Mobile Towing & Wrecking Co. v. Hartwell , 208 Ala. 420 ( 1922 )

The bill was filed March 13, 1920, amended November 12, 1921, and on hearing there was a decree for complainant.

The decree fixed the ownership of 60 shares of stock in a corporation and awarded a money judgment for dividends from the time the corporation began to treat the stock as being treasury stock, acquired in the enforcement of its statutory lien against a stockholder for his indebtedness to the corporation. Section 3476 of Code of 1907; Montgomery Bank Trust Co. v. Jackson, 190 Ala. 416, 67 So. 235; Walsh et al. v. State ex rel. Cook, 199 Ala. 123, 131(10), 74 So. 45, 2 A.L.R. 551; Rowe v. Bank of New Brockton, 207 Ala. 384, 92 So. 643.

The bill avers that of two dividends that have been declared by the corporation, all had been paid to stockholders, other than alleged stockholder whose stock was sold and purchased by the corporation and treated as being retired, and did not aver that the corporation's earnings and assets were in excess of its liabilities and sufficient to authorize a declaration of further dividends in the amount of $4,680, the amount claimed. There is slight analogy found in Boyette v. Preston Motors Corporation, 206 Ala. 240, 89 So. 746, 18 A.L.R. 1376, where the issue of further stock was declined, for the reason that it was not shown there existed authorized capital stock that was unissued and available for the issue as prayed.

The general rule is that a holder of common stock of a corporation cannot become entitled to dividends until the same is duly declared (in the absence of fraud) in an amount resting in the sound discretion of the directors and payable out of the profits of the corporation, with the exception of liquidation dividends. Smith v. Prattville Mfg. Co., 29 Ala. 503, 508; Wolfe v. Underwood, 96 Ala. 329, 333, 11 So. 344; King v. Livingston Mfg. Co., 192 Ala. 269, 279, 68 So. 897. The capital stock of a corporation is regarded as and is the evidence of a trust fund, primarily for payment of the debts of the corporation; if there is a contest between the rights of creditors and stockholders, the latter are not entitled to any dividends or share of the capital of the corporation until its debts are paid. If an improper or premature distribution of the stock is made before the payment of its debts, the stockholder receiving the same is subject to contribution pro rata to the payment of such debts from the funds so improperly paid him; and upon an ascertainment, a court of chancery will consider all cross-liabilities or equities in a proper adjustment of the rights of the parties, having regard for the protection of creditors. Paschall v. Whitsett, 11 Ala. 472, 477; Mobile Temperance Hall Ass'n v. Holmes, 189 Ala. 271, 65 So. 1020. See, also, Cook on Stock and Stockholders, §§ 534, 535, 548; 14 C. J. § 1207, p. 798, et seq.; 7 Rawle C. L. p. 283, et seq. Dividends unpaid are assets of the corporation and liable for its debts. Curry v. Woodward, 44 Ala. 305.

The dividends declared by the corporation aggregating $78 per share were declared and paid, respectively, September 18, 1918, and December 19, 1919, upon the stock of the corporation that was treated as outstanding or on 186 shares. That is to say, no dividends were declared upon the 199 shares of stock that stood upon the books of the corporation in the name of Harry T. Hartwell and which were purchased by the corporation at its sale in the enforcement of the corporation's lien against said stockholder. After its purchase this treasury stock embraced the 60 shares of stock that were originally held by Guy Hartwell, and by him assigned in blank to his brother, Harry T. Hartwell, who surrendered same and procured the reissue on the books of the corporation of a like amount of stock to such holder or assignee. The dividends duly declared by the corporation aggregated $14,508, and were all paid out by the corporation to the holders of the 186 shares of the original 385 shares of stock.

The decree of the court for an additional dividend of $4,680 upon the 60 shares of stock originally owned by Guy Hartwell was without regard to the exercise of a reasonable discretion on the part of the directors of this corporation, or that all profits had not theretofore been declared and paid out as dividends. The prayer of the amended bill is:

"Your orator further prays that your honors will further decree and order the said Mobile Towing Wrecking Company to forthwith pay over to your orator the sum of $4,680 as the amount due to orator as dividends which have accrued and become due and payable on said 60 shares of stock since June 26, 1916, at which time the said Mobile Towing Wrecking Company began to treat and consider the said stock as treasury stock."

