Furst v. Shows

[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] This suit by appellants against appellees is based upon a contract of guaranty, executed by T. W. and J. H. Shows, guaranteeing to the plaintiffs the payment for goods sold by plaintiffs to one D. O. Shows, pursuant to a written contract entered into between plaintiffs and D. O. Shows, and on which sheet of paper was also the contract of guaranty here sued upon. In this latter contract acceptance of guaranty and all notice were waived, and a further stipulation that upon expiration of three months from the termination of the contract with D. O. Shows, and nonpayment of his account, the guaranty should become absolute. The contract of guaranty is reproduced in the report of the case, and appears to be of similar import to that considered in the recent case of Huckaby v. McConnon,213 Ala. 631, 105 So. 886.

The D. O. Shows contract, with the guaranty contract thereon duly signed, was received and accepted by plaintiffs at Freeport, Ill., on February 13, 1919. The contract with D. O. Shows was terminated, pursuant to its terms, on May 20, 1921. Plaintiffs insist that upon the termination of said contract D. O. Shows was due $1,289.08. The total value of all goods shipped was $2,353.67. There was no controversy as to the amount of goods purchased. The defendants insisted that D. O. Shows had paid all that was due — a defense properly presented in this character of suit under the general issue, and as to which no special plea of payment was necessary. Huckaby v. McConnon, supra.

The defendants further insist as a defense that a portion of the goods sold by plaintiffs to D. O. Shows consisted of lemon and orange extract, containing 85 per cent. alcohol, was intoxicating, and sold under circumstances as to be violative of the law, both state and federal, and that, therefore, the entire contract was avoided thereby, citing Wadsworth v. Dunnam, 117 Ala. 661, 23 So. 699; Armstrong v. Walker, 200 Ala. 364,76 So. 280.

The trial court, however, clearly interpreted this character of evidence as applying only to the sales of such extract if found to be in violation of law, and confined the issue to a nonrecovery for such goods if so found by the jury, and to a reduction only of the amount claimed to be due, and not as affecting the validity of the entire contract. Upon the issues as thus indicated, the cause was submitted to the jury, resulting in a verdict for the defendants.

It is here further urged by defendants that no recovery can be had against them as guarantors under the undisputed proof, because of a material variance by plaintiffs from the terms of the contract with D. O. Shows, upon which the guaranty was based, and authorities are cited to the effect that a guarantor is bound to the extent and in the manner stated in his contract of guaranty, and no further. Manatee Nat. Bank v. Weatherly,144 Ala. 655, 39 So. 988; Nat. City Bank v. Seattle Nat. Bank,121 Wn. 476, 209 P. 705, 30 A.L.R. 347, and note; Bank of Italy v. Merchants' Nat. Bank, 236 N.Y. 106, 140 N.E. 211. The general principle of law stated in these authorities is well recognized, but we are of the opinion these authorities are without application here.

In the contract with D. O. Shows plaintiffs agreed to sell and deliver to him "on board cars at Freeport, Ill., or at their option from their nearest branch warehouse, at their current wholesale prices, their products in reasonable quantities as ordered by him."

It developed in the proof that the goods sold said Shows were manufactured by Furst-McNess Company, and sold by them to plaintiffs, who were sole distributors thereof, and the insistence is that the goods were in fact not the products of plaintiffs, but of Furst-McNess Company, the manufacturers.

We are cited to the definitions of the word "products" as found set forth in one of our opinions in the case of Elder v. State, 162 Ala. 41, 50 So. 370. But the word here is to be construed in connection with the context which indicated no particular manufacture. Where the goods were bought by plaintiffs, who became the sole distributors thereof, they became, within the meaning of the contract, the products of plaintiffs, and the conduct and dealings between the parties indicate that it was so understood. Bank of Italy v. Merchants' Nat. Bank, supra. We are of the opinion this insistence is without merit.

