Philip Hano & Co. v. Heller

PAGE, J. The plaintiffs rested, having failed to prove its cause of action, and judgment absolute was given for the defendant against the plaintiffs. The judgment should have been directed dismissing the complaint without prejudice to a new action. Municipal Court Act (Laws 1902, c. 580) § 248, subd. 4; Ætna Life Ins. Co. v. Duparquet H. & M. Co., 53 Misc. Rep. 581, 103 N. Y. Supp. 800; Egyptian Flag Cigarette Co. v. Comisky, 40 Misc. Rep. 236, 81 N. Y. Supp. 673; Kieffer v. Met. St. Ry. Co., 31 Misc. Rep. 780, 65 N. Y. Supp. 228; Merkin v. Gersh, 30 Misc. Rep. 758, 63 N. Y. Supp. 75. There is no merit in respondent’s contention that this judgment was authorized if "the court believed that the plaintiffs could not recover as a matter of law. As shown by the authority he cites, Bowen v. Farley, 113 App. Div. 767, 99 N. Y. Supp. 205, such judgment is only authorized “where, at the close of the whole case, the court is of opinion that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover as a matter of law.” Municipal Court Act, § 249, subd. 1. Had defendant introduced any evidence, or rested his case without introducing evidence, there would have been some merit in his position. There were no errors committed on the trial that require a reversal of the judgment. Therefore the judgment should be modified, by directing that the complaint be dismissed, with costs, without prejudice to a new action, and, as modified, affirmed, without costs of this appeal,to either party. All concur.