Case Name: Moris Shapiro, Respondent, v. Jacob Jacoves, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1896-11
Citations: 18 Misc. 473
Docket Number: 
Parties: Moris Shapiro, Respondent, v. Jacob Jacoves, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 473–474

Head Matter:
Moris Shapiro, Respondent, v. Jacob Jacoves, Appellant.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Term,
November, 1896.)
Conversion — Identification of articles.
In an action for conversion of a portion of certain tailors’ cloths, delivered on an agreement that they were to be returned unless sold, where the goods consist of small pieces and remnants, it is not necessary for plaintiff to particularly specify in his demand or show on the trial the identical pieces or remnants so converted. It is sufficient if he specify the value of all the goods sold, amount of cash received as payments, value of goods returned, and that the balance represented the value of the goods not accounted for.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the justice of the Fifth District Court in favor of the plaintiff for $191.52 damages, besides costs. The action is for conversion of certain tailors’ cloths, parts of lots delivered to the defendant upon his agreement to pay for or return the same.
Jacob Manheim, for appellant.
Moses H. Grossman, Michael Schaap, Friend, House & Grossman, for respondents.

Opinion:
Daly, P. J.
The terms upon which the defendants received the goods from the plaintiff were disputed, but the justice has found in favor of the plaintiff's version of the transaction upon sufficient testimony and there is no preponderance the other way in favor of the" defendant. We, therefore, cannot disturb the finding of fact in that respect and we are to assume that the defendant agreed to return, upon demand, such of the goods as were not sold. A demand was made upon him at the time that he still had in his possession certain of the goods. What the amount and value of those goods were, whether the plaintiff received them upon such demand, or whether the defendant withheld them were also questions of fact which have been determined upon conflicting evidence in plaintiff's favor. The plaintiff swore that the value of the goods not returned was $191.52. Much stress was laid by the defendant upon the fact that the plaintiff rendered two bills showing the balance due him to be $162:76, and also upon-the fact that in the bill of particulars a credit of $191.40 is allowed for -goods returned instead of for cash paid,' in accordance with the facts. The plaintiff was not concluded by any error in the bills rendered, and has not recovered for any greater amount than the limit of his bill of particulars. It.was objected that he did not specify the goods which he demanded, and which he alleged to have been converted, but.it appears that the balance for which judgment was allowed represented the value of the goods which were not returned, although the 'specific items of such goods were not given. As they consisted of small pieces and remnants, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the plaintiff to show, with particularity, what remnants and pieces the defendant had on hand at the time of the demand. He did show the total value of the consignments, the amount of cash received as payments, the value of the goods allowed for as returned, and that the balance represented the value of the goods not accounted for. It was within defendant's power,, as he had possession' of the goods and knew, what he had sold and what he had on hand, to have shown what the plaintiff was entitled to reclaim, and as. he did not do' so by satisfactory proof, he cannot complain of the finding against him.
McAdam and Bischoee, JJ., concur.
Judgment affirmed,, with costs.