Opinion
No. 7,405.
Submitted September 23, 1935.
Decided October 30, 1935.
Libel — Letter Advising Holders of Fire Insurance Policies That Agent No Longer Connected With Company — Evidence — Insufficiency — Nonsuit — Appeal and Error — Briefs — Specifications of Error — What Sufficient. Appeal and Error — Briefs — General Specifications of Error — What Sufficient. 1. General specifications in appellant's brief that the court erred in sustaining motion for nonsuit and in entering judgment for defendant, held a sufficient compliance with subdivision 3-c, Rule X of the Rules of the Supreme Court, the reasons for charging error in that behalf being properly left to argument in the brief and oral argument on submission of the case. (Holding in Rogness v. Northern Pacific Ry. Co., 59 Mont. 373, to contrary, overruled.) Same — Assignments of Error — When Deemed Waived. 2. Assignments of error not argued orally or in the brief of appellant will be deemed waived and therefore not considered by the supreme court. Trial — Nonsuit — Directed Verdict — When Only Cause to be Withdrawn from Jury. 3. A case should never be withdrawn from the jury unless it appears as a matter of law that a recovery cannot be had upon any view of the facts which the evidence reasonably tends to establish. Libel — When Nonsuit Proper. 4. The rule that where there is no evidence in support of plaintiff's case, or the evidence is so unsubstantial that the trial court would feel compelled to set aside a verdict for plaintiff, a nonsuit should be granted, applies to actions for libel, since the constitutional provision that the jury in such actions shall determine the law and the facts does not require the court to abdicate its jurisdiction, as to matters of pleading and practice, to the jury. Same — Issuance of Circular Letter by Fire Insurance Company That State Agent No Longer Connected With Company — Evidence — Insufficiency. 5. In an action for libel against a fire insurance company for which plaintiff had acted as general state agent under contract, based on a circular letter addressed to its policy-holders that the agency had been transferred to another, which letter was alleged to have been sent maliciously and with the intent to injure plaintiff in his business, held that the evidence was insufficient to go to the jury and that, therefore, the court properly directed a nonsuit. Same — What Constitutes Libel. 6. Under the law of libel, if the publication is false and unprivileged, the publisher is liable regardless of his good faith, worthy motives or the utmost faith in the belief that the statement was true; but no publication which is not false, and no privileged communication is libel. Same — When Malice must be Shown. 7. To found liability for libel upon a communication prima facie privileged, actual and not implied malice must be shown. Same — Libel Per Se — Definition. 8. Libel per se, meaning by itself, has reference to words which are actionable because they, of themselves and without anything more, are opprobrious; to be actionable, the words must be susceptible of but the one meaning. Same — When Publication Having Tendency to Injure Person in Business or Occupation Libelous Per Se. 9. In an action for libel brought under the last clause of section 5690, Revised Codes 1921, which declares libel to be a false and unprivileged publication which has a tendency to injure a person in his occupation, it is immaterial whether the publication contains opprobrious statements or not; if the language necessarily causes damage to the person concerning whose affairs it is published, it is libelous per se. (Holding in Lemmer v. The Tribune, 50 Mont. 559, to the contrary, overruled.) Same — When Publication Libelous Per Se — Burden of Proof. 10. Under the last above rule, held that a circular letter addressed by a fire insurance company to its policy-holders that its former agent was no longer such and that the agency had been transferred to another had a tendency to injure the displaced agent in his occupation of writing fire insurance and constituted libel per se if the publication was false and unprivileged; the burden of proving that it was false and unprivileged was upon plaintiff. Same — Absence of Proof Showing Falsity of Publication — Nonsuit Proper. 11. Evidence of plaintiff introduced for the purpose of showing that his contract of agency with defendant company had not been terminated at the time of the sending out of the circular letter alleged to have constituted libel, reviewed and held to have warranted a finding that the contract was terminated by mutual consent or by a written notice of plaintiff in effect stating that he would no longer be bound by it, and that therefore, the falsity of the publication having failed of proof, the court was warranted in directing a nonsuit. Fire Insurance — Renewals of Policies — Contract of Agency — When Contract not Power Coupled With an Interest. 12. Where a fire insurance agent terminates his contract of agency with or without the consent of his principal for the purpose of serving a rival company, his right incident to renewals of policies which he was instrumental in writing and the commissions flowing therefrom may not be said, either by law or custom, to remain in the agent; under such a state of facts his contract, so terminated, does not constitute a power coupled with an interest. Libel — Alleged Libelous Publication — When Privileged. 13. A circular letter issued by an insurance company advising its policy-holders of the discontinuance of the agency of plaintiff held a conditionally privileged publication, since it was mailed on an occasion which furnished a prima facie legal excuse for its issuance, and could therefore be held libelous only on a showing of actual malice. Same — Question of Malice — Question of Sufficiency of Evidence Relating to Malice for Court. 14. Though the question of presence or absence of malice is for the jury in a libel action, in determining whether or not a nonsuit should be ordered the question whether there is any evidence of malice sufficient to be submitted to the jury is for the trial judge. Same — Malice — Absence of Evidence Showing Malice — Nonsuit Proper. 15. Since "malice" imports a wish to vex, annoy or injure another, in the absence of evidence that the circular letter mentioned above, prepared by the home office of defendant company and mailed by its local agent, made codefendant in a libel action, the latter acting on instructions from his principal, was for a malicious purpose, plaintiff was properly nonsuited. Same — Privileged Communication — When Question for Court. 16. Where the facts and circumstances under which an alleged libelous publication was made are undisputed, the question of privilege, within the law of libel, is one of law for the trial court.