The agreement of counsel of the facts as to declaration of dividends is:

"Since the said sale of June 26, 1916, and since the time the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company commenced to treat the 60 shares of stock in question as treasury stock, the said Mobile Towing Wrecking Company has declared and paid to its stockholders two dividends, one being a dividend of $48 per share declared and paid on September 18, 1918, and the other being a dividend of $30 per share declared and paid on December 19, 1919, no dividend being paid on the 60 shares of stock involved in this litigation."

In the absence of appropriate allegations and proof of the sufficiency of the corporation's assets over its liabilities and stock, the decree for the $4,680 was unwarranted. The effect of the declaring of the dividends only to the amount of $14,508 was prima facie a declaration by the directors that dividends in the amount of $19,188 may not be declared. If the 60 shares of stock in the corporation that were originally owded by Guy Hartwell had been entitled to share in dividends, it was in $14,508 duly declared and not in $19,188 as decreed by the trial court.

Is complainant entitled to relief under any aspect of his bill? An understanding of one phase of the case requires an observance of the distinction between ratification and estoppel by suit. In the latter, the party against whom estoppel by suit is pleaded must have received some benefit thereby, as that the suit was prosecuted to judgment. Todd v. Inter. Mortg. Bond Co., 196 Ala. 169, 174, 71 So. 661; Register v. Carmichael,169 Ala. 588, 590, 53 So. 799, 34 L.R.A. (N.S.) 309; Hunnicutt v. Higginbotham, 138 Ala. 472, 479, 35 So. 469, 100 Am. St. Rep. 45; Huntsville Belt Line v. Corpening, 97 Ala. 681,12 So. 295: Alexander v. Mobile Auto Co., 200 Ala. 586,589, 76 So. 944; Ivy v. Hood, 202 Ala. 121, 123, 79 So. 587. In the former, the legal effect of a ratification by suit is that no judgment or other advantage is necessary to bind the party so electing to ratify by bringing the suit. Hartsell v. Roberts, 185 Ala. 201, 205, 64 So. 90; Newman v. Morgan,202 Ala. 606, 81 So. 548; Capital Security Co. v. Owens,196 Ala. 385, 387, 72 So. 8; Alexander v. Mobile Auto Co., supra; Herring v. Skaggs, 73 Ala. 446, 466; Van Winkle v. Crowell, 146 U.S. 42, 13 Sup. Ct. 18, 36 L. Ed. 880; Baker v. Clarke, 14 Ala. App. 152, 157, 68 So. 593, and authorities; 11 Ency. of Law (2d Ed.) Estoppel, p. 446. It is important to note that an election made between inconsistent rights or remedies cannot be revoked without mutual consent of the parties at interest in the subject-matter to be affected or being dealt with. Alexander v. Mobile Auto Co., supra; Lowy v. Rosengrant, 196 Ala. 337, 342, 71 So. 439; Ex parte Logan,185 Ala. 525, 527, 531, 64 So. 570, 51 L.R.A. (N.S.) 1068, Ann. Cas. 1916C, 405; Continental Jewelry Co. v. Pugh Bros., 168 Ala. 295,53 So. 324, Ann. Cas. 1912A, 657; Zavelo v. Cohen Bros.,156 Ala. 517, 521, 47 So. 292; Hickman v. Richburg, 122 Ala. 638,26 So. 136; Fuller v. Eames, 108 Ala. 464, 466,19 So. 366; Thomason v. Lewis, 103 Ala. 426, 15 So. 830; Montgomery Iron Works v. Smith, 98 Ala. 644, 13 So. 525; Lehman Durr Co. v. Van Winkle, 92 Ala. 443, 8 So. 870.

