Creedon v. Arielly

8 F.R.D. 265, 1948 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3272
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. New York
DecidedMarch 19, 1948
DocketCiv. A. No. 3351
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 8 F.R.D. 265 (Creedon v. Arielly) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Creedon v. Arielly, 8 F.R.D. 265, 1948 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3272 (W.D.N.Y. 1948).

Opinion

KNIGHT, District Judge.

This action is brought under the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942, § 1 et seq., as amended, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 901 et seq., and Executive Order No. 9809, 50 U.S. C.A.Appendix, § 601 note. The complaint alleges that, at all times therein mentioned, defendant was landlord and operated premises containing housing accommodations at Fairport, N. Y.; that the maximum legal rent of premises occupied by tenant Thomas Hook is and was $20 a month; that, from January 1, 1946, to June 30, 1946, and from July 26, 1946, to November 1, 1946, defendant demanded and received from him $30 a month, making an overcharge of $90. Plaintiff demands an injunction restraining overcharging and also judgment for $270.

Defendant’s answer comprises general denials. His demand for a jury trial was denied.

Plaintiff has moved for summary judgment and for an order permitting amendment of the complaint so as to include additional paragraphs demanding the following relief—1 (a) an order directing defendant to refund to tenants entitled thereto all monies paid by them in excess of maximum legal rents; 1 (b) judgment on behalf of United States for three times the amount of overcharges as set forth in complaint, or for twice the amount if the court orders restitution; 2. an order directing defendant to refund to tenant Mrs. Thomas Hook $120, comprising rent overcharges from December 26, 1945, to November 1, 1946; 3. judgment in favor of United States for $270, being three times amount of rent overcharges, and, if the court orders restitution of said $120, then a judg[266]*266ment for $180, representing twice the amount of such overcharge; 4. a decree enjoining defendant from demanding or receiving rents in excess of legal maximum; 5. If summary judgment is not rendered and a trial is necessary, that the court, at the hearing of the motion, by examining the pleadings'and evidence before it and by interrogating counsel, ascertain what material facts exist without substantial controversy and what are actually and in good faith controverted and thereupon make an order specifying the uncontrovert-ed facts, including extent to which amount of damages or other relief is not in controversy.

Neither the original complaint nor the proposed amendment contains any allegation relating to Mrs. Thomas Hook or the rental period from December 26, 1945, to November 1, 1946.

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, rule 8(a), 28 U.S.C.A. following section 723c, provides in part: “A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief * * * shall contain * * * (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and (3) a demand for judgment for the relief to which he deems himself entitled.”

“The prayer for relief does not constitute a part of the statement of the cause of action.” 49 C.J. p. 173.

It has been held, however, that “Under the liberal rules of the reformed procedure, a plaintiff is entitled to recover, not on the basis of his allegations of damages or of his theory of damages, but on the basis of the facts as to damages shown in the record. This liberality is carried over into the new rules. In fact, it is broadened. Differences in the forms of claims being abolished, the plaintiff should be denied relief only when, under the facts proved, he is entitled to none.” Nester v. Western Union Tel. Co., D.C.S.D.Cal., 25 F.Supp. 478, 481, affirmed 9 Cir., 106 F.2d 587; certiorari granted 309 U.S. 643, 60 S.Ct. 468, 84 L.Ed. 997, reversed on other grounds 309 U.S. 582, 60 S.Ct. 769, 84 L.Ed. 960, 128 A.L.R. 628.

The missing allegations in the complaint relative to Mrs. Thomas Hook, under the liberal rule just stated, may be supplied by plaintiff’s request to admit pursuant to Rule 36. This request contained the following items:

“1. Defendant from October 1, 1945 to November 1, 1946 was the owner and entitled to receive the rents for the use and occupancy of premises 172 North Main Street, Fairport, New York, N. Y.

“2. That Mrs. Thomas Hook became a tenant of the defendant occupying the upper apartment in said premises from October 1, 1945, to November 1, 1946.

“3. That during said period (she) paid to said defendant as landlord the monthly rent of $30.

“4. That heretofore the Area Rent Director issued an order reducing the monthly rent for said housing accommodation from $30 a month to $20 a month effective December 26, 1945.

“5. That the maximum legal monthly rent for said housing accommodation from December 26, 1945 to October 31, 1946 was $20.

“6. Defendant has not refunded to the tenant the excess rent collected by him from said tenant.

“7. That tenant * * * has not instituted any action or affected (sic) any settlement of any claim for damages in connection with the payment of rent for said housing accommodation.”

It does not appear what admissions, if any, were made by defendant.

Defendant’s counsel Abram Ginsburg, in his affidavit verified January 23, 1948, alleges: “That on or about the 11th day of September, 1947, request for admissions was served upon the defendant’s counsel by the plaintiff. That the defendant made reply, but in view of the circumstances attending the merits of this action, the defendant was unable to give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to the statements contained in the Request for Admissions; that the defendant answered the statements to the best of his ability and with some reservations, lest [267]*267he would prejudice his defense; that inadvertently, the defendant failed to verify his replies.” Deponent, therefore, prays for “leave to file the sworn statement in reply to the said request for admission.” This prayer is repeated in the affidavit of defendant’s attorney, William L. Clay, verified March 9, 1948.

Rule 36(a) provided: “Each of the matters of which an admission is requested shall be deemed admitted unless, within a period designated in the request, not less than 10 days after service thereof or within such further time as the court may allow on motion and notice, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a sworn statement either denying specifically the matters of which an admission is requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why he cannot truthfully either admit or deny those matters.”

Defendant has failed to comply with Rule 36, which “provides a drastic remedy.” Walsh v. Connecticut Mut. Life Ins. Co., D.C.E.D.N.Y., 26 F.Supp. 566, 573. “The power of the court is limited to extending the time to comply.” Nekrasoff v. U. S. Rubber Co., D.C.S.D.N.Y., 27 F.Supp. 953, 955. Defendant has made no motion invoking this power. His counsel have not alleged what items of the request he wishes to deny specifically or what items he can not truthfully admit or deny.

It has been held that failure to comply with Rule 36 authorizes the court to grant summary judgment. Walsh v. Connecticut Mut. Life Ins. Co., supra, D.C., 26 F.Supp. page 573.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
8 F.R.D. 265, 1948 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3272, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/creedon-v-arielly-nywd-1948.