Harden v. Petritz, 275 F. 811

275 F. 811 | 7th Cir. | 1921

EVAN A. EVANS, Circuit Judge.

Appellee filed a petition charging payment of various sums ,of money by bankrupt to appellant, as a preference, and obtained an order requiring appellant to show cause why this money should not be turned over to the trustee. Appellant answered fully, and upon his application leave was granted to file an amended answer. He denied the facts constituting a preference, asserted his right to hold the money, and prayed the court to “dismiss the petition filed by the trustee in this cause, for the reason that said moneys in fact and in' law belong to this respondent.” A trial thereafter occurred, the testimony being heard in open court, at the conclusion of which the court found for appellee.

' [1] Two questions are presented: (a) Did the court have jurisdiction to try the cause ? (b) Do the facts support the decree ?

The recent decision of the Supreme Court, Weidhorn v. Levy, 253 U. S. 268, 40 Sup. Ct. 534, 64 L. Ed. 898, has set at rest some of the questions which have apparently vexed counsel. If doubt otherwise existed as to the effect of the amendment to the Bankruptcy Act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 838), it is removed by this decision. It is there said:

“By Act .Tunc 25, 1910, c. 412, § 7, 36 St,at. 838, 840, section 23b was further amended, so as to confer jurisdiction upon the courts of bankruptcy without consent of the proposed defendant in suits for the recovery of property under section 70e. The present suit, being of this nature, might, have been brotight in the District Court, or it might have been brought in a state court having concurrent jurisdiction under section 70e as amended.”

[2] But appellant urges that his rights could only be determined in a plenary suit, and, having been dented such a trial, the decree must be reversed. That a plenary suit, if objection be timely made, is necessary to determine controversies of this character, must he conceded. Babbitt v. Dutcher, 216 U. S. 102, 113, 30 Sup. Ct. 372, 54 L. Ed. 402, 17 Ann. Cas. 969; Weidhorn v. Levy, 253 U. S. 268, 272, 40 Sup. Ct. 534, 64 L. Ed. 898. But were appellant’s rights not litigated in a plenary suit? May not consent be given to dispose of such a controversy in a summary proceeding? The. answers to these questions are determinative of the appeal.

At no time was objection made to a disposition of the suit in the manner pursued by the court. In fact, appellant encouraged the proceedings. When brought into court upon appellee’s petition and the court’s order, instead of objecting to the forum or to the method of procedure, he asked the court in the very proceeding to litigate and determine his right to retain the money by him received from the bankrupt. Not only did be answer the petition fully, but he amended his answer, and again reiterated his demand for a decree in his favor on the only controverted issue presented.

Were appellant’s rights determined in a summary proceeding? This query may require an affirmative answer, if determined solely by the manner in which the proceedings were instituted; in the negative, if determined by the course followed after joinder of issue.

A “proceeding” is a generic term. 24 Standard Enc. of Procedure, 320. In its commonly accepted meaning it is comprehensive and inclusive. A summary proceeding ordinarily implies one begun without summons or subpoena, and is usually tried upon affidavits and upon short notice, or determined even as an ex parte matter. Statutes specifically authorize it in certain matters, and prescribe the necessary procedure. Provision is frequently made for it in the statutes of the several states, when dealing with contempt, temporary injunctions, etc.

[3] The proceedings here under review, while begun by a petition and rule of court, were from their commencement treated as a suit in equity. The petition was the hill in equity. The reply was designated, and in every way met the requirements, of an answer. It was amended; the course followed being such as would have been pursued, had the pleader wished to amend an answer. The cause was set down for trial in its order, and when reached was heard in open court, and in the same manner as a suit in equity; that is to say, petitioner presented his witnesses who were cross-examined by the opposing party or his counsel, and, when the affirmative rested, the defendant presented his testimony. Whether this proceeding was summary or plenary, it is evident that appellant secured a full hearing on an issue over which he and the trustee were in controversy, and the determination was made at appellant’s as much as at appellee’s request.' Under the circumstances we think the record discloses a plenary, rather than a summary, proceeding. In re Raphael, 192 Fed. 874, 113 C. C. A. 198.

[4] But it is not necessary for us to rest the decision upon our determination of the nature of,the proceeding, for by consent the parties may dispose of such a controversy as was here considered in a summary proceeding. In re Plymouth Elevator Co., 191 Fed. 633, affirmed 208 Fed. 394, 125 C. C. A. 609; In re Brantman, 244 Fed. 101, 156 C. C. A. 529; In re Blake, 150 Fed. 279, 80 C. C. A. 167; Salsburg v. Blackford, 204 Fed. 438, 122 C. C. A. 624; In re Ironclad Mfg. Co. (D. C.) 194 Fed. 906; 7 Corpus Juris, 252. Certainly an appellate court should hesitate to disturb a decree because of the course pursued in the trial court, where it appears that the losing party asked the court to litigate the question, submitted evidence in support of his contentions, accepted his chance of a favorable decision, and all before any question of procedure was raised.

Upon the merits of the controversy, we find nothing that would justify our disturbing the finding. Not only does the evidence support the finding, but, we might add, no other conclusion cou'd have been reached.

The decree is affirmed.