerce

Michigan Law Review

Whether the federal courts have jurisdiction to apply the mailed fist of the injunction to the settlement of strike disputes sometimes depends on whether the strike is deemed an interference with interstate commerce. Thus, the Supreme Court held in the recent case of Levering & Garrigues v. Morrin that relief must be denied a group of New York structural steel fabricators who sought to enjoin the boycott activities of the iron workers union, because " . . . the sole aim of the conspiracy was to halt or suppress local building operations as a means of compelling the employment of …


Evidence-The Unchastity Of A Female Witness As A Ground For Impeaching Her Veracity Dec 1933

Evidence-The Unchastity Of A Female Witness As A Ground For Impeaching Her Veracity

Michigan Law Review

The underlying question which we propose to consider is this: Has the trait of chastity any such definite correlation with that of veracity that courts are justified in using the former as a criterion of the latter? It must be apparent from even a brief survey of the decisions in this field, and the reasons given therefor, that on this question the courts are swayed far more than ordinarily by their emotional reactions. Buttressed with sentiments that cannot fail to stir the heart of the male in any monogamous community and riveted with references to religion as well as the …


Banks And Banking - Liability Of Bank For Paying Check After "Stop-Payment Order" Dec 1933

Banks And Banking - Liability Of Bank For Paying Check After "Stop-Payment Order"

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff drew a check on the defendant bank in which he had deposited sufficient funds to meet his order. Before the check was presented, the plaintiff telephoned the defendant bank to stop payment. He described the check as to payee, date, number and amount and in the course of his conversation informed the bank employee that he was "Shude, from the Anchor Steel Co." The countermanding order was applied to the account of the Anchor Steel Co. and plaintiff's check was payed. Held, plaintiff should recover. Shude v. American State Bank, 263 Mich. 519, 248 N. W. …


Banks And Banking-Liability Of Drawee Bank For Payment On Forged Indorsement Dec 1933

Banks And Banking-Liability Of Drawee Bank For Payment On Forged Indorsement

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff's depositor gave to A a check, payable to A and B, in return for a chattel mortgage and a note, both signed by A and B. The check was indorsed and presented to the defendant bank for collection. The plaintiff paid the check, debiting the drawer's account. Two years later, when the note came due, it was found that B's name had been forged to the note, the mortgage, and the check. Plaintiff then credited its depositor's account with the amount of the check, and now seeks to recover from the defendant. The court held that …


Banks And Banking -- Stop-Payment Orders Releasing Bank From Liability For "Inadvertent" Payment Dec 1933

Banks And Banking -- Stop-Payment Orders Releasing Bank From Liability For "Inadvertent" Payment

Michigan Law Review

In an action by a depositor against his bank for money paid out on a check in violation of a stop-payment order, the bank interposed the defense that the terms of the order excused it if it should pay through "inadvertence or accident," and that the check was so paid. It was held that the bank was not liable. Hodnick v. Fidelity Trust Co., (Ind. App. 1932) 183 N. E. 488.


Bills And Notes - Forged Indorsement - Liability Of Collecting Bank To Drawer Dec 1933

Bills And Notes - Forged Indorsement - Liability Of Collecting Bank To Drawer

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff drew a check payable to V. It was stolen by H, plaintiff's employee, and delivered to a confederate who forged V's indorsement and deposited the check in the defendant bank which collected on the instrument. Plaintiff was reimbursed by H's bonding company, and then sought to recover the amount of the check from the defendant. Held, that though plaintiff could ordinarily recover the proceeds of its stolen, undelivered check from the collecting bank, recovery here would be denied because plaintiff had already been reimbursed for its loss. Washington Mechanics' Savings Bank v. District Title …


Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - Motor Carrier Operating Within - Single State As A Link In Interstate Transportation, Paul G. Kauper Dec 1933

Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - Motor Carrier Operating Within - Single State As A Link In Interstate Transportation, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff was engaged in business as a common carrier of goods by motor vehicle. He transported goods between the docks of Los Angeles harbor and points in and around Los Angeles, but all the goods which he carried were originally shipped in from or were consigned to destinations outside the State. His operations, however, were independent of the operations of connecting carriers. The California Railroad Commission ordered the plaintiff to cease operations until he secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Held, on review, that the plaintiff was engaged in interstate commerce, and that the Commission's order …


Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - State Regulation Of Motor Carriers - Highway Conservation, Paul G. Kauper Dec 1933

Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - State Regulation Of Motor Carriers - Highway Conservation, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

In conformity with the Texas statute regulating contract carriers, the plaintiffs applied for permits to operate as contract carriers in interstate commerce. The Texas Railroad Commission denied the application on the grounds that the proposed use of the highways would unreasonably interfere with their use by the general public and would constitute an undue burden on said highways. Held, by a three-judge court, that the Commission was acting within its authority in refusing the application on these grounds, that such refusal was valid as to interstate motor carriers, and that evidence supported the Commission's findings, consequently the bill to …


Corporations - Pledge Of Stock - Statutory Liability Of Pledgee Dec 1933

Corporations - Pledge Of Stock - Statutory Liability Of Pledgee

Michigan Law Review

The owner of shares of bank stock pledged them to defendant corporation to secure a loan. Defendant had the bank issue a new certificate to it in its own name. On the failure of the bank plaintiffs, creditors, sought to hold defendant for "double" liability under statute. Held, under the Montana statute providing that pledgees should not be personally liable as stockholders, defendant was not liable despite the fact that the bank's records did not show it to be a pledgee. Mitchell v. Banking Corp. of Montana, (Mont. 1933) 24 Pac. (2d) 124.