Upon the defense of payment, plaintiffs insist they were entitled to affirmative instructions in their favor. D. O. Shows testified that the account was paid. His wife testified as to the receipt of plaintiffs showing payment. The contention of plaintiffs rests largely upon detailed testimony on cross-examination of these witnesses, reflecting, as is insisted, upon the credibility of the same and its unsatisfactory and inconclusive character. We are persuaded, however, that whatever may be said in this regard (as to which we do not feel called upon at this time to express an opinion) the testimony of those two witnesses made the question of payment one for the jury's consideration.

As to the lemon and orange extract, the evidence discloses that 85 per cent. of these extracts was alcohol, and plainly so labeled on the bottles. Lemon extract is the flavoring extract from oil of lemon, or from lemon peel, or both, and contains not less than 5 per cent. of volume of oil of lemon. The orange extract is the flavoring extract from oil of orange, or from orange peel, or both, and contains not less than 5 per cent. of volume of oil of orange. The evidence is without dispute that 85 per cent. of alcohol is necessary for the dissolution of these oils and holding in solution. These extracts are recognized by the federal government as food products and permits were issued to Furst-McNess Company, the manufacturer, by the federal government specifically authorizing the use of 85 per cent. alcohol in these extracts. The Volstead Act, tit. 2, § 4, expressly provides for the manufacture and sale of such flavoring extracts that are unfit for use as a beverage or for intoxicating beverage purposes. U.S. Compiled Stat. 1923, Cum. Supp. § 10138 1/2b. That these extracts are well-known articles of merchandise, having a legitimate use for flavoring purposes, is not controverted by counsel for defendants. Their manufacture in the instant case is not only permitted by the government authorities, but their legitimate use for culinary purposes has been long recognized by the authorities. Intoxicating Liquor Cases, 25 Kan. 75, 37 Am. Rep. 284; Carl v. State, 87 Ala. 17, 6 So. 118, 4 L.R.A. 380; W. T. Rawleigh Co. v. Rutkowski et al. (Minn.) 209 N.W. 625; Walker v. Dailey,101 Ill. App. 575; McConnon v. Meadows, 138 Miss. 342,103 So. 7; Young v. State, 137 Miss. 188, 102 So. 161, 36 A.L.R. 717; Humphrey v. State, 16 Ala. App. 244, 77 So. 82; Id., 201 Ala. 697,77 So. 1001; Joyce on Intoxicating Liquors, 44.

The question is fully discussed in the foregoing authorities, and needs no repetition here.

At the time of the contract between plaintiffs and D. O. Shows and defendants these extracts were legitimate articles of merchandise. Plaintiffs had agreed to sell said D. O. Shows their products, including numerous articles, and among them were these extracts.

Speaking of the alcoholic content of preparations of this character in connection with the prohibition law then in force in the state of Kansas, Justice Brewer, speaking for the court in Intoxicating Liquor Cases, supra, said:

"Alcohol is the intoxicating principle, the basis of all intoxicating drinks. Whatever contains alcohol will, if a sufficient quantity be taken, produce intoxication. * * * But when we come to inquire as to the liquors which contain alcohol, we find a lengthy list of fluids which are never used as beverages. Cologne, extract of lemon, bay rum, paregoric, tincture of gentian, and many other medical preparations contain alcohol, and all will produce intoxication. They are seldom used as a beverage, and yet they may be. Intoxication produced by drinking bay rum has been known. Yet few will drink it. Its uses are for the toilet. * * * The possibility of a different and occasional use does not change their recognized and established character. A particular spade may be fixed up for a parlor ornament, but the spade does not belong there. So essence of lemon may contain enough alcohol to produce intoxication, more alcohol proportionately than many kinds of wine or beer. It is possible that a man may get drunk upon it, but it is no intoxicating liquor. Bay rum, Cologne, paregoric tinctures generally, all contain alcohol, but in no fair or reasonable sense are they intoxicating liquors or mixtures thereof."

The proof in the instant case discloses that some of the purchasers of those extracts from D. O. Shows in Crenshaw county, where he was offering the goods for sale, used the same for beverage purposes, diluted and drank the extracts, and became intoxicated thereby. The sale of these extracts may therefore be abused, and, if so, and sold for beverage purposes, constitute a violation of both the state and federal laws. McConnon v. Meadows, supra; W. T. Rawleigh Co. Case, supra; Walker v. Dailey, supra; Joyce, Intoxicating Liquor, § 39.

