Johnson v. Johnson & Briggs, Inc. , 138 Va. 487 ( 1924 )

Piientis, J.,-

delivered the opinion of the court.

This ease arises under procedure like that pursued in the case of Drewry-Hughes Co. v. Throckmorton, 120 Va. 859, 92 S. E. 818. The controversy was submitted to the arbitrament of the Honorable Beverley T. Crump, who is judge of the law and equity court of the city of Richmond, pursuant to Code 1919, chapter 257, sections 6159-6163, inclusive,, with an agreement that the award and judgment should “be appealable” to this court upon proper proceedings taken for the purpose.

The question to be determined is whether the petitioner, as the holder of $50,000.00 of the preferred stock of the defendant corporation (all of its debts having been paid), is entitled to dividends up to the date of the dissolution of the corporation, though such dividends were not earned, in preference to any distribution of the assets to the holders of the common stock. It appears to be universally agreed that the determination of such questions rests in the proper construction of the contract between the various classes of stockholders, which is generally evidenced by the charter, and in this State is doubtless required to be therein expressed.

{2] It is contended for the company that inasmuch as it had the right to redeem the stock and the proper resolution therefor had been adopted, the case is to be determined as if upon an offer by the company to exercise its right of redemption.

We think it unnecessary to consider whether or not the proper relief would have been identical or different,because in this case, at the same meeting at which the resolution to redeem was adopted, there was also a resolution to dissolve the corporation, and by consent of all of the stockholders it was formally dissolved long before it could legally redeem the stock. So that we agree with the learned arbitrator that the settlement for the preferred stock is to be taken, under the circumstances here, as done in the course of distribution of the assets upon dissolution and not in the exercise of the right of the corporation to redeem it.

So considering the question, the plaintiff in error, through his attorney, contends that the case is in substance like the case of Drewry-Hughes Co. v. Throckmorton, supra, and that the. same relief should be afforded.

In that case it was held that the preferred stockholder was entitled to be paid the accrued dividend out of the assets of the company in liquidation, although such dividend had not been earned, before any payments could be made to the common stockholders.

Let us then consider and compare the provisions of that charter with those contained "in the charter of Johnson & Briggs, Inc.

The pertinent provisions of these charters and stock certificates are printed in parallel columns in the margin. ^*

The arbitrator concluded that the differences in these provisions were such as to lead to a different result, and held that the plaintiff in error here, as a preferred stockholder, was not entitled to any further dividends upon his preferred stock, it being sufficiently shown that there were no net profits out of which they could be paid. The award denies the right to such dividends, and after the payment of the face value of the preferred stock adjudges that the residue of the assets belongs to the holders of the common stock, discharged from any claim from dividends on the preferred stock.

It seems to us that the contention of the plaintiff in error is well supported by the language used in the charter. Although this language in the two charters differs, a careful analysis fails to disclose any difference • of meaning. In the Dr ewry-Hughes Case, the preferred stock was entitled to six per cent per annum, and no more, “out of the net earnings,” while here the preferred stock was entitled to six per cent per annum “out of the surplus or net earnings.” In the former case the dividends, if not earned in any year, were to be “cumulative and to constitute a.preferred charge on the income of succeeding years,” while in this case the dividends were to be “accumulative” and no dividend could be paid on the common stock until the preferred dividend “and all prior dividends” on the preferred stock had been paid. It should be observed that these provisions refer to the corporation in operation but not to the corporation in liquidation. Comparing the two provisions of the corporations in operation, we find that in each instance the dividend is to be paid out of the net earnings; that it is to be paid in the one case “semiannually or otherwise” and in the other “yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly;” that in the one case it is to be cumulative and in the other ease accumulative; that in the one case it is to constitute a preferred charge over the common stock on the income of succeeding years until discharged, and in the other it is to be paid as prescribed by the board of directors before any dividend can be set apart or paid on the common stock.

We discover no difference whatever in the import or legal effect of these various provisions as applicable to the company in-operation.

In both charters, however, dissolution, liquidation and distribution of the assets were contemplated, and in each the charter expresses the contract of the parties in case of such distribution of the assets between the preferred and common stockholders. In the DrewryHughes charter it was provided that upon such liquidation the preferred stock was “likewise to have a prior claim” for arrears of dividends, while in this case the preferred stockholders are to be paid the amount of dividends accumulated “before any amounts shall be payable to the holders of the common stock,” and surely this is a distinction without a difference. In the Drewry-Hughes Case the holders of the preferred stock had a claim upon the assets of the company over and above the common stock, while in this case the word “assets” is twice used and with the same significance in connection with the balance of the fund which should be distributed to the common stockholders after the amount of the preferred shares and the dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon had been first liquidated in the distribution of such assets.

Analyzing this language with the utmost care, we find it impossible to distinguish the case from the Drewry-Hughes Case, and unless we are prepared to overrule that decision the same relief should be granted here as was granted there. We believe the conclusion in that case was sound, and hence have no disposition to overrule it.

