Case Name: First National Bank of Monongahela City v. Carroll Township, Appellant
Court: Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1940-04-29
Citations: 140 Pa. Super. 70
Docket Number: Appeal, No. 270
Parties: First National Bank of Monongahela City v. Carroll Township, Appellant.
Judges: Before Keller, P. J., Cunningham, Baldrige, Stadteeld, Parker, Rhodes and Hirt, JJ.
Reporter: Pennsylvania Superior Court Reports
Volume: 140
Pages: 70–72

Head Matter:
First National Bank of Monongahela City v. Carroll Township, Appellant.
Argued April 16, 1940.
Before Keller, P. J., Cunningham, Baldrige, Stadteeld, Parker, Rhodes and Hirt, JJ.
Paul N. Barna, for appellant.
Clarence O. Devore, for appellee.
April 29, 1940:

Opinion:
Per Curiam,
By the amendment of May 3, 1917, P. L. 149, to section 12 of the Practice Act of 1915, P. L. 483, it was provided, "That counties, cities, boroughs, townships, school districts and other municipalities shall not be required to file an affidavit of defense." This incorporated into the Practice Act a similar provision of the Act of April 26, 1893, P. L. 26.
In consequence, judgment cannot be entered against a township, or other municipality, for want of a sufficient affidavit of defense: Schjerup v. Upper Merion Twp. Sch. Dist., 130 Pa. Superior Ct. 249, 196 A. 922. If an affidavit of defense is filed by one so exempted, it is regarded as surplusage, and does not deprive the defendant of any immunity enjoyed by it: Morgan v. Debon, 337 Pa. 452, 12 A. 2d 5. See also along similar lines, Corry v. Penna. R. R. Co., 194 Pa. 516, 45 A. 341; Cowan v. Nagel, 89 Pa. Superior Ct. 122.
As the judgment must be reversed on this ground, we shall not consider questions on the merits, which can be better presented after the facts have been elicited on the trial.
Judgment reversed, with a procedendo.