{ "id": 8560368, "name": "E. J. MATHIS, Doing Business as ASHEVILLE ELEVATOR SERVICE, v. MORLEY SISKIN, and JACK SCHULMAN and Wife, EVELYN SCHULMAN", "name_abbreviation": "Mathis v. Siskin", "decision_date": "1966-09-21", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "119", "last_page": "124", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "268 N.C. 119" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "76 S.E. 2d 356", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "238 N.C. 118", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8600445 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/238/0118-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 S.E. 2d 898", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "240 N.C. 721", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8610330 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/240/0721-01" ] }, { "cite": "98 S.E. 2d 29", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 N.C. 322", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626166 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/246/0322-01" ] }, { "cite": "121 S.E. 2d 873", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "255 N.C. 503", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8570670 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/255/0503-01" ] }, { "cite": "117 S.E. 2d 744", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "253 N.C. 774", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627143 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/253/0774-01" ] }, { "cite": "137 S.E. 151", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 N.C. 350", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2217840 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/193/0350-01" ] }, { "cite": "146 S.E. 2d 53", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "266 N.C. 134", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8559841 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/266/0134-01" ] }, { "cite": "91 S.E. 584", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "173 N.C. 41", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11268754 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/173/0041-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 S.E. 2d 850", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "223 N.C. 265", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8605455 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/223/0265-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 638, "char_count": 14392, "ocr_confidence": 0.558, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.4646015841700728e-07, "percentile": 0.6580234986672968 }, "sha256": "7363bd7cccda32cea6659ec5724dba016d5a5aba08d66557a5c26024ad5f69d6", "simhash": "1:15abe1993a569d0a", "word_count": 2399 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:01:58.333486+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "E. J. MATHIS, Doing Business as ASHEVILLE ELEVATOR SERVICE, v. MORLEY SISKIN, and JACK SCHULMAN and Wife, EVELYN SCHULMAN." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Lake, J.\nThere was no error in the denial of Jack Schulman\u2019s motion for judgment of nonsuit. The contract states expressly that the \u201cOwner\u201d agrees to make payments of the purchase price and identifies \u201cOwner\u201d as Jack Schulman and wife. Siskin testified that he was acting as Schulman\u2019s agent and Schulman instructed him to have this contract prepared and to sign it for him. The plaintiff testified that Schulman telephoned him and cancelled the contract the day before the equipment arrived. Siskin corroborated this. The plaintiff\u2019s Exhibit 6, a letter written by his attorney to Schulman three days after the telephone conversation, was an election by the plaintiff to treat Schulman\u2019s anticipatory renunciation of the entire contract as an immediate breach and to sue for damages. See Pappas v. Crist, 223 N.C. 265, 25 S.E. 2d 850; Edwards v. Proctor, 173 N.C. 41, 91 S.E. 584. The plaintiff testified specifically as to the damages sustained by him as a result of the breach. Thus, the plaintiff\u2019s evidence, taken to be true and considered in the light most favorable to him, as it must be upon a motion for judgment of non-suit (Insurance Co. v. Sprinkler Co., 266 N.C. 134, 146 S.E. 2d 53), is sufficient to establish each element of his alleged cause of action against Jack Schulman. The latter\u2019s testimony contradicting the plaintiff\u2019s evidence as to these various matters raised a question for the jury, which the jury resolved in favor of the plaintiff.\nUpon the circumstances shown in this record, there was no error in admitting the testimony of the plaintiff that he had a telephone conversation with Jack Schulman in which Schulman stated he was cancelling the contract. Testimony by the recipient of a telephone call as to the nature of the conversation is not admissible, over objection, without identification of the other party to the conversation by some means other than such party\u2019s own statement of his name in the course of the call. Manufacturing Co. v. Bray, 193 N.C. 350, 137 S.E. 151. However, when the plaintiff testified that he received a telephone call from Jack Schulman, the defendant did not seek permission to examine the plaintiff as to the identification of the caller before the plaintiff proceeded to testify as to the content of the conversation. Under these circumstances, it was not error to permit the plaintiff to testify as to what the caller said in that conversation. Plaintiff's testimony thereafter, on cross examination, that he had talked to Jack Schulman previously, but not on the telephone, that he did not know Schulman\u2019s voice well enough to know 'positively that it was Schulman who had called, and that all he knew about it was that someone, who said he was Jack Schulman, called him, would go to the credibility of his earlier testimony identifying the caller, but would not require the allowance of the defendant\u2019s motion to strike the direct testimony concerning the content of the conversation. See Stansbury, North Carolina Evidence, \u00a7 96. Furthermore, the plaintiff\u2019s identification of the person talking to him on the telephone is corroborated by the deposition of Siskin stating that, about the date of this telephone call, Schulman told Siskin he had cancelled the installation of the elevator.