Case Name: Adolph Dressler, Respondent, v. Thomas McArdle and Independent Taxi Owners Association, Appellants
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1914-05
Citations: 85 Misc. 444
Docket Number: 
Parties: Adolph Dressler, Respondent, v. Thomas McArdle and Independent Taxi Owners Association, Appellants.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 85
Pages: 444–445

Head Matter:
Adolph Dressler, Respondent, v. Thomas McArdle and Independent Taxi Owners Association, Appellants.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Term, First Department,
May, 1914.)
Corporations—'membership— affixing initials of corporation to cabs not a representation that they are owned or operated by corporation— liability for tortious acts of owners.
The fact that a membership corporation composed of the owners of taxicabs permits such owners to affix the initials and name of such corporation to individual cabs is not a representation that it owns or operates them, and does not render the corporation liable for the tortious acts of said owners while operating their taxicabs.
Appeal by the defendants from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, first district, rendered in favor of plaintiff for $250 damages and costs, entered after a trial by the court.
Thompson, Warren & Pelgram (Moses Allen Warren, of counsel), for appellants.
Samuel A. Langfur, for respondent.

Opinion:
Guy, J.
This action, to recover for personal injuries sustained from being run down by a taxicab, is brought against the individual owner thereof as well as against the Independent Taxi Owners Association, a membership corporation, of which the taxicab owner was a member.
There is abundant evidence to sustain the judgment against the individual defendant McArdle. As to the defendant corporation, the evidence shows it is a membership corporation composed of the owners of taxicabs. The fact that it permits its members to affix its initials and name to their cabs is not a representation that it owns or operates the cabs of its members, and no more establishes liability for their tortious acts than would the permitted use of the flag or emblem of a yacht club or university create liability for the acts of members using such emblems.
Judgment reversed and complaint dismissed, with costs to defendant corporation; judgment affirmed, with costs, as to defendant McArdle.
Bijur and Pendleton, JJ., concur.
Judgment reversed, with costs, to defendant corporation; judgment affirmed, with costs, as to defendant McArdle.