National Industrial Recovery Act - President's Re-Employment Agreement - Injunction By Labor Union Dec 1933

National Industrial Recovery Act - President's Re-Employment Agreement - Injunction By Labor Union

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a Wisconsin labor union, was granted a temporary injunction restraining defendant shoe company, a party to the President's Re-employment Agreement, from "further interference with the right of its employes to organize into unions of their own free will and choice" and from "interfering with . . . the freedom of its employes in the designation of representatives of their own choice for the purpose of bargaining collectively" with the company. The court decided that defendant had violated its agreement with the President to comply with section 7 (a) of the National Industrial Recovery Act. This last was based on …


Torts - Imputed Negligence - Passenger In Private Carrier For Hire Dec 1933

Torts - Imputed Negligence - Passenger In Private Carrier For Hire

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff hired Hilton, a private carrier, to drive her from Detroit to Ann Arbor. Hilton's car collided with a car driven by the defendant, both Hilton and the defendant being negligent. Held, that the plaintiff could recover, as the negligence of a private carrier for hire will not be imputed to a passenger riding in his conveyance. Three judges dissented; the four concurring judges refused to join Justice McDonald in his opinion expressly overruling the whole doctrine of Thorogood v. Bryan. Lachow v. Kimmich, 263 Mich. 1, 248 N. W. 531 (1933).


Torts - Principal And Agent - Liability For Negligent Driving Dec 1933

Torts - Principal And Agent - Liability For Negligent Driving

Michigan Law Review

Defendant company's salesman, driving his own car while selling defendant's washing-machines on a commission basis over a large territory, and with no regulation by the defendant except as to the terms of the contracts the salesman might make, negligently collided with plaintiff's car. Held, a salesman driving his own car, with no more supervision than existed here, is an independent contractor for whose negligence his employer is not liable. Stockwell v. Morris, (Wyo. 1933) 22 Pac. (2d) 189.


Admiralty- Loss Of Goods - Statutory Exemption Of Owner Of Vessel From Liability Nov 1933

Admiralty- Loss Of Goods - Statutory Exemption Of Owner Of Vessel From Liability

Michigan Law Review

Through the negligence of the chief engineer in putting new coal on top of old coal in a temporary bunker the steamship Galileo was rendered unseaworthy at the time the voyage commenced, catching fire and sinking. The cargo was lost. The plaintiff, cargo owner, sued the owner-operator or the ship in the federal District Court for southern New York for breach of contract to deliver at destination. On certiorari to the Circuit Court of Appeals the Supreme Court held, in affirming the decree dismissing the libel, that the defendant was relieved from liability under the federal fire statute which …


Carriers -Terminal And Carfloat Bridge - Whether "Terminal" Facilities Or "Interchange" Facilities Nov 1933

Carriers -Terminal And Carfloat Bridge - Whether "Terminal" Facilities Or "Interchange" Facilities

Michigan Law Review

The New York Central R. R. brought a suit in admiralty to recover damages to its carfloat No. 37 resulting from a collision occasioned solely by the negligence of the Long Island R. R.'s tug Talisman and those in charge of her. At the time of the collision the carfloat No. 37 was moored in a carfloat bridge of the Long Island's terminal at Long Island City where it had been received in connection with the transportation in interstate commerce of freight cars and freight. The New York Central had received a notice that the Long Island would not be …


Contracts - Duration Of Employment When No Time Is Specified Nov 1933

Contracts - Duration Of Employment When No Time Is Specified

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff, claiming a contract from year to year, sued to recover for the unexpired portion of the second year of his employment which defendant had terminated. The offer, made and accepted by mail, was for "the position of General Sales Manager at a salary of $15,000 per year to begin with . . . . " It further appeared that plaintiff had moved from New York to Milwaukee, that he had been making more money per year prior to this employment, and that payment by defendant had been made monthly. Held, that the hiring was indefinite and terminable …


Equity - Election Of Remedies - Deceit After Rescission Nov 1933

Equity - Election Of Remedies - Deceit After Rescission

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff purchaser rescinded a contract of sale on the ground of fraud and sued defendants in a deceit action, alleging as damages a payment made on the purchase price and special expense incurred by reason of making the purchase. Held, recovery for both items of damage will be allowed. Copeland v. Reynolds, (N. H. 1933) 164 Atl. 215.


