Case Name: HARLEY v. READING FINANCE & SECURITIES CO.
Court: United States Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1911-01-06
Citations: 183 F. 1023
Docket Number: No. 1,142
Parties: HARLEY v. READING FINANCE & SECURITIES CO.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 183
Pages: 1023–1023

Head Matter:
HARLEY v. READING FINANCE & SECURITIES CO.
(Circuit Court, S. E. D. Pennsylvania.
January 6, 1911.)
No. 1,142.
On Motion for New Trial and Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict.
Harry F.Kantner and Alex. Simpson, Jr., for plaintiff. Oliver Lentz, Elwood H. Deysher, and John G. Johnson, for defendant.

Opinion:
J. B. MCPHERSON, District Judge.
The evidence in this case was in direct conflict upon the vital point, namely, whether the shares of stock which the company admitted having sold to the plaintiff were in the company's possession as collateral security for his notes, or merely as a matter of business convenience. The jury has settled this question in the plaintiff's favor, and, in view of the amount and quality of the evidence, I do not feel justified in disturbing the verdict. The motion for a new trial is therefore refused. The motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is also refused. The evidence in support of the plaintiff's theory was direct and positive. Part of it was oral and part in writing; and I do not see how the court could possibly take the question from the jury. To the refusal of this motion an exception is granted to the defendant.