Trustees of Elon College v. Elon Banking & Trust Co.

182 N.C. 298

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: October 26, 1921
• Status: Published

Opinions

Walee®, J.,

after stating the substantial facts: The plaintiffs’ counsel contended that, in the consideration of the questions presented herein, certain material facts, which they contend have .been admitted, should be kept in mind and control our decision. We will state, as briefly as possible, the grounds upon which these contentions are -laid, in discussing the prominent features of the case.

The bank solicited the business, and by reason of the bank’s offer the plaintiffs did forego other safe and convenient methods of transmitting the bonds. The bank held itself out as having safe means of preserving the bonds, plaintiffs asked for insurance that would protect them, offered to pay any expense incident thereto, and defendant is an insurance agent. The bank being in the insurance business, was in a position to know just how fully it was protected, and but for its negligence in acquainting itself with the terms of its own insurance policies might have been, and doubtless would have been, fully protected, instead of being protected only to the extent of 10 per cent. The bank agreed to notify plaintiffs upon return of the bonds. It negligently failed for twenty-six days to do so. If it had done so the plaintiffs would have taken them from the bank and placed them in the safe of the college, “where it was the custom for the college to keep its bonds.” The college safe was not robbed. Tbe bank did not keep these bonds where it kept its money, and if it had, they would not have been stolen, or, if they had been stolen, the bank would have recovered from the insurance company 100 per cent of such loss. The bank, at the time of the loss, acknowledged its liability, and recovered $440 insurance money by solemnly declaring its liability. It still has this money. It has never offered to return the money to the insurance company, but instead offers it to plaintiffs, and avers that it is liable only to this extent. These are some of plaintiffs’ contentions.

It is thus well said, in an interesting note by the late Judge Freeman, to be found in 38 Amer. State Bep., 733 : “A very important part of the business of every bank, •whether private or incorporated, consists of acting as agent or bailee for its customers.” It was at one time held by some courts that such services were outside the scope of authority _ of banking institutions, but all doubt about their property has been removed by such well considered opinions as First National Bank of Carlisle v. Graham, 300 U. S., 699, and Third National Bank v. Boyd, 44 Md., 47.

While it is a general rule that an accommodation bailee is liable only' for gross negligence, the courts in nearly all recent cases have held that a stricter degree of care is required of banking institutions receiving articles of more than usual value, and holding themselves 'out as having special facilities for their transmission and safe keeping. In fact, they are not accommodation bailees, for “while a bank may not receive any direct compensation for its service, -it obtains advantages therefrom in attracting and retaining clients.” Note, Isham v. Post, 39 A. S. R., 781. In the case of Levy v. Pike, 25 La. Ann., 630, the Court, discussing a case somewhat similar to this, substantially said: “Their object was doubtless to increase their deposits, and, of course, enhance their profits; and to accomplish it they held themselves out to the business community as prepared to take care of their valuable boxes. The taking care of their boxes was a part of the business of the bank, by which they doubtless induced cash deposits and made considerable profit. We, therefore, do not regard the deposit in question as only a gratuitous one. Something more than no gross negligence or fraud was expected from the defendants. They were bound to exercise such diligence as prudent bankers would exercise in taking care and preserving a thing of that character deposited with them.” Since banks hold themselves out as having unusually safe and convenient means of transmitting and keeping Liberty Bonds and other valuable securities, as well as money, and since such institutions at such small cost can obtain indemnity that will absolutely protect them, the courts have come to apply to them a measure of liability which has been invited by them, to wit, the rule of the ordinary prudent man in like circumstances; or to be more specific, tbe care that a prudent and diligent banker would give his own property or securities of like value and importance. As has been said, the assertion that banks are liable for gross negligence only is well calculated, if generally accepted as such, to thwart the only purpose for which such a deposit is ever made. Banks are instituted, and their buildings constructed, for the delivery in, and safe keeping of, money and money securities; and these bonds were deposited in defendant’s bank for greater security of the bonds, that is, for safe keeping. Whitney v. National Bank, 55 Vt., 155; Isham v. Post, 38 A. S. R., 780, and note. Schouler, in his recent work on Bailments and Carriers, sec. 35, after stating that a gratuitous bailee is liable only for slight care and diligence, according to the circumstances, and cannot be held for loss or injury, unless grossly negligent, says: “This statement of the rule, though strongly buttressed upon authority, fails at this day of universal approval in our jurisprudence.” The same author says that what is negligence or gross negligence depends largely upon the value of the property, and upon business usage, and the attendant facts. This Court, in Hanes v. Shapiro, 168 N. C., 28, treating of this question, brings our State into line with the majority of jurisdictions, by saying: “But, in the last analysis, the care required by law is that of the man of ordinary prudence. This is the safest and best rule, and rids us of the technical and useless distinctions in regard to the subject.” And this case is quoted with approval in Perry v. R. R., 171 N. C., 158. It is evident that the so-called distinctions between slight, ordinary and gross negligence over which- courts have perhaps somewhat quibbled for a hundred years, can furnish no assistance. Haddock v. Riggs, 106 Kans., 108; 12 A. L. R., 221. The care must be “commensurate care,” having regard to the value of the property bailed and the particular circumstances of the case. Hanes v. Shapiro, supra.

The Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of Preston v. Prather, 137 U. S., 604, held that banks, acting as bailees, without reward, in the care of special deposits, are bound to exercise such reasonable care as men of common prudence bestow upon the protection of their own property of a similar character. The theory that the bailee’s care of his own property is a satisfactory test of -his duty to a bailor has also been rejected. It is now the law that the bailee must take such care of his property as prudent and careful business men generally take of property of like value and importance. Any other rule would put a premium upon negligence and carelessness. The modern rule is well stated in Haddock v. Riggs, 106 Kan., 808, 12 A. L. R., 219, and is, in substance this, that while many respectable authorities may be found which regard such a showing as the true test in determining whether there has been gross negligence, the better rule is that taking such care of the property, or thing, as of one’s own, repels a presumption of gross negligence, but this may be overcome and liability fastened upon the bailee, nevertheless, by showing the failure to exercise the care‘that under all the circumstances was required of him, because, manifestly, one may take risks with his own property, that he has no right to take with another’s, and because it is not a question of the care exercised by him as an individual merely, but as one of a class. In 3 R. C. L., 102, it is well said that a gratuitous bailee will not be permitted to absolve himself from all responsibility for the care of an article bailed, merely by proving that he has been likewise grossly negligent with his own goods. See, also, 6 C. J., 1119, sec. 57 and 59.

In Boyden v. Bank, 65 N. C., 19, is found an expression which is relied on by defendant, that a bank “is bound only to keep a (special) deposit with the same care that it keeps its own property of like description.” Of course, the Court did not mean to make that bald statement, that a bank can be negligent with its own property, and be excused from 'responsibility for that of another, because the latter was held by it as bailee and dealt with in the same manner as was its own. In the old ease of Doorman v. Jenkins (1834), the plaintiff proved the delivery of the money to the defendant for the purpose of taking up a bill. The defendant was the proprietor of a coffee house, and the account he gave of the loss was that he unfortunately placed the money in a cash box which was kept in the taproom, and that the cash box with the plaintiff’s money in it, and also a larger sum belonging to the defendant, was stolen from its place of deposit on a Sunday. Lord Chief Justice Denman, a very eminent and. learned jurist, said in his charge, it did not follow, from the defendant’s having lost his own money, at the same time as the plaintiff’s, that he had taken such care of the plaintiff’s money as a reasonable and prudent man would ordinarily take of his own. The case is reported in 2 Ad. & El., 256 (111 Eng. Reprint, 99), where the action of the court in leaving the question, whether there had been culpa7 ble negligence, to the jury, was approved. See, also, Coggs v. Bernard, 2 Ld. Raym., 909 (92 Eng. Reprint, 107), 1 Smith, Lead. Cas., 199.

We dealt with this question in Marks v. Cotton Mills, 135 N. C., 287, and Hanes v. Shapiro, supra. In the Marks’ case we held that an employer in respect to machinery and appliances was not exonerated from liability for an injury received by his employee, while using a machine or appliance, simply because he exercised that degree of care which he would have used if he had been supplying them for his own use, but that he must have been as careful of his employee as a man of ordinary prudence would have been if be was bimself exposed to injury, and having regard for bis own safety. Tbe principle, as to negligence, is practically tbe same in both of tbe classes.

Reverting to tbe agreed facts in tbe case at bar, plaintiffs contend tbat tbe defendant bas admitted five important things :

(1) It received tbe bonds as bailee, and is unable to return tbem.

(2) It was directed to insure tbe bonds, but carried only 10 per cent insurance on tbem.

(3) It failed for a period of twenty-six days, contrary to express agreement, to notify plaintiffs tbat tbe bonds bad been returned.

(4) It failed to keep tbe bonds in tbe burglar-proof compartment of its safe, where there was 100 per cent safety and 100 per cent insurance.

(5) It virtually admitted to its insurance company tbat it was liable for tbe loss, and bas received as insurance money, and retains, 10 per cent of tbe amount of tbe loss.

As to tbe first proposition, it seems to be well settled law in this jurisdiction, and generally, tbat when it is shown tbat tbe property in question bas been delivered to tbe bailee, and is not returned, or cannot be returned, there is a prima facie case made for tbe bailor which is sufficient to carry tbe case to tbe jury and to authorize a verdict for him. 3 R. C. L., 150-151; Hanes v. Shapiro, supra; Sprinkle v. Brimm, 144 N. C., 401.