Receivers-Provability Of Debts Owed By Insolvent Subsidiary To Parent Corporation Nov 1933

Receivers-Provability Of Debts Owed By Insolvent Subsidiary To Parent Corporation

Michigan Law Review

The defendant, a Massachusetts corporation, was organized by the plaintiff corporation in order to enable the latter to extend its line of railroad into Massachusetts. The plaintiff corporation owned the entire stock of the defendant company; all the money used by the defendant was advanced by the plaintiff; the management structures of the two corporations were practically the same, a majority of the directors and the principal officers of the one company occupying a like position with the other; the books of account of both companies were kept in the office of the plaintiff by its accountants - in short, …


Taxation - Property Subject To Inheritance Tax - Effect Of Reservation Of Life Income Nov 1933

Taxation - Property Subject To Inheritance Tax - Effect Of Reservation Of Life Income

Michigan Law Review

A father conveyed real estate to his daughter three years before his death by warranty deeds, absolute on their face but with the oral understanding that the father was to have all the income from the property during his lifetime. In a letter which the daughter wrote to her father several years later the terms of this oral agreement are given, but this letter, set forth in the statement of facts, is apparently not relied on by the court since no mention of it is made in the opinion. Held, that the gift was taxable under the inheritance tax …


Trust Receipts- Rights As Between The Parties Nov 1933

Trust Receipts- Rights As Between The Parties

Michigan Law Review

The defendant financed purchases of automobiles by plaintiff, a retail dealer, in the following manner. The manufacturer would send the bill of lading and draft on plaintiff to a bank acting as agent for defendant. The bank would advance the amount of the draft and deliver the bill of lading to plaintiff, taking a trust receipt on the cars. This trust receipt recited that defendant was the owner of the automobiles and might retake possession at any time. On breach of the agreement, defendant retook possession of the cars with plaintiff's consent and thereafter sold them without plaintiff's knowledge. Plaintiff …


Carriers - Damages From Preferential Rates Nov 1933

Carriers - Damages From Preferential Rates

Michigan Law Review

The Interstate Commerce Commission held that defendant railroad was discriminating against complainants in forcing them to pay the blanket rate for lumber dealers plus a short-line charge, and made an order to "cease and desist," but further held that the record would not support an award of damages, The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia refused a mandamus to compel the Commission .to award damages, but on appeal the Court of Appeals held that the writ should issue. On certiorari from the United States Supreme Court, held, judgment of Court of Appeals reversed and petition for mandamus denied …


Taxation Of Trust Estates-Reservation Of Life Income Nov 1933

Taxation Of Trust Estates-Reservation Of Life Income

Michigan Law Review

Settlor executed a deed of trust, retaining a life income, but no power of revocation. Held, that the State of Connecticut could tax the transfer as a gift to take effect in possession or enjoyment at or after death without violating the federal constitution. Guaranty Trust Co. of New York v. Blodgett, (U.S. 1933) 53 Sup. Ct. 244.


Federal Practice - Appeal And Error - Necessity For Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law In Interlocutory Proceedings Nov 1933

Federal Practice - Appeal And Error - Necessity For Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law In Interlocutory Proceedings

Michigan Law Review

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin issued a temporary order reducing telephone rates, setting forth its reasons and the facts in an elaborate opinion. A temporary restraining order was issued by a federal district court, which was followed by an application for an interlocutory injunction. A hearing on this application was held before three judges who granted an injunction on the same day upon the giving of a bond. Meanwhile the temporary restraining order continued in force. No opinion was rendered other than a general statement in the decree that the Commission's order "would result in the confiscation of the …


Alternative Parties And The Common Law Hangover, Dale E. Bennett Nov 1933

Alternative Parties And The Common Law Hangover, Dale E. Bennett

Michigan Law Review

Professor Edson R. Sunderland stated in 1920 that a glaring failure chargeable to the legal profession in America was "its ignorance and indifference to improvements in procedural practice developed in other jurisdictions," pointing out that while discoveries by foreign scholars in the field of medicine were eagerly accepted, similar innovations in the field of law were uniformly ignored regardless of merit. Such apathy is largely attributable to the legislatures, but the courts cannot be given an entirely clean bill of health, for attempted procedural reforms have often been nullified, in whole or in part, by technical construction and an attempted …


State Taxation Of Interstate Motor Carriers, Paul G. Kauper Nov 1933

State Taxation Of Interstate Motor Carriers, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

Although in point of years motor carrier transportation is in .ll. its infant stage, it has exhibited such prodigious growth as to take rank today as a business of huge proportions. In 1932 there were in the United States about 40,000 motor vehicles engaged in common carrier passenger service. Their operations for the year produced a gross revenue of $348,000,000, as compared with $612,000,000, produced by electric railway passenger operations, and $376,000,000, produced by steam railroad passenger operations.