131 F.2d 575 | 2d Cir. | 1943
The sole error claimed on this appeal from dismissal of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy is as to the action of the district judge in taking the case from the jury. The judge thought that, since both parties had moved for directed verdicts, a jury trial was waived; and respondent relies on state cases so holding. But Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 50(a), 28 U.S.C.A. following section 723c, is explicitly contra; and hence if petitioner had made a case, it was entitled to go to the jury upon denial of its motion. Nor is respondent correct that petitioner must
Here the alleged bankrupt did appear and was examined extensively before the court and jury. He produced at least one book of account, of some respectability for a small business, which, among other things, showed some alleged loans at the commencement of business, about which he could have been, but was not, cross examined. He also produced some checks and a. savings bank account and an income tax return for 1939. This led to a demand for the 1941 return, and the incident which seemingly is petitioner’s case. For when the court overruled respondent’s objection to this demand, respondent said, “My lawyer has them all”; and then his counsel, in response to the direct question whether he had the 1941 return, answered, “I have not, sir.” The matter was not pursued further by anyone. We certainly are not disposed to hold this vagfue interchange as to this one document a showing of failure “so to do,” or, as the statute previously read, “to so attend and submit to examination,” sufficient to put the burden of proving solvency upon respondent.
Judgment affirmed.