The above-cited federal statute expressly provides a penalty for —

"any person who shall knowingly sell any of the articles mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) * * * for beverage purposes, or any extract or sirup for intoxicating beverage purposes, or who shall sell any of the same under circumstances from which the seller might reasonably deduce the intention of the purchaser to use them for such purposes."

From the evidence as to the quantity of extracts purchased at one time and with some frequency by a few of D. O. Shows' customers, we conclude it might be reasonably inferred that said Shows had notice the purchase was for beverage purposes, and therefore the sale was in violation of the law. As to the circumstances of these sales, however, the plaintiffs had no information, so far as this record discloses, and under ordinary circumstances would in no manner be chargeable therewith; nor would it constitute any defense to a suit for the purchase price of the articles. Such was the express holding in McConnon v. Meadows, and W. T. Rawleigh Co. v. Rutkowski, supra, and, indeed, the soundness of this conclusion is not here questioned by counsel for defendants.

Plaintiffs' counsel insist that, though it should appear they had notice or knowledge that D. O. Shows was purchasing these extracts to be sold as beverages in violation of law, that would be insufficient to render the transaction of this sale illegal, requiring to that end some participation on their part in such illegal sales, citing, among other authorities, McWhorter v. Bluthenthal et al, 136 Ala. 568, 33 So. 552, 96 Am. St. Rep. 43. Delivery of these goods was made to D. O. Shows, as contemplated by the contract in a foreign state, and thus constituted an interstate transaction. Harper v. State,91 Ark. 422, 121 S.W. 737, 25 L.R.A. (N.S.) 669, 18 Ann. Cas. 435.

The authorities relied upon are not here applicable, as the federal statute, above noted, expressly condemns any sale made under circumstances from which the seller might reasonably deduce the intention of the purchaser to use them for beverage purposes. The question, therefore, is one of fact as to whether or not such was the case under the evidence here adduced.

At the time of the contract entered into between plaintiffs and D. O. Shows there is nothing to indicate any intention that these extracts were to be sold for beverage purposes. They merely constituted a portion of their products, which said Shows was to purchase for resale, as he might desire to order. We are of the opinion, therefore, that the defense here sought to be established as to illegal sale of these extracts cannot be extended, under the evidence here adduced, as to affect the validity of the contract in its entirety.

The trial court was of the opinion, and so ruled, that the evidence as to sales of these extracts by plaintiffs to D. O. Shows was sufficient for submission to the jury upon the question as to whether or not they had any notice that the extracts were to be disposed of in violation of law, and instructed the jury that, if they so found, recovery could not be had for this portion of the account.

It appears from the proof that these extracts were sold in 4, 7 and 11 ounce bottles. In the inspection of the products, evidence for the plaintiffs is to the effect that the federal authorities also inspected and knew the size bottles, and no complaint appears to have been made, nor does there appear to be any limitation thereon fixed by statute. Some other manufacturers seem to use bottles of like size. D. O. Shows was engaged in selling these products in Crenshaw county (the territory awarded to him), and defendant offered evidence tending to show: That the trade in that territory did not call for or require sales of these extracts in larger quantities than 2-ounce bottles, and that such latter size was usual and customary when sold for culinary purposes; that said Shows purchased more than was reasonably required for the legitimate needs of such territory; that after the first order given on April 20, 1919, D. O. Shows wrote, in part, to plaintiffs to send one dozen of the large bottles and one dozen of the small bottles of lemon extract by express, as he was out, and that was the best seller, adding: "Rush my order." The amount of goods sold totaled $2,353.67, of which practically one-sixth, to wit, $390, was for these extracts. That plaintiffs wrote D. O. Shows to push the sale of these extracts, and urged him to purchase more goods than he, in fact, did purchase.

