Case Name: HENRY LINSTER v. EAST LAKE HEALTH RESORT, Inc.
Court: Oregon Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Oregon
Decision Date: 1927-12-06
Citations: 123 Or. 208
Docket Number: 
Parties: HENRY LINSTER v. EAST LAKE HEALTH RESORT, Inc.
Judges: Bean, J., concurs in the result.
Reporter: Oregon Reports
Volume: 123
Pages: 208–215

Head Matter:
Argued at Pendleton November 4,
affirmed December 6, 1927.
HENRY LINSTER v. EAST LAKE HEALTH RESORT, Inc.
(261 Pac. 686.)
For appellant there was a brief over the names of Mr. H. H. DeArmond and Mr. R. B. Parsons, with an oral argument by Mr. Parsons.
For respondent there was a brief over the names of Mr. E. O. Stadter and Mr. L. E. Schmitt, with an oral argument by Mr. Schmitt.

Opinion:
EOSSMAN, J.
The assignments of error relate almost entirely to the disposition made by the trial court of pure questions of fact. The transcript of testimony covers 181 pages; the exhibits consist of a number of documents. We have carefully read and fully considered the transcript of testimony and the documentary exhibits; in so doing we had the benefit of the lower court's findings of fact and conclusions of law, together with a copy of his oral decision covering fourteen additional pages of the transcript, wherein he analyzed and compared the testimony and the contentions advanced by the respective parties. It is apparent from the transcript that the trial judge took a commendable part in the trial of the case, asking many questions of both witnesses and attorneys so as to assure himself of a correct understanding of the issues and of the evidence. He saw the witnesses and their demeanor on the stand; he was in a better position than we are to weigh the evidence. Nevertheless we have carefully analyzed the evidence and have come to the same conclusion as the trial judge. We do not believe that we would perform a service of much value to the parties, nor to the Oregon Eeports if we should set forth at length our comparison and analysis of the testimony. Particularly defendant contended that the plaintiff, acting in his own behalf and that of other members of his family, agreed to take shares of capital stock in lieu of cash. The lower court found that a meeting of the minds of the parties had not actually occurred; that the words spoken were preliminary and in the nature of negotiations, and that the parties had not pursued the matter to the point where they agreed upon the details. We are in accord with this conclusion.
Defendant offered in evidence some documents purporting to be the minutes of a special meeting of the stockholders held September 19, 1922; also a document purporting to be the minutes of a special meeting of the board of directors held on the same day. These minutes were not kept in any book, but were upon loose sheets of paper. The two sheets purporting to be minutes of the stockholders' meeting bear a blank space for the signature of the president and secretary; neither official, however, attached his signature. This set of minutes recites that the following resolution was submitted for the approval of stockholders; that is, that the corporation is indebted to the plaintiff in excess of the amount of money that it has on hand, and "Whereas, the said Henry Linster is a heavy stockholder in the company and has proposed that he be paid in stock of the company," concludes with a resolution for an increase in the capital stock; the minutes show that the plaintiff was present and voted "aye," but as we have observed the document is not authenticated with the signature of anyone. The minutes of the meeting of the directors bears the signature of both the secretary and of the president. It authorizes an increase in the capital stock of the corporation, but makes no reference to the matter of plaintiff accepting stock in place of money. There is no recital in any of the minutes we have before us to the effect that they were read at some subsequent meeting and •approved either by the plaintiff, by a committee, by the stockholders or by the directors. The minutes of the stockholders' meeting do not state that the foregoing resolution was in writing. The plaintiff contends that he authorized no proposal of the character mentioned in the minutes; that his proposition was to have the corporation sell stock, thereby raise cash and thus enable the corporation to discharge his claims. If the records of the corporation showed that the plaintiff acquiesced at any time in the correctness of recitals contained in the minutes, the latter would thereby become exalted to an admission of a very high character; indeed he might even be estopped to offer testimony out of harmony with the recitals in the minutes. Under the circumstances it is possible that the secretary may not have correctly transcribed what actually took place. Frequently those officiating as secretaries at such gatherings are not expert shorthand reporters; in some instances they undertake later to transcribe from recollection the matters that took place. There is no evidence when this document was written, although the secretary of the corporation as a witness testified it correctly set forth what transpired at the meeting. The defendant had the burden of satisfying the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the agreement it relies upon was entered into, and that the parties carried their negotiations to the point where their minds met; that is, that the plaintiff agreed to accept and the defendant agreed to deliver a certain amount of capital stock in discharge of his various claims. We do not believe that a preponderance of the evidence supports this plea.
It is to be observed that the minutes of the directors' meeting do not recite that the plaintiff made an offer and the directors on behalf of the corporation accepted it. It is true that the power of authorizing an increase in the capital stock reposes in the stockholders (Section 6877, Or. L.), but the business affairs of the corporations are conducted by the directors: Section 6867, Or. L. If we are justified in believing that the plaintiff offered to take shares of capital stock in lieu of money, yet as we have just seen, the records do not show the corporation ac cepted Ms offer at the time. But the defendant contends that it actually increased its capital stock from $25,000 to $30,000. There is, however, no evidence that it tendered the plaintiff any of this additional stock: under the circumstances a tender would he necessary: "Williston on Contracts, §832. The lower court committed no error. Below the answer was treated as equitable. The decree entered below is affirmed. Plaintiff may have costs. Appirmed.
Bean, J., concurs in the result.