Case Name: ALLEN v. THE PEOPLE'S AMUSEMENT CO.
Court: Oregon Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Oregon
Decision Date: 1917-09-11
Citations: 85 Or. 636
Docket Number: 
Parties: ALLEN v. THE PEOPLE’S AMUSEMENT CO.
Judges: Mr. Chief Justice McBride, Mr. Justice Bean and Mr. Justice Harris concur.
Reporter: Oregon Reports
Volume: 85
Pages: 636–638

Head Matter:
Argued September 5,
affirmed September 11,
rehearing denied October 3, 1917.
ALLEN v. THE PEOPLE’S AMUSEMENT CO.
(167 Pac. 272.)
Pleading — Demurrer—Misjoinder—Contract and Tort;
1. A complaint, pleading separately (1) an alleged breach of contract arising out of the purchase of tickets to a theater, and (2) removal to the lobby by the use of force and violence, was demurrable in view of Section 68, L. O. L., making a demurrer the method of attacking a misjoinder of causes of action.
From Multnomah: George N. Davis, Judge.
Action by William D. Allen against The People’s Amusement Company, a corporation, in which a demurrer to the complaint was sustained and plaintiff refusing to amend, judgment was rendered dismissing the action and plaintiff appeals. Affirmed.
Department 1. Statement by Mr. Justice Benson.
This is an action wherein plaintiff seeks to recover damages by reason of the fact that after having purchased tickets of general admission to defendant’s playhouse he and his wife, who were colored people, were not permitted to occupy seats on the ground floor, but were directed to seat themselves in the gallery. When they refused to do so, it is alleged that they were removed to the lobby of the theater by the use of force and violence. The complaint sets out two causes of action, pleaded separately, the first being based upon the alleged breach of the contract arising out of the purchase of the tickets; and the second is founded upon assault and battery. Defendant demurred to the complaint upon the ground that several causes of action are improperly united. The demurrer having been sustained, plaintiff declined to plead further and a judgment was entered dismissing the action. Plaintiff appeals.
Affirmed.
For appellant there was a brief and an oral argument by Mr. McCants Stewart.
For respondent there was a brief over the name of Messrs. Bernstein & Cohen, with an oral argument by Mr. D. Solis Cohen.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Benson
delivered the opinion of the court.
Plaintiff's counsel in a very able and interesting argument discusses many questions which are not before us. If the demurrer was properly sustained it is neither necessary nor proper for us to go further than to so declare. By Section 68, L. O. L., a demurrer is made the method of attacking a misjoinder of causes of action. The complaint contains a demand for relief based upon a breach of contract, and another upon assault and battery which is, of course, a tort. In Smith v. Day, 39 Or. 531, 537 (65 Pac. 1055), Mr. Justice Wolverton says:
"It is so well settled that an action on contract cannot be united with one arising ex delicto that it does not require a citation of authorities to support the proposition."
The demurrer was properly sustained and the judgment is affirmed. Affirmed.
Mr. Chief Justice McBride, Mr. Justice Bean and Mr. Justice Harris concur.
Rehearing denied October 3, 1917.