In W. T. Rawleigh v. Rutkowski, supra, the one fact that plaintiffs had urged the defendant to sell more medicine to customers than needed for immediate use was relied upon as showing guilty knowledge of its illegal use on plaintiff's part, but was held insufficient. Here, however, a number of facts and circumstances are relied upon, as above noted, and we are of the opinion these facts and circumstances sufficed to justify the trial court in submitting for the jury's determination the question whether or not plaintiffs sold these extracts to D. O. Shows under circumstances from which they might reasonably deduce the intention of said Shows to use them for illegal purposes. The scintilla doctrine prevails in this jurisdiction, and in determining such a question the matter of the weight of the evidence does not enter into consideration, but only as to whether or not it is sufficient for submission to the jury.

Charge 26, refused to plaintiffs, embraces the essentials of the principles herein announced as to the sale by plaintiffs to D. O. Shows of these extracts. Said charge exonerates plaintiffs as to any unlawful purpose in such sale, provided they sold said Shows without notice or knowledge that he intended to make any unlawful use thereof. The criticism of this character of instruction is its failure to follow the language of the above-cited federal statute, "under circumstances from which the seller might reasonably deduce" such unlawful intention; but we think such circumstances would be the equivalent of "notice" as used in the charge as merely a more concise statement of the same principle. This charge should have been given. Its substance is not embraced in any given charge, or the oral charge of the court, and its refusal constitutes reversible error.

As we read refused charge 29, it is practically the same as the charge last discussed, with the additional instruction as to the burden of proof. This charge should also have been given.

The fact that these extracts were known by plaintiffs to be intoxicating, if drunk to such excess, and the size of the bottles, was relevant evidence; nor was it objectionable to permit some of the bottles to be offered in evidence. The size of the bottles and their alcoholic content were admitted, and while as original evidence the testimony that the building in which the extracts were manufactured and plaintiffs' business were in the same building would be inadmissible or irrelevant, yet, as this was elicited on cross-examination, we are not prepared to say there was an abuse of discretion in such ruling.

In the contract of guaranty defendants waived all notice, and the fact that plaintiffs had given them no notice that D. O. Shows was in arrears was immaterial, as no such duty rested upon plaintiffs. Such evidence only tended to prejudice plaintiffs' case. This observation likewise applies to assignments of error 91, 93, 95, and 99 which complain of the admission of evidence offered by defendants to the effect they did not know the size of the account, and had no notice plaintiffs were claiming anything of D. O. Shows. So, also, whether D. O. Shows sold the goods for cash or credit was immaterial, there being nothing in the contract concerning that matter (Huckaby v. McConnon, 213 Ala. 631, 105 So. 886), and likewise immaterial whether he owned any property or not, and what profit he was to make on the sale of these products — all of which rulings were of prejudicial character.

There is merit also in assignments 52, 53, 55 and 56. The court sustained defendants' objection to the question propounded to witness Wolfe, who really had charge of the matter of these sales to D. O. Shows, as to whether or not plaintiffs, at the time of such sales to said shows, had any notice or knowledge that these extracts would be used unlawfully. This was a vital question as to a recovery for these extracts, and defendants' evidence was intended to show guilty knowledge on plaintiffs' part. Manifestly a denial of any such notice or knowledge was proper to be admitted. From what we have hereinbefore stated, it appears as our conclusion that evidence tending to show the reasonable needs of such extracts in that territory, the usual size bottles sold there for culinary purposes was properly admitted or offered by defendants.

The contract of guaranty contained no limitations as to the amount for which payment was guaranteed. The reference to "reasonable quantities" as found in the contract between plaintiffs and D. O. Shows, we think, very clearly is to be construed as having reference to the discretion or judgment of the plaintiffs as to the amount, and as not otherwise a limitation thereon.

Plea 7c as amended was subject to the demurrer interposed thereto, but, as this plea was eliminated by the affirmative charge for plaintiffs as to the same, no prejudicial error intervened in overruling the demurrer thereto.

A detailed consideration of the numerous assignments of error would extend this opinion to undue length. What we have herein said should suffice for another trial of the cause.

For the errors indicated, the judgment will be reversed, and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SAYRE and MILLER, JJ., concur.