The language of each of these charters holds out the promise of anticipated preferential return upon the shares of the preferred stockholder in two contingencies:

First: He is assured of this continuing or periodical return or dividend from the profits of the corporation, if any, in preference to any dividend on the common stock.

Secondly: As an additional inducement, he is assured that in case of dissolution and distribution of the assets of the corporation between its yarious classes of stockholders, if the anticipated profits have proved insufficient to produce such a dividend or return upon its capital, then that he shall receive it upon such distribution of the capital assets in preference to any distribution of such assets to the common stockholders. While he is not a creditor of the corporation he has in the distribution of such assets, as between himself and the common stockholders, a preferential claim to the assets which is superior to the claim of the common stockholders, and this because the contract so provides.

Unless this is the proper construction of such provisions for the "payment of accumulated dividends out of the assets when distributed, then this provision is illusory and without value, because if such returns are, in any event, only payable out of net earnings, they are assured by the previous provision that they shall be paid from that source. If there are net earnings, they cannot be paid to the common stockholders, either before or upon distribution of .the assets, until after the prior claim of the preferred stockholders thereto has been satisfied. No additional safeguard then as to this prior claim of the preferred stockholders upon the profits would be either necessary or appropriate. In providing for the payment of the par value of the preferred stock with all of its unpaid accumulations out of the assets of the corporation, in liquidation, the purpose was to furnish this additional security and to make the deferred and unpaid dividends, as well as the par value of the preferred stock, a claim upon the assets of such a company superior to that of the common stock.

In the view thus indicated, we are but expressing in different language what is already sufficiently expressed in the charter provision under review.

The contrary view unduly emphasizes the conceded fact that it is fundamental that capital cannot be impaired by the declaration of dividends out of the capital assets of a corporation, but they must be declared out of earnings, and hence that “cumulative dividends” like other dividends must be always limited by such earnings to dividends which having been earned, the board of directors, in the exercise of a proper discretion, should have also declared. This view, however, apparently ignores the fact that when the capital assets are being finally distributed, this reason fails. As here used, the words “cumulative” and “accumulative” amplify the word “dividends” and signify continuing growth in volume in periodical accretio'ns. The word “cumulative,” as commonly used in such contracts, refers to dividends which accumulate only because they have not been earned, or if earned, which have neither been declared nor paid. Cumulative dividends generally signify returns which gather volume by addition— delayed payments on account of anticipated dividends, which although not presently earned confer upon the stockholder the contractual right to require payment thereof in full out of future earnings before there can be any dividend on the common stock. Cumulative dividends in a going concern, under the provision here being considered, and generally, can only be declared out of earnings by the directors, but not otherwise, because the capital cannot be thus impaired.

What then results if the company dissolves, pays its debts and then proposes to distribute its assets? Why allude to dividends at all in the provision for the distribution of the assets of the company if it is intended only to include dividends which have been earned and declared? As to such profits so earned no one would- question that the holder of this preferred stock has a prior claim therefor in the distribution of the assets of the company over and above the common stock upon which no dividend can be declared until after the dividends on the preferred stock have been first paid or provided for. The earning of such profits confers this preference. This being true, the references to unpaid cumulative dividends in the provisions for the distribution of the assets of the company are mere surplusage if construed merely to secure dividends which, have been earned. Of course, it is fundamental that in construing every contract all of the language which is used should be considered, and that no language should be construed to be inoperative unless the context makes such a construction inevitable. We find then in both of these charters that the parties were not content to provide that dividends on preferred stock should accumulate and be a prior charge upon all future earnings, which the corporation should “be bound to pay,” as is expressed in the Johnson & Briggs charter, while the corporation was operating. Both charters go further and provide also for the satisfaction of the accumulated and unpaid dividends in case of dissolution, or distribution of the assets when there can be no future earnings. This latter provision is without significance unless construed to give an additional assurance of the anticipated return or dividend to the preferred stockholders. If the earnings are sufficient, their right to have the dividend declared and paid out of such earnings is already clear. If unpaid, it accumulates and must be paid therefrom, but, and because it was anticipated that the earnings might prove to be insufficient, the payment of such accumulations, designated as “dividends accumulated and unpaid,” is promised out of the assets, in case of liquidation and distribution of such assets “before any amounts” shall be payable to the common stockholders.

There has, as it seems to us, been too much refinement of reasoning and literal construction in some of the cases. The case cited in the opinion of the arbitrator, Michael v. Cayey-Caguas Tobacco Co., 180 N. Y. Supp. 532, 190 App. Div. 618, supports the contrary view, and there have been several English cases which are cited in the extended note in 6 A. L. R. 822, with the same tendency, though the language slightly differs in each case. All agree, however, that the solution of the question depends upon the proper construction of the contract in the particular case; and in Spear v. Rockland-Rockport Lime Co., 113 Me. 285, 93 Atl. 754, 6 A. L. R. 793, it is said that such contracts are construed most strongly against the corporation.