Appeal from District Court, Silver Bow County; Frank L. Riley, Judge.
Mr. S.C. Ford, Mr. H.L. Maury and Mr. A.G. Shone, for Appellant, submitted a brief; Mr. Ford and Mr. Maury argued the cause orally.
Mr. J.A. Poore, for Respondents, submitted a brief and argued the cause orally.
Special damages are particularly pleaded and clearly proven in the case at bar. However, we deny that where, as in this state, the jury are the judges of both law and fact, falsehood, even though not defamatory, if maliciously circulated, by writing, is not actionable without proof of special damage or loss of business. In Lemmer v. The Tribune, 50 Mont. 559, 148 P. 338, it is said that the wilful malicious publication that a man in business had died is not actionable without alleging and proving actual loss of business. The decision is wrong; it should be eradicated from the law of Montana, as far as it held that the complaint did not state a cause of action. This would bring Montana in line with the English rule. However, the complaint at bar was sufficient under the Lemmer doctrine. ( Morasse v. Brochu, 152 Mass. 567, 25 N.E. 74, 21 Am. St. Rep. 474, 8 L.R.A. 524.)
When the language is susceptible of two meanings, the one slanderous or libelous, the other not, it is for the jury to determine in what sense it was used. ( D'Autremont v. McDonald, 56 Mont. 522, 185 P. 707; Daniel v. Moncure, 58 Mont. 193, 190 P. 983; Manley v. Harer, 73 Mont. 253, 235 P. 757.)
Instructions as to the libelous character of a publication are advisory only, and may be disregarded by the jury, who are made the judges of the law and facts by the Constitution. (Art. III, sec. 10; Harrington v. Butte Miner Co., 48 Mont. 550, 139 P. 451, Ann. Cas. 1915D, 1257, 51 L.R.A. (n.s.) 369.)
"It has been held that an imputation, when false, and when made for the express purpose of injuring plaintiff in his profession, and when such injury actually follows as the probable and natural result of the speaking of the words, will support an action, even though it may not be technically an action for slander, if the words are not defamatory." (36 C.J. 1181, 1182, note 18; 151 Mass. 567, 25 N.E. 74, 8 L.R.A. 524; Slander of a Corporation, see 37 C.J. 11, note 51-55; Loss of Privilege, 36 C.J. 1218; Motive Presumed, sec. 10991, Rev. Codes 1921.)
"Punitive damages may be given for libel, where there was actual malice or a reckless disregard of plaintiff's rights." ( Paxton v. Woodward, 31 Mont. 195, 78 P. 215, 107 Am. St. Rep. 416, 3 Ann. Cas. 546.)
"Words written of one's trade or business may be libelous when they might not be so if spoken of the individual simply." ( Minter v. Bradstreet Co., 174 Mo. 444, 73 S.W. 668.)
"No one shall, without legal excuse, publish language concerning another or his affairs which shall occasion him damage. In other words, every publication of language concerning a man or his affairs which as a necessary or natural and proximate consequence occasions pecuniary loss to him is prima facie a slander or libel." (Townshend on Slander Libel, 58; Dobbin v. Chicago, R.I. P.R. Co., 157 Mo. App. 689, 138 S.W. 682; Wright v. Coules, 4 Cal.App. 343, 87 P. 809; Harman v. Delany, 2 Strange, 898; Aronivici v. Salant, 83 Misc. 621, 146 N.Y. Supp. 527; Starkie on Slander Libel, sec. 188; Bartlett v. Federal Outfitting Co., 133 Cal.App. 747, 24 P.2d 877.)