Appellant says that if Guy Hartwell had an equity to or interest in the 60 shares of stock in question after his indorsement in blank and delivery of his stock to Harry T. Hartwell for hypothecation to secure the latter's debt to the Bank of Lakeland, it was lost by means of the sale of the stock by the bank on June 23, 1916; and that, if such is the effect of his act, it is immaterial whether the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company did or did not subsequently obtain title to the stock by its sale to enforce lien against Harry T. Hartwell's stock. That is the equivalent of saying — it is not material whether there was knowledge or notice by or to the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company of the limited purpose for the loan of the stock by Guy to Harry T. Hartwell — the result is the same. The right of the Bank of Lakeland to foreclose and sell the stock, whether held by it by way of a transfer of Guy Hartwell's stock on the books of the corporation to Harry T. Hartwell and then its transfer on hypothecation to the bank, or by the hypothecation of the original certificates indorsed in blank by Guy Hartwell; the sale of the same by the bank in either event would divest the Hartwells of title or interest subject to a seasonable election of avoidance if the sale was irregular.

The complainant failing to exercise any such right within the time recognized by this court as reasonable, thereafter the title in such purchaser was free from question by Guy Hartwell. Barnett v. Dowdy (Ala. Sup.) 93 So. 638.¹ For more than three years complainant made no claim, as now sought to be asserted to the stock and dividends, although he was informed or had knowledge of the fact that Harry T. Hartwell had surrendered the original shares in question and procured the issue in his name on the books of the corporation a like number of certificates and shares of capital stock in the corporation. The excuse of Guy Hartwell for this delay is not sufficient in a court of equity — that he believed he had lost his stock by its transfer in blank and its delivery to and hypothecation by his brother, its sale on June 23, 1916, by the holder thereof, and that it was only when this court on April 18, 1918, decided the case of the bank et al., that he became aware of the interest or equity he seeks to assert by his bill filed March 13, 1920, and as amended November 12, 1921. Meanwhile, he had sought the enforcement of other inconsistent rights and remedies in the courts. If the complainant was not informed of, or misjudged his remedy under the law in manner or for reason indicated above (in the absence of any fraud on the part of the respondent), he is concluded by his mistake of law (Norwood v. L. N. R. Co., 149 Ala. 151, 42 So. 683; Sims v. Riggins,201 Ala. 99, 105, 77 So. 393; De Sota Coal Min. Dev. Co. v. Hill, 194 Ala. 537, 69 So. 948; Id., 188 Ala. 667,65 So. 988), and his ratification of the acts of his brother (as to the issue and hypothecation of his stock) by his former suit at law for recovery from his brother and another of the value of his stock.

It may be further said that complainant must fail in this action, because on June 24, 1916, the Bank of Lakeland filed its bill against this defendant-appellee asserting title to the 60 shares of stock and the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company filed its answer and cross-bill thereto, asserting title to the stock, the fact of its acquisition in the enforcement of its statutory lien against one of its stockholders, and that this lien was superior to the right, title, or lien of the Bank of Lakeland under the hypothecation, foreclosure, and purchase by the bank. This court sustained the superiority of the claim or title of the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company, granted the relief prayed in the cross-bill; that the title to said stock be declared to be in the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company rather than in the Bank of Lakeland. Mobile Towing Wrecking Co. v. First National Bank of Lakeland, 201 Ala. 419, 78 So. 797. Such is the effect of that decision; that the title acquired by the Bank of Lakeland was subordinate or subject to enforcement of the corporation's lien under the statute for payment of the debt of such stockholder. Guy Hartwell's indorsement of his stock in blank and delivery to his brother authorized its surrender and reissue under such circumstances as to make it subject to the lien of the corporation; the foreclosure or enforcement of that superior lien by the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company invested defendant with the title to the aliquot share or interest in the corporation's properties, franchise, etc., evidenced by the 60 shares of stock in question. Oden v. Vaughn, 204 Ala. 445, 85 So. 779; Randle v. Winona Coal Co., 206 Ala. 254, 89 So. 793, 19 A.L.R. 118. Hence the question of what stock that was hypothecated with the bank by Harry T. Hartwell, in view of its due assignment by Guy Hartwell, was immaterial. The aliquot interest or share in the corporation's properties, franchise, etc., had passed from Guy Hartwell to another by and through the authorized or ratified acts of his brother, Harry T. Hartwell. Oden v. Vaughn, supra; Randall v. Winona Coal Co., supra; Dawsey v. Kirven, 203 Ala. 446, 83 So. 338, 7 A.L.R. 1658; Bank of Tupelo v. Thompson, 186 Ala. 600, 65 So. 147; Nelson v. Owen, 113 Ala. 372, 380, 21 So. 75.

