Varley v. Wayne Oil Tank & Pump Co.

LEHMAN, J. [1] The plaintiff has obtained an order for the examination of the defendant through a person who is alleged to be its manager. The moving affidavit shows affirmatively that the alleged manager has no personal knowledge in regard to the matters upon which he is to be examined, and the purpose of the examination is concededly only to obtain the production of the records of the defendant company, so that they may be offered in evidence under subdivision 7, section 872, of the Code. I think that it is well established that on an examination of an adverse party before trial the books of the party may ordinarily be used only to refresh the witness’ recollection. Matter of Sands, 98 App. Div. 148, 90 N. Y. Supp. 749. This rule applies to an examination of a corporation, as well as the examination of an individual, except in so far as the Legislature has seen fit to provide a different rule for the examination of corporations. In the amendment to subdivision 7 of section 872 of the Code by chapter 781, Laws of 1911, the Legislature has provided that the order of examination of a corporation shall direct the production of books and papers as to which an inspection is desired, and "on such examination the books or papers or any part thereof may be offered and received in evidence in addition to the use thereof by the witness to refresh his memory.” In the present case, however, the order does not direct the production of any books, and the plaintiff seeks to obtain their production by a subpoena duces tecum. Consequently the statute relied upon by the plaintiff has no application. There can be no question that the Legislature intended and provided that the books of a corporation must be produced for examination, and for inspection, and for admission in evidence only in those cases where the judge has so ordered. [157] [2] Moreover, the affidavit of the person designated as manager states that he is only in charge of the sales office in New York, but has no discretion or authority to accept orders, that the main office of the corporation is in Albany, and that all the sales offices in the state of. New York are under the supervision of the Albany office. If it be true that the sales office in New York is not the principal place of business of the corporation in the state of New York, and that the manager of the office in New York has no general authority or discretion, and even within his limited powers is under the supervision of the main office, then he is not a “managing agent” within the meaning of the statute. See Beck v. North Packing & Provision Co., 159 App. Div. 418, 144 N. Y. Supp. 602. Order is therefore reversed, with $10 costs and disbursements, and motion to vacate the order of examination is granted, with $10 costs. WHITAKER, J., concurs. PENDLETON, J., concurs in the result.