William B. Tanner Co., Inc., and Pepper & Tanner, Inc. v. Wioo, Inc.

528 F.2d 262, 18 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 106, 1975 U.S. App. LEXIS 11751
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit
DecidedNovember 26, 1975
Docket75--1149
StatusPublished
Cited by59 cases

This text of 528 F.2d 262 (William B. Tanner Co., Inc., and Pepper & Tanner, Inc. v. Wioo, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
William B. Tanner Co., Inc., and Pepper & Tanner, Inc. v. Wioo, Inc., 528 F.2d 262, 18 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 106, 1975 U.S. App. LEXIS 11751 (3d Cir. 1975).

Opinions

OPINION OF THE COURT

GARTH, Circuit Judge.

This breach of contract action in the context of the radio industry requires us to resolve questions concerning the authority of an employee to bind his principal, the occurrence of an anticipatory breach, and the damages recoverable following such breach. We hold, as did the district court, that the employee had apparent authority to contract on behalf of the radio station and that an anticipatory breach of the contract did occur. However, we reverse the district court’s determination as to the damages resulting from this breach.

I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTS

Plaintiff William B. Tanner Company (Tanner) commenced this diversity action against defendant WIOO, Inc. (WIOO) in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Tanner is a Tennessee corporation which produces promotional and advertising services for use by radio stations throughout the country. WIOO is a Pennsylvania corporation doing business as a licensed radio station in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

In its complaint Tanner claimed that it had produced radio jingles and promotions for WIOO under five licensing contracts for which it had not received full [265]*265compensation.1 F. Eugene Waite (Waite), an employee of WIOO, executed each of the contracts allegedly on behalf of the station. Under all but one of these agreements, Tanner was obligated to furnish various promotional materials to WIOO in return for cash payments and a specified number of one-minute spots.2 A “spot” is a segment of radio time sold for advertising purposes. The five contracts purported to grant Tanner a large number of one-minute spots which were to be “valid until used.”

After a trial without a jury, the district court filed an opinion which included the following findings of fact and conclusions of law:

(1) that Tanner had failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that Waite possessed actual authority to sign the contracts on behalf of WIOO;
(2) that Tanner established by a preponderance of the evidence that WIOO created in Waite apparent authority to bind the station under the contracts;
(3) that WIOO’s conduct constituted an anticipatory breach of the contracts;
(4) that Tanner unreasonably delayed enforcement of Contracts Nos. 1 and 4 and therefore only Contract No. 5 was before the court;3
(5) that Tanner was entitled to damages of $12,628 on Contract No. 5

measured by the monetary value of 1560 one-minute spots and an outstanding cash obligation of $928.

A judgment filed July 15, 1974 was entered in favor of the plaintiff Tanner in the amount of $12,628 plus interest. Thereafter, WIOO moved to vacate or amend the judgment or for the grant of a new trial. On December 13, 1974, the district court denied WIOO’s motion. This appeal followed. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

II. CHOICE OF LAW

Since the district court had jurisdiction on the basis of diversity of citizenship, we are bound by the choice of law rules of the forum state, Pennsylvania. Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 61 S.Ct. 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941).

All of WIOO’s and Waite’s actions which are relevant to a finding of apparent authority occurred in Pennsylvania. Whether Tanner relied on these actions in Pennsylvania or Tennessee need not concern us because both Pennsylvania and Tennessee adhere to the doctrine of apparent authority as expressed in the Restatements (First and Second) of Agency. Accordingly, we feel free to apply Pennsylvania law in the resolution of this issue.4

[266]*266Furthermore, Pennsylvania is the place of performance under the contracts. Although this point is not free from doubt, we interpret Pennsylvania law as providing that “matters connected with the performance of a contract are governed by the law prevailing at the place of performance.” Musser v. Stauffer, 192 Pa. 398, 43 A. 1018 (1899); Atlas Credit Corp. v. Dolbow, 193 Pa.Super. 649, 165 A.2d 704, 708 (1960). Therefore, we must look to the law of Pennsylvania, as have the parties, to determine the remaining two issues: whether there was an anticipatory breach and whether damages are recoverable.

III. APPARENT AUTHORITY

The district court’s finding that Waite possessed apparent authority to bind WIOO contractually is a mixed question of fact and law. We may not set aside the court’s factual determinations, “unless [they are] clearly erroneous.” Rule 52(a), Fed.R.Civ.P.; see Krasnov v. Dinan, 465 F.2d 1298, 1302 (3d Cir. 1972). However, in determining whether the facts as found by the district court constitute apparent authority under Pennsylvania law, we may exercise an “independent review.” United States ex rel. Hayward v. Johnson, 508 F.2d 322, 325 (3d Cir. 1975).

A. Creation of Apparent Authority

The district court concluded that “. . . the defendant WIOO created in F. Eugene Waite apparent authority to act as general manager of the station. .” WIOO argues here that the district court improperly looked to the actions of Waite rather than to the actions of WIOO in determining the existence of apparent authority.

Under Pennsylvania law, apparent authority flows from the conduct of the principal and not that of the agent. In Revere Press, Inc. v. Blumberg, 431 Pa. 370, 246 A.2d 407, 410 (1968), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated:

Apparent authority is power to bind a principal which the principal has not actually granted but which he leads persons with whom his agent deals to believe that he has granted. Persons with whom the agent deals can reasonably believe that the agent has power to bind his principal if, for instance, the principal knowingly permits the agent to exercise such power or if the principal holds the agent out as possessing such power.

See also Jennings v. Pittsburgh Mercantile Co., 414 Pa. 641, 202 A.2d 51, 54 (1964); Reading Co. v. Dredge Delaware Valley, 468 F.2d 1161, 1163 (3d Cir. 1972).

The district court found that Waite held himself out to the public as the general manager of WIOO and that the owners of the station acquiesced in this conduct.

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Bluebook (online)
528 F.2d 262, 18 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 106, 1975 U.S. App. LEXIS 11751, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/william-b-tanner-co-inc-and-pepper-tanner-inc-v-wioo-inc-ca3-1975.