There is some reference in tbe briefs, and also in tbe argument before us, to the question of insurance, that is, as to tbe duty of the defendant to have kept tbe bonds insured to their full value in compliance with a request to tbat effect made by tbe plaintiffs, but we need not enter at large upon tbe consideration of this question, as we will briefly refer to it later in our conclusion as to tbe present disposition of tbe case'; and in tbe same category must be placed tbe reference to tbe notice by defendant to plaintiffs of tbe arrival of tbe new bonds, it being contended as to tbat feature of this case tbat tbe doctrine of Martin v. Culbertson, 64 N. C., 328, applies, where it is held by tbe Court: “Where there is any material departure from tbe terms of tbe bailment, tbe bailee becomes a wrongdoer, and is liable for any injury which results from tbe departure, without regard to tbe question of negligence.” And in this connection they also rely on 6 Corpus Juris, 1110 and 1111, as stating tbe rule of tbe most recent authorities, viz.: Where there is an express and valid contract the terms thereof control, since both bailor and the bailee are entitled to impose on each other any terms they respectively may choose, and their express agreement will prevail against general principles of law applicable in the absence of such an agreement. The bailee is liable for loss resulting from breach of bis contract to keep tbe property in a particular manner, or to return it at a particular time, or other special stipulation in regard to the property, without regard to whether he has been otherwise negligent. They refer also to Carll v. Goldberg, 110 N. Y. S., 318; Cochran v. Walker, 49 S. W., 403; Sprinkle v. Brimm, 144 N. C., 401.

Plaintiffs contend further that the defendant kept the bonds in the wrong place — an unsafe place — while it kept its own money in the “money chest,” which proved to be a safe place for it, but this matter also may be deferred for additional treatment in our conclusion, and also the contention that defendant has virtually admitted its liability by collecting the $440 from the insurance company upon its representation, expressed or implied, that it was, at least to that extent liable to the plaintiffs.

We come now to the conclusion of the law upon all these matters and variety of contentions.

The concise question necessarily involved in this case is whether the defendant, as bailee of the bonds, has exercised that care which the law requires of it, in the custody and preservation of them, and whether it gave the notice of their arrival at its banking house, and in other respects complied with the contract of bailment. We find ourselves unable to determine these questions and to decide fairly and correctly as to the rights of the one party, or the liability of the other, upon the case agreed as we find it to be in the record. 'Whether there has been negligence in the performance of any legal duty is generally a composite question of fact and law, and is in this case, as in nearly all others, one for the jury to decide under proper instructions from the court. The admissions of the parties, as stated in this case, are not so conclusive in their character, and not so comprehensive as to present the naked question of law, whether the defendant has broken the contract of bailment and the plaintiffs have been thereby próximatelv injured. We can well conceive of other elements or facts and circumstances additional to those stated in the case, which may well enter into the propor solution of this central and controlling question. The defendant does not expressly or impliedly admit its negligence, but denies it strenuously and conversely, The plaintiffs do not expressly or impliedly admit that there was no negligence. Neither could safely make such an admission. It would end the case against it (the bank or the college) should either be so indiscreet as to make the admission. Negligence is preeminently a question for a jury, with proper advice from the court as to the law, to pass upon, as the existence or nonexistence of it in the particular case depends upon the special facts and circumstances — and all of them.

We do not assert that tbe facts and circumstances cannot be so stated as to determine tbe rights and liabilities of tbe respective parties, but they are not apt to be, as it might require .too grave and serious an admission, if not a fatal one, on tbe part of one or tbe other of tbe litigants. Sufficient it is to state that such a case is not presented here. Tbe parties have selected tbe wrong method of presenting tbe true question involved in tbe case, or, to state it another way, they have not stated exhaustively all tbe facts and circumstances essential to a decision of tbe pivotal issue, whether there has been negligence.

We bold, though, that there is evidence of a consideration for tbe bailment, and if tbe latter is found by tbe jury to exist, tbe measure of care which tbe law requires to be exercised by tbe bank would be that of an ordinarily prudent person in like circumstances, and not merely slight care, and its responsibility would consequently arise without tbe presence of gross negligence.

Tbe facts recited by us in this opinion, and partially repeated elsewhere, are evidence of negligence indisputably, but only evidentiary in character, as tbe ultimate fact of negligence is not stated in tbe ease, and whether tbe notice was given, or if given, whether tbe plaintiffs would have removed tbe deposit before tbe theft are also, and at leas't, but matters of fact, as is tbe question whether tbe plaintiff bad actual knowledge that tbe bonds bad come (Bank v. Burgwyn, 110 N. C., 267) and were in tbe bank for them, or their order, thereby dispensing with notice. We do not decide such questions, but only questions of law. A case agreed must state all tbe facts necessary to a decision, which this case does not do. In this, if not in other respects, tbe agreed case lacks completeness. This must be so, unless whether there is negligence, is not a mixed one of law and fact.

For tbe reasons given, tbe case is remanded, with directions to submit it to a jury to find as to tbe question of negligence, upon all tbe evidence, unless tbe parties agree to a reference for that purpose, or unless they can, and will, amend their case so as to present tbe bare question of law, which they are not likely to do.

Error, and remanded with instructions.