The demurrer challenged the sufficiency of the bill, showing as it does that the Lakeland Bank acquired Guy Hartwell's title in the manner indicated; and that the latter never thereafter acquired any subsequent interest or title thereto before the title of Mobile Towing Wrecking Company had been adjudicated superior to that of the Bank of Lakeland, and as the subsequent right, if acquired by Guy Hartwell (subsequent to that of the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company) by relinquishment by the bank of its interest, did not give the bill equity as against the Mobile Towing Wrecking Company, a corporation. The demurrer should have been sustained on such ground. The submission for decree was on demurrer, pleadings, and proof. The decree of the lower court, or rather the opinion therein, did not make mention of this phase of the case under the agreement of facts, showing a ratification by suit by Guy Hartwell of the acts of Harry T. Hartwell as indicated and bound him by reason of his having sought to pursue an inconsistent remedy in relation to the stock. The sale (of stock) was June 23, 1916, and on March 22, 1917, Guy Hartwell sued at law Harry T. Hartwell and another, upon his note for the agreed purchase price of that stock. It was alleged in that complaint that the Bank of Lakeland, under the authority contained in the collateral note of Harry T. Hartwell and Arthur Bailey, foreclosed and sold the stock, purchased the same (on June 23, 1916), that said defendants were not in position to return the stock to plaintiff, in that it had been so lost to him, etc.

If the purchase of the stock at its sale, by the Bank of Lakeland, was voidable, such an unequivocal election and ratification by suit by Guy Hartwell to treat the stock as lost to him by that sale, and to hold Harry T. Hartwell and Arthur Bailey responsible for the agreed value thereof evidenced by the writing exhibited in the complaint, destroyed the right of Guy Hartwell to elect to avoid the sale by said bank. Alexander v. Mobile Auto Co., 200 Ala. 586, 76 So. 944; Gulf Coal Coke Co. v. Musgrove, 195 Ala. 219, 70 So. 179; Finney v. Studebaker Co., 196 Ala. 422, 72 So. 54; First National Bank v. Henry, 159 Ala. 367, 378, 49 So. 97; Bradfield Co. v. Patterson, 106 Ala. 397, 401, 17 So. 536; Potts v. First National Bank of Gadsden, 102 Ala. 286, 14 So. 663. To this, appellee replies that the suit for the conversion of the stock and for its value was not prosecuted to a judgment. This is the rule of an estoppel by suit, but not that of a ratification by such action. Complainant made the election that was a ratification by suit, when he brought the action at law for recovery of value of the stock lost to him by its sale, aside from the agreement thereafter with Guy Hartwell on the part of defendants to pay the costs incurred, to give further time for delivery of the stock, and, in event of failure, to again waive the tort and prosecute the suit for failure of redelivery of the stock. Under this agreement Guy Hartwell took a nonsuit, having obtained a benefit — costs and attorneys' fees. The benefits indicated were not necessary to a ratification by suit when inconsistent remedies were known to exist. This suit for the value of the stock, its dismissal under the agreement as we have indicated, the failure of complainant to duly and seasonably elect to avoid the sale for more than two years after the right of election and avoidance accrued and was known or should have been known to him (June 21, 1916, notice to March 13, 1920, when the bill was filed), amounted to a binding ratification by Guy Hartwell of all the acts of Harry T. Hartwell, that made possible the sale, and that the ratification of said sale precluded a recovery by him in this action.

The decree of the circuit court in equity is reversed, and a decree is here rendered denying the relief prayed for and dismissing the bill at the cost of appellee.

Reversed and rendered.

ANDERSON, C. J., and McCLELLAN and SOMERVILLE, JJ., concur.

¹ 207 Ala. 641.