United Silk Mills Co. v. Max Fishel, Inc.

4 Pa. D. & C. 751, 1924 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 262

This text of 4 Pa. D. & C. 751 (United Silk Mills Co. v. Max Fishel, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Northumberland County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United Silk Mills Co. v. Max Fishel, Inc., 4 Pa. D. & C. 751, 1924 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 262 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1924).

Opinion

Lloyd, J.,

— This is a proceeding in foreign attachment. The pleadings have developed for our consideration two rules. The first rule, issuing upon motion of the defendant, was directed to plaintiff to show cause why the writ of foreign attachment should not be quashed; the second, issuing upon motion of plaintiff, was directed to defendant to show cause why an amended affidavit of cause of action should not be allowed. Both rules were returnable March 3, 1924, and were argued together as a single rule. Each, however, is a distinct rule in itself and independent of the other. We shall dispose of both in this single opinion, but we shall treat and consider them separately.

[752]*752Prom the records it appears that on Nov. 22, 1923, a foreign attachment issued, and on the same day the plaintiff filed an affidavit of cause of action; that on Dec. 3, 1923, the return-day of the writ, the sheriff in his return answered as follows:

“November 22nd, 1923, Attached as within commanded and more particularly about 192 Rolls of satin de chene, each roll containing about 100 yards, of the defendant Max Fishel, Inc., in the hands and possession of the Sunbury Converting Works, a Pennsylvania Corporation, within named garnishee, in the presence of Ida E. Myers and J. Wesley Zeigler, two creditable witnesses of my bailiwick, and at the same time served Sunbury Converting Works, eL Pennsylvania Corporation, within named garnishee, by handing unto John J. Steller, General Superintendent and person in charge of the office and principal place of business of said Garnishee in the City of Sunbury, Pa., a true and attested copy of the within writ, and by making known unto him the contents thereof. December 3rd, 1923, Nihil Habet as to Max Fishel, Inc., within named defendant.”

That on Jan. 7, 1924, by leave of court, the following prsecipe, denominated “conditional appearance praseipe,” was filed:

“And now, January 7, 1924, by leave of Court, Knight and Taggart and C. M. Clement appear in the above entitled case conditionally for the purpose of praying that the return may be quashed for the reasons filed.”

And on the same day defendant again appeared conditionally for the purpose of praying for the first rule, and which, upon the following motion to quash, was awarded:

“Max Fishel, Inc., a foreign corporation defendant, by Knight & Taggart and C. M. Clement appearing in this behalf conditionally and for the sole purpose of praying for this rule, prays the court to grant a rule on the plaintiff, the United Silk Mills Company, to show why the writ of foreign attachment retained in this case should not be quashed for the following reasons:
“1. Plaintiff’s affidavit of cause of action does not show the necessary jurisdictional facts to sustain the writ of attachment.
“2. There is no allegation that Max Fishel, the defendant, owns or possesses any real or personal estate in the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania and within the jurisdiction of the court.
“3. The affidavit of cause of action does not allege that the goods and chattels described in the writ of attachment, viz., 192 pieces or rolls of satin de chene, each i-oll containing about 100 yards, is the property of the defendant or that it has any interest therein or title thereto.
“4. The averment in paragraph 2 of the affidavit of cause of action, sub-clause D, ‘It is averred that defendant, Max Fishel, Inc., failed and neglected to furnish and deliver to plaintiff the materials called for in the said contracts to be furnished by them, the defendant. Upon demand by plaintiff, the defendant refused to carry out its contracts above mentioned. Defendant's refusal to perform its covenant made it impossible for plaintiff to perform its covenant to manufacture the goods called for in said contracts,’ is a conclusion and an insufficient statement of fact, in that it does not state how, by what means, when or where the refusal of the defendant and the demand of the plaintiffs therein set up occurred or how or by what means the plaintiff was prevented from performing its covenant, if any, with the defendant.
“5. Because the averment in the 2nd paragraph of the cause of action, clause B, and the exhibits attached does not show a contract between the plaintiff and defendant for the breach of which there can be a recovery.
[753]*753“6. Because the averments in paragraph 2 of the cause of action, section F, do not aver how or when the defendant refused to accept the material, and whether orally or in writing; nor is there any legal averment that such refusal constituted a breach of contract or how or why the plaintiff was damaged thereby.
“7. Because the affidavit of cause of action is so uncertain that it does not set forth a good cause of action or give adequate notice to the garnishee of its rights and liabilities.
“8. Because the facts as averred in the affidavit of cause of action would not support or sustain a verdict and judgment against the garnishee.”

That on Feb. 18, 1924, the second rule was awarded, the issuance of which was waived and service thereof accepted at bar by attorneys for defendant; and on March 3, 1924, the defendant filed a paper, denominated “special answer," in the following language:

“And now, to wit, March 3, 1924, come Knight & Taggart, Attorneys for Max Fishel, Incorporated, into court especially for the purpose of making answer to the rule to show cause why amendments to the affidavit of cause of action should not be allowed, and not for the purpose of appearing generally, and answers that said amendments as alleged in the petition of the plaintiffs and said amended affidavit may not be filed as a matter of law, and are not permissible as a matter of law, and request that the same be placed before the court for argument.”

First rule.

Upon the oral argument and by its brief, the plaintiff challenges the right of defendant to maintain this rule for the following reasons:

“1. Because its motion to quash is not verified by an affidavit.
“2. Because no notice of the time and place of making said motion was given to counsel for plaintiff.
“3. Because the defendant has not filed exceptions, verified by affidavit, within four days after the return-day of the writ.
“4. Because the defendant, by its motion to quash and by waiving issuance and acceptance of plaintiff’s rule to show cause why an amendment to the affidavit of action should not be allowed, appeared generally and thereby waived all defects in the affidavit of cause of action.”

The first reason is predicated upon Rule 33 of this court, which provides: “In all petitions and motions to the court in the nature of an application for a rule to show cause, or any other interlocutory proceeding to be placed upon the argument list, the facts alleged in the petition or application shall be verified by affidavit.”

Manifestly, under this rule, the affidavit required is in verification of facts only. And as defendant’s motion, supra,

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Bluebook (online)
4 Pa. D. & C. 751, 1924 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 262, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-silk-mills-co-v-max-fishel-inc-pactcomplnorthu-1924.