Case Name: McGovern, Trustee, Appellant, vs. Kraus and wife, imp., Respondents
Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Decision Date: 1927-04-05
Citations: 192 Wis. 564
Docket Number: 
Parties: McGovern, Trustee, Appellant, vs. Kraus and wife, imp., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wisconsin Reports
Volume: 192
Pages: 564–565

Head Matter:
McGovern, Trustee, Appellant, vs. Kraus and wife, imp., Respondents.
March 10
April 5, 1927.
For the appellant there were briefs by Grady, Farnsworth & Walker of Portage, and oral argument by Daniel H. Grady. ,
For the respondents there was a brief by Kopp & Brunck-horst of Platteville, and oral argument by A. W. Kopp.

Opinion:
Crownhart, J.
This case involves the same complaint considered in the same entitled case, decided herewith in an opinion by Mr. Justice Doerfler {ante, p. 558). Here there is a demurrer by the respondents, Kraus, to the second and third causes of action sought to be stated in the complaint against said defendants. The circuit court entered an order sustaining the demurrers, and plaintiff appeals.
The question presented is whether or not the respondents, Kraus, have an interest in the second cause of action sufficient to constitute them necessary or proper parties defendant therein. As to the third alleged cause of action, we have held in the companion case cited that no cause of action was stated, and that disposes of that contention. Also, we have held in the companion case cited that the plaintiff, as trustee in bankruptcy, succeeded to all the rights of the defendants Kraus. It follows that the defendants Kraus, having no interest in the property, have no interest in the causes of action. No relief is demanded in the two causes of action against such defendants.
It is contended by the appellant that the defendants Kraus are proper parties though not necessary parties, for two reasons: first, that if plaintiff prevails, the estate of the trustee may be so enhanced as to make possible a residuum for the bankrupt after payment of all creditors; and second, that the plaintiff has the right to make the Krauses parties in order to secure to the trustee the right of adverse examination of them. These contentions are inconsistent. As to the first contention it should be said that the trustee represents both the creditors and the bankrupt in conserving the estate, and on the second contention it is inconsistent to claim any interest in the estate by the Krauses and at the same time to charge that they are adverse parties to the action.
On the second contention of appellant, reliance is had on Ryan v. Olson, 183 Wis. 290, 197 N. W. 727. An examination of that case reveals the fact that the defendant, Olson, was an adverse party as a matter of fact, and the circumstances were quite different than in the instant case. It was not there held that a person could be made a party defendant who had parted with all interest in the subject of the action, simply to aid in discovery as an adverse witness. In the Ryan Case, supra, it was held that judgment for damages might be rendered against the defendant, Olson, which made him á proper party, and the complaint alleged that the defendant had an interest in the cause of action adverse to plaintiff. Here there can be no judgment against the Krauses, and there is no allegation of adverse interests in them.
By the Court. — The order of- the circuit court is affirmed.