Title: Reger v. Preston
Citation: 420 P.2d 779, 77 N.M. 196
Docket Number: 7972
State: new-mexico
Issuer: new-mexico Supreme Court
Date: November 7, 1966

420 P.2d 779 (1966) 77 N.M. 196 Sara Engh REGER (formerly Sara Engh) a minor, by Steven Reger, her husband and next friend, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Charlie marlow PRESTON and Charles Marlowe Preston, Defendants-Appellees. No. 7972. Supreme Court of New Mexico. November 7, 1966. Rehearing Denied December 12, 1966. *780 Bigbee &amp; Byrd, G. Stanley Crout, Santa Fe, for appellant. Catron &amp; Catron, Thomas A. Donnelly, Santa Fe, for appellees. MOISE, Justice. This is an appeal from an order dismissing plaintiff's amended complaint pursuant to Rule 41(e), New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure (§ 21-1-1(41) (e), N.M.S.A. 1953). In the order of dismissal the court made the following findings: Plaintiff contends that running of the statute should be tolled because of the non-availability of a jury. Plaintiff further contends that numerous letters between counsel for plaintiff and the trial judge should be considered in determining whether the plaintiff has exercised diligence *781 in bringing this cause to a final determination within the two-year limit. We have heard and rejected these arguments many times and fail to see how this case is distinguishable from our previous decisions. Western Timber Products Co. v. W.S. Ranch Co., 69 N.M. 108, 364 P.2d 361, and Trujillo v. Harris, 75 N.M. 683, 410 P.2d 401, provide a complete answer contrary to plaintiff's position on the question of tolling of time because a jury was not available. Similarly, the argument concerning correspondence between the court and counsel has been held unavailing to this end in Trujillo v. Harris, supra; Lovato v. Hicks, 75 N.M. 611, 409 P.2d 130; Sarikey v. Sandoval, 75 N.M. 271, 404 P.2d 108; State ex rel. City of Las Cruces v. McManus, 75 N.M. 267, 404 P.2d 106; Featherstone v. Hanson, 65 N.M. 398, 338 P.2d 298. We do not perceive that the fact that the correspondence was received in evidence at the hearing on the motion to dismiss and is shown in the bill of exceptions in any way alters the situation or the applicable rules. No findings were made or requested on the question of diligence as allegedly reflected by the letters. Accordingly, we may not review them. Gillit v. Theatre Enterprises, Inc., 71 N.M. 31, 375 P.2d 580. Compare Marley v. City of Truth or Consequences, 73 N.M. 484, 389 P.2d 603; Western Timber Products Co. v. W.S. Ranch Co., supra. By nothing which we have here said concerning the failure to request or obtain findings based on the correspondence do we wish to be understood as implying that if findings of diligence based on the letters had been made, the result would have been different. We pass consideration of that problem until it is properly before us. However, see Sarikey v. Sandoval, supra. In that case certain proof had been tendered and refused. We there said: Also see Briesmeister v. Medina, 76 N.M. 606, 417 P.2d 208. Plaintiff also argues that dismissal of the case wherein a jury trial had been demanded resulted in a violation of her constitutional rights as guaranteed in Art. II, § 12, of the Constitution of New Mexico. The record does not disclose that the question was raised or passed on below and, accordingly, it will not be considered here. The situation is very similar to that present in State Highway Commission v. Southern Union Gas Co., 65 N.M. 217, 334 P.2d 1118, and the rule there applied is controlling here. Finding no error, the judgment appealed from is affirmed. It is so ordered. CARMODY, C.J., and CHAVEZ and COMPTON, JJ., concur. WOOD, Judge, Court of Appeals (dissenting). Section 21-1-1(41) (e), N.M.S.A. 1953, does not state that only matters in the court file are to be considered in ruling on a motion to dismiss. Whether the party opposing the motion claims inability to comply (the negative aspect, see Ringle Development Corp. v. Chavez, 51 N.M. 156, 180 P.2d 790) or diligence that is compliance *782 (the positive aspect, see Featherstone v. Hanson, 65 N.M. 398, 338 P.2d 298), the motion is to be decided on the basis of what is "made to appear" to the trial court. How is anything "made to appear" to the trial court? By pleadings, motions, testimony, exhibits, admissions, etc. Whatever is presented to the court, it becomes a part of the record. In considering the rule, Ringle referred to "the record." However, Featherstone limited that which could be considered to the court file, or record proper. Section 21-2-1(13), N.M.S.A. 1953. This limitation has been imposed as a matter of practice. Sarikey v. Sandoval, 75 N.M. 271, 404 P.2d 108. In this case, plaintiff wrote letters to the trial court requesting that the case be heard. The trial judge answered those letters. In court for docket call at opening of term, plaintiff orally requested a trial setting. These requests were made before the motion to dismiss was filed. This court has held that a motion requesting a trial setting which appears in the court file prior to the motion to dismiss is sufficient to prevent dismissal under the rule. Procter v. Fez Club, 76 N.M. 241, 414 P.2d 219. Plaintiff's requests to the trial judge show more diligence than is shown by a motion for trial setting which is filed but not brought to the court's attention. The rule states that it is to be applied on the basis of what is "made to appear" to the trial court. Under the rule the trial court should permit evidence to be introduced on the question of dismissal, and from that evidence, should determine as a fact whether there has been compliance or inability to comply. I would remand this case to the trial court to determine, as a fact, whether there should be a dismissal. The majority follow the limitation imposed by Featherstone. Being of the opinion that plaintiff was not limited to the record proper in opposing the motion to dismiss. I dissent.