\nThere is no merit in the numerous exceptions to the rulings of the court permitting Siskin to testify that he was acting in the negotiations of this contract as agent for Schulman and that Schul-man authorized him to make the contract. While extra-judicial declarations of a purported agent are not admissible to show the existence of the agency or the extent of his authority to contract, the alleged agent is competent to testify that the agency existed, that he was authorized by the principal to make the contract in question, and that in making it he was acting as such agent in the principal\u2019s behalf. Sealey v. Insurance Co., 253 N.C. 774, 117 S.E. 2d 744.\nThe court\u2019s instruction to the jury that \u201c[A]n agent is acting in the course of his authority of his agency, when he is engaged in that which he was employed to do and is at the time about his principal\u2019s business,\u201d standing alone, would not be a correct statement of the test of an agent\u2019s authority to bind the principal by contract. This statement relates to the test for determining the principal\u2019s liability for the agent\u2019s tort. However, this statement in the charge is preceded and followed by correct and adequate statements of the law governing the liability of the principal upon a contract made for him by an alleged agent. Thus, when the entire charge is considered, we are of the opinion that the jury could not have been misled by the portion to which the defendant has excepted. The exception is, therefore, overruled. Gathings v. Sehorn, 255 N.C. 503, 121 S.E. 2d 873; In Re Will of Crawford, 246 N.C. 322, 98 S.E. 2d 29; Barnes v. Caulbourne, 240 N.C. 721, 83 S.E. 2d 898; Vincent v. Woody, 238 N.C. 118, 76 S.E. 2d 356.\nThe defendant also excepts to the court\u2019s instruction that \u201c[T]he breach which is alleged is what is known as an anticipatory breach, that is, a breach of the contract while the contract was still execu-tory, before either side had performed it in full.\u201d While, as the defendant contends in, his brief, this is not an accurate definition of an anticipatory breach of a contract, it does not appear that the defendant has been prejudiced in any way by this inaccuracy. The context in which this statement appears in the charge includes a statement of sufficient clarity as to what acts by Schulman would constitute a breach of the contract by repudiation of it in advance of an attempt by the plaintiff to perform so as to make such attempt by the plaintiff unnecessary. The portion of the charge to which this exception is directed is not, in our opinion, prejudicial error justifying a new trial of this action and this assignment of error is, therefore, overruled.\nThe remainder of the appellant\u2019s 81 assignments of \u2022 error are deemed abandoned since his brief contains no authority or discussion relating thereto. Rule 28 of the Rules of Practice in the Supreme Court.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Lake, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Prince, Jackson, Youngblood & Massagee; Williams, Williams & Morris by Ann H. Phillips and William C. Morris, Jr., for appellant.", "Van Winkle, Walton, Buck & Wall by O. E. Starnes, Jr., for ap-pellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "E. J. MATHIS, Doing Business as ASHEVILLE ELEVATOR SERVICE, v. MORLEY SISKIN, and JACK SCHULMAN and Wife, EVELYN SCHULMAN.\n(Filed 21 September, 1966.)\n1. Contracts \u00a7 1\u2014\nWhere, in an action for breach of contract, plaintiff introduces the contract in evidence, specifying that the owner agreed to pay for the proposed work, and introduces evidence that the agreement was signed for the owner by the owner\u2019s duly authorized agent, and that the owner breached the contract, the owner\u2019s motion to nonsuit is correctly denied, and the owner\u2019s conflicting evidence that the agent was not authorized to execute the contract for him, raises a question for the jury.\n2. Evidence \u00a7 23.1\u2014\nThe admission of testimony of a telephone conversation by plaintiff with defendant relative to the contract in suit will not be held for prejudicial error when defendant does not aptly seek permission to examine plaintiff as to the identification of the caller, and plaintiff\u2019s later testimony on cross examination that he did not know defendant\u2019s voice well enough to identify it positively it goes to the credibility of plaintiff\u2019s earlier identification of the caller, but does not require allowance of defendant\u2019s motion to strike the direct testimony.\n3. Principal and Agent \u00a7 4\u2014\nWhile extra-judicial declarations of a purported agent are not admissible to show the existence of the agency or the extent of the agent\u2019s authority, the agent himself is competent to testify that he was authorized by the principal to make the contract in question and that he made it in the principal\u2019s behalf.\n4. Same\u2014\nThe fact that the court interpolates a statement relating to the test for determining the principal\u2019s liability for the agent\u2019s tort between correct and adequate statements of the law governing the liability of a principal upon a contract made for him by the agent, is not prejudicial error in an action for breach by the principal of the contract it appearing that the charge, as a whole, was not misleading.\n5. Contracts \u00a7 21\u2014\nWhere the court clearly states what acts by defendant constitute a breach of contract by repudiation of it in advance of an attempt by plaintiff to perform, an excerpt from the charge containing an inaccurate definition of an anticipatory breach of a contract is not prejudicial.