Opinion ID: 249262
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Irreparable Damage.

Text: 12 The appellee's proof of irreparable damage was in the nature of proof of its current profits at the current yield of 18.44 cents on the average for 1958 sales. It proved a net profit of $19,741.10 before taxes, and showed that a cut of each cent in the amount received for the same number of gallons would result in annual profit reduction of $13,248. There was proof by affidavits of the officers of the plaintiff that National Utilities of Gainesville is unable to compete with General Gas Corporation at a retail market of 13½¢ per gallon and 13¢ per gallon; our break even point is about 16¢ per gallon net, General Gas Corporation's price discrimination by cutting liquified petroleum gas to 15¢ per gallon, 14¢ per gallon, 13½¢ per gallon and 13¢ per gallon [the cut complained of was to 15½¢ less 2 cents for 10 days payment] will completely eliminate us as a competitor    Proof by a certified public accountant stated: A reduction in the price of L.P. gas to 123 ½¢ per gallon would result in our immediate irreparable loss to National Utilities of Gainesville, Inc. and would force the corporation out of business. (Emphasis added.) 13 However, and most significantly, it must be noted that National Utilities offered proof by its other competitors, who asserted that they could compete on the basis of a price of 15¢. Gene Latham, president of L. & L. Gas Company, operating in five counties, including one in this trade area, furnished an affidavit for the plaintiff below in which he said, L. & L. Gas Company cannot operate its business at a price less than approximately 15¢ per gallon    D. J. Whitmire, treasurer of Southland Butane, Inc., a competitor in 4 counties, said: Southland Butane, Inc. cannot operate its business at a price less than approximately 15¢ per gallon    J. Hoyt Crow, vice-president and general manager of Woodstock Gas & Coal Company, which competes with both the parties to this litigation in Forsyth County, said: My company cannot compete with General Gas Corporation at such cut prices [allegedly 13¢]. We cannot make money and stay in business at less than 15¢ per gallon. 14 To look briefly at the other side, we find proof offered by General 3 that it can and did, during the months of June and July make a profit from the sales at 17¢ less two cents and 15½¢ less two cents; that not more than forty percent of the customers will avail themselves of the two cents discount for payment within ten days; that specifically, during the month of July, 1959, when appellant had in effect a price of fifteen and one-half cents, less two cents, its sales price averaged 14.79¢ per gallon. This estimate of the percent of purchasers who would take advantage of the two cents cash discount is not controverted. It would seem, therefore, that the net average price per gallon with which National would have to compete is approximately 14¾¢. Three of plaintiff's witnesses testified they could compete at approximately 15¢ and one that it was unable to meet General Gas Corporation's price cutting below 14¢ per gallon net. 15 In view of the fact that the period of delay pending trial was some nine months, and, if plaintiff sought to meet the quoted price, it might receive 14¾¢ net on the average, and in light of the testimony of the other competitors who could compete at a figure closely approximating this price, it appears that the proof of irreparable damage to the plaintiff was weak at best. 16