Our conclusion is that the contract here involved clearly undertook to assure to the holders of the preferred stock not only that their dividends should accumulate from time to time and be paid out of the net earnings of the corporation, if any, but, anticipating that there might be no net earnings, that it might be necessary to dissolve the corporation and distribute its capital assets to its stockholders, the contract here' also undertook to assure the payment of such accumulations in this contingency. We believe that a casual reading of either of these charters would lead either the legal expert or the unlearned man to the view which we have indicated, which careful study confirms, and that this construction effectuates the intention of the parties. Any more literal construction of such language defeats the manifest purpose of the contracting parties. The common understanding of such contracts is that the preferred stockholders take no risk either as to the return of par value of their stock, together with the limited dividends which they are conditionally promised thereon, if the assets for distribution are sufficient to reimburse them, and for this promise the preferred stockholders waive all expectation or possibility of any additional profit, however great the ultimate profits may be. These surplus profits in such cases belong to the common stockholders, and they on their part, for this hope of unlimited'gain, grant to the preferred' stockholders, who have no such opportunity, prior claims upon assets in liquidation, as well as upon earnings.

The unrestricted rights of the common stockholders to all of the surplus earnings of the corporation after the prior rights of the preferred stockholders have been safeguarded, as well as the limitations of the rights of the preferred stockholders to the cumulative preferred dividends as specified by the contract, are well illustrated by these cases: Stone v. United States Envelope Co., 119 Me. 394, 111. Atl. 536, 13 A. L. R. 422; Scott v. B. & O. R. Co., 93 Ed. 475, 49 Atl. 327; Niles v. Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 202 Fed. 141, 120 C. C. A. 319; Basset v. U. S. Foundry Co., 75 N. J. Eq. 539, 73 Atl. 514; Will v. United L. P. Co. (1912), L. R. 2 Ch. Div. 571, (1914) H. or L. R. A. C. 11.

We hardly think it necessary to discuss any other incidental questions. The stock here involved was issued as preferred stock and one dividend was paid thereon. This payment fixed the date from which the stock should bear dividends, and the contract assured the stockholder that these dividends should accumulate if not paid.

For the .reasons here indicated, which are perhaps better expressed in the Drewry-Hughes Case, our conclusion is to reverse the judgment of the trial court, and enter judgment here in favor of J. E. Johnson, administrator of C. I. Johnson, deceased, for the sum of $12,150.00 which is the conceded amount of unpaid dividends on the preferred stock.

Reversed.

* Charter.

Drewry-Hughes Co.

“The preferred stock is to be entitled to six per cent (or sixty dollars per share) per annum and no more, out of the net earnings of the company every year, to be paid semiannually, or otherwise, as the directors may determine, and'its claim to that dividend, if not earned in any one year, is to be cumulative, and to constitute a preferred charge over the common stock, on the income of succeeding years, until the same is discharged; and the preferred stock is likewise to have a prior claim, in the event of liquidation or-dissolution,to the amount of its face value and any arrears of dividends due and unpaid to it, upon the assets of the company, over and above the common stock.”

Johnson & Briggs, Inc.

“The preferred stock may be issued as and when the board of directors may determine, and shall entitle the holder thereof to receive out of the surplus or net earnings of the corporation, and the corporation shall be bound to pay thereon, as and when declared by the board of directors, a dividend at the rate of, but not exceeding, six per centum (6%) per annum, accumulative from and after such time as may be provided by the board of directors at the time of issuance thereof, payable .yearly, half-yearly or quarterly, as may be prescribed by the board of directors, before any dividend shall be set apart or paid on the common, stock; provided, however, that when; a dividend is paid on preferred stock, and all prior dividends thereon have been paid, the board of directors," if in their judgment the surplus or net profits, after deducting the amount of dividends to accrue on the preferred stock during the current year, shall be sufficient for such purpose, shall have power then or thereafter to declare and pay a dividend on the common stock.

“In case of liquidation or dissolution or distribution of the assets of the corporation, the holders of the preferréd stock shall be paid the par amount of their preferred shares, and the amount of dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon before any amounts shall be payable to the holders of common stock; the balance of the assets and funds shall be distributed ratably among the holders of common stock without preference.”

Certificates.

“In the Drewry-Hughes Case the provisions printed on the certificate were identical with the charter provisions (supra) except that the following is added at the end: “* * but in no case is the preferred stock to be entitled to receive more than its regular six per cent yearly dividends and any arrearages, with interest, that may be due to it on that amount, and to the amount of its face value in the event of- liquidation or dissolution.”

“The holders of preferred stock of this company are entitled to receive in preference to any dividend on the common capital stock, accumulative dividends at the rate of six (6%) per centum per annum, out of the net earnings of the company, and on any distribution of the assets of the company to the payment of its par value, and the amount of any accumulated dividends then unpaid, but to no other dividend or payment.”