\n6. Appeal and Error \u00a7 38\u2014\nAssignments of error not supported by authority or discussed in the brief are deemed abandoned. Rule of Practice in the Supreme Court No. 28.\nAppeal by defendant Jack Schulman from Martin, S.J., March 1966 Session of BuNCOmbe.\nThis is a suit for damages for breach of contract. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff and Siskin executed a written contract, a copy being attached to the complaint and designated \u201cPlaintiff\u2019s Exhibit A.\u201d It is alleged that, in the execution of the contract, Sis-kin was acting individually and also as agent for and on behalf of the Schulmans. The document so attached to the complaint states that it is a contract by and between the plaintiff \u201cand Mobley SisiciN, managing agent of the Hotel Asi-ieville * * * which said property is owned by Jack Schulman and wife, Evelyn Schul-man, hereinafter known as OwNEb\u201d; that the plaintiff has agreed to furnish and erect an elevator, pursuant to certain specifications, for the price of $12,942; that the \u201cOwNEb\u201d agrees to pay 75 per cent upon the plaintiff\u2019s receipt of the equipment ordered by him, and the balance upon completion of the installation; and that, should the plaintiff be unable to complete the installation by reason of the willful default of the \u201cOwNER,\u201d the entire balance of the contract shall become due and payable with interest. The complaint then alleges that, after the execution of the contract, the plaintiff ordered the necessary equipment and did work preparatory to installing the elevator; that the plaintiff was then told by Jack Schul-man that he was cancelling the order and that upon arrival of the equipment the defendants refused to permit the plaintiff to install the elevator and thereby broke the contract, to his damage.\nThe document designated \u201cPlaintiff\u2019s Exhibit A\u201d in the record filed in this Court is not a contract but only a set of specifications. However, this Court is advised by the Clerk of the Superior Court of Buncombe County that the document attached originally to the complaint included also the document now designated \u201cPlaintiff's Exhibit A-l,\u201d its parts having been separated at the trial for introduction in evidence. Consequently, the record is considered as if it showed both of these documents attached to the complaint under the designation \u201cPlaintiff\u2019s Exhibit A\u201d and no question of variance between allegation and proof arises on this account.\nThe Schulmans filed an answer 'denying all material allegations in the complaint.\nBefore trial, a judgment of voluntary nonsuit was entered as to the defendant Siskin and, at the close of the plaintiff\u2019s evidence, a judgment of involuntary nonsuit was entered as to Evelyn Schul-man, Jack Schulman\u2019s motion for such judgment being denied.\nThe jury found that Siskin executed the contract as agent of Jack Schulman and within the scope of his authority, that Jack Schulman broke the contract, and that the plaintiff is entitled to recover $5,000. From judgment in accordance with the verdict Jack Schulman appeals.\nThe plaintiff's evidence consisted of the testimony of the plaintiff, the deposition of Morley Siskin, and plaintiff\u2019s Exhibits A, A-l, B, and 6, together with other exhibits not now material. Exhibit A-l consists of the contract. Exhibit A consists of the specifications referred to in Exhibit A-l. Exhibit B, introduced without objection, consists of a written statement by Siskin to the effect that Jack Schulman knew of Siskin\u2019s negotiations with Mathis and of the final contract resulting therefrom, and instructed Siskin to have the contract prepared and to sign it for him.\nThe plaintiff testified, in substance, that his negotiations were with Siskin; that after the contract was signed he ordered the specified equipment and materials; on 11 November, while these were in transit to him, Jack Schulman telephoned him and cancelled the order; he returned to his suppliers that part of the equipment for which they would allow him credit; other items could not be reused or returned for credit; had he been allowed to perform the contract it would have cost him about $9,878 to install the elevator; taking into account credits received on returned materials, labor costs not incurred because of the breach and lost profits, his total damages were $5,780.02.\nSiskin testified by deposition to the effect that he and the Schul-mans had discussed the need for a new elevator in the hotel; they told him to go ahead and take care of the details; they saw, knew of and approved the contract with the plaintiff, both as to form and content, and instructed Siskin to sign it; in the negotiations with the plaintiff he was representing Mr. and Mrs. Schulman and so informed the plaintiff; Schulman told Siskin he had cancelled the installation of the elevator because of his financial circumstances, this being about the time of the telephone call as to which the plaintiff testified.\nJack Schulman testified, in substance, that he and his wife are the owners of the hotel; he had no conversation with the plaintiff concerning the installation of an elevator; he did not authorize Siskin to enter into any contract on his behalf concerning an elevator; he did not know the contract was being prepared; he received a letter from the plaintiff\u2019s attorney (plaintiff\u2019s Exhibit 6, dated 14 November) referring to the above mentioned telephone call can-celling the contract, and advising that suit would be entered if he did not permit the installation of the elevator to proceed; he did not reply to this letter.\nMrs. Schulman testified that she did not at any time authorize Siskin to enter into any contract on her behalf with reference to the elevator, and Siskin never showed her the contract on which the plaintiff sues.\nPrince, Jackson, Youngblood & Massagee; Williams, Williams & Morris by Ann H. Phillips and William C. Morris, Jr., for appellant.\nVan Winkle, Walton, Buck & Wall by O. E. Starnes, Jr., for ap-pellee." }, "file_name": "0119-01", "first_page_order": 159, "last_page_order": 164 }