Case ID: nys_107/html/0219-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CENTRAL BUREAU OF ENGRAVING v. SCHMIDT-WILCKES ELECTRIC CO.
    (Supreme Court, Appellate Term.
    November 29, 1907.)
    Evidence—Declarations of Third Persons—Letters.
    Letters written to plaintiff by a stranger to the action, and containing statements tending to negative plaintiff’s claim, cannot be introduced in evidence by defendant to establish his defense.
    [Ed. Note.—For cases in point, see Cent Dig. vol. 20, Evidence, § 1194.]
    Appeal from Municipal Court, Borough of Manhattan, Second District.
    Action by the Central Bureau of Engraving against the SchmidtWilckes Electric Company. From a judgment for defendant, plaintiff appeals. Reversed.
    Argued before GILDERSLEEVE, P. J., and LEVENTRITT and ERLANGER, JJ.
    Arthur Furber, for appellant.
    Walter H. Dodd, for respondent.
   PER CURIAM.

The issue- presented by the pleadings and outlined by the evidence was whether the defendant had authorized the plaintiff to charge to its account certain purchases made by the Beck Pacific Lamp Company. In order to establish its defense the defendant introduced in evidence over the plaintiff’s objection two letters, written by the Beck Company to the plaintiff, containing statements which tended to negative the plaintiff’s claim. These declarations, made by a total stranger to the action, were in no way binding upon the plaintiff, and the letters should have been excluded. While the effect of these letters upon the result is problematical, it was sufficiently prejudicial to the plaintiff’s case to call for a new trial.

Judgment reversed, and' new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event. All concur.