"Besides the publications mentioned (having reference to those libelous per se) any untrue and malicious charge which is published in writing or print is libelous when damages are shown to have resulted as a natural and proximate consequence." (Cooley on Torts, 242; American Ins. Co. v. France, 111 Ill. 382, 383; Hollenbeck v. Ristine, 105 Iowa, 488, 75 N.W. 355, 67 Am. St. Rep. 306; Lombard v. Lennox, 155 Mass. 70, 28 N.E. 1125, 31 Am. St. Rep. 528; Hammond v. Hussey, 51 N.H. 40, 12 Am. Rep. 41; Harrison v. Burger, 212 Ala. 670, 103 So. 842.)
In the law of libel, the subject may be privileged, while the communication may not be. ( National Cash R. Co. v. Salling, 173 Fed. 22, 97 C.C.A. 334.) "To be privileged a publication must be by and to only those who have a right or interest in the subject. The publication must be of a character, and made without malice in a manner and on an occasion to properly serve the right, duty, or interest of the parties, and not to needlessly injure another." ( Briggs v. Brown, 55 Fla. 417, 46 So. 325. See, also, Holmes v. Royal Fraternal Union, 222 Mo. 556, 560, 121 S.W. 100, 26 L.R.A. (n.s.) 1080; Tierney v. Ruppert, 135 N Y Supp. 365.)
The statement in the circular letter of June 22, 1932, was false as a matter of fact but also false in law. The agency could not be terminated until all the policies written had expired, because it was coupled with an interest. Miller had the right to cancel such policies as were written by him for nonpayments of premiums and get back a portion of his payments advanced by him to the company. The "renewals," or goodwill about renewals, were the property of plaintiff. ( National Fire Ins. Co. v. Sullard, 97 App. Div. 233, 89 N.Y. Supp. 934, 937; Alliance Ins. Co. v. City Realty Co., 52 F.2d 271, at p. 276; see, also, 32 C.J. 1078.)
The contract between plaintiff and defendant company was not one coupled with an interest. (49 C.J. 1252, sec. 12; annotation, 64 A.L.R. 380; Boehm v. Spreckels, 183 Cal. 239, 191 P. 5; Halloran-Judge Trust Co. v. Heath, 70 Utah, 124, 258 P. 342, 64 A.L.R. 368; Stier v. Imperial Life Ins. Co., 58 Fed. 843; Andrews v. Travelers Ins. Co., 24 Ky. Law Rep. 844, 70 S.W. 43.)
The publication complained of is not libelous per se. ( Quinn v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 116 Iowa, 522, 90 N.W. 349; Heralds of Liberty v. Rankin, 130 Miss. 698, 94 So. 849; Boynton v. Remington Co., 85 Mass. (3 Allen) 397; Baldwin v. Walser, 41 Mo. App. 243; Hatch v. Lane, 105 Mass. 394.)
It was not only the privilege but the duty of defendant to give notice of termination of agency. Where the authority of an insurance agent is terminated, it is the duty of the insurance company to give notice of the fact to the insured persons who have dealt with him as the agent of the company, and if it fails to do so it is bound by his acts if such person continues to deal with him as the representative of the company, in ignorance of the termination of the agency. (See extensive brief, 14 A.L.R. 846.)
The communication was clearly privileged, under the provisions of subdivision 3 of section 5692, Revised Codes 1921, if made without malice. ( Cooper v. Romney, 49 Mont. 119, 127, 141 P. 289, Ann. Cas. 1916A, 596; Holmes v. Royal Fraternal Union, cited in appellant's brief; Browne v. Prudden-Winslow Co., 195 App. Div. 419, 186 N.Y. Supp. 350.) The privilege does not exist if the publication be malicious. ( Cooper v. Romney, supra; Smith v. Kleinschmidt, 57 Mont. 237, 246, 187 P. 894.) The burden is on the plaintiff to show that the publication is both false and unprivileged. ( Cooper v. Romney, supra.) Whether or not a publication is privileged is a question of law for the court, and not one for the jury. ( Manley v. Harer, 82 Mont. 30, 38, 264 P. 937; Newell on Slander Libel, 2d ed., 391; Odgers on Libel Slander, 5th ed., 229.)
The complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action for the following reasons: (a) It is apparent from a reading of the letter of which complaint is made that it is not actionable per se, and, therefore, the pleader must state the facts which show it to be libelous, and likewise must plead the resulting injury. No facts are pleaded which show the publication to be libelous. ( Manley v. Harer, supra; Lemmer v. Tribune, 50 Mont. 559, 148 P. 338; Campbell v. Post Pub. Co., 94 Mont. 12, 20 P.2d 1063.) (b) No special damages are pleaded which could in any way be said to be a proximate result of the publication complained of or which could be said to reasonably or naturally flow therefrom. ( Laurent v. Van Somple, 161 Wis. 354, 154 N.W. 366; Bartlett v. Federal Outfitting Co., 133 Cal.App. 747, 24 P.2d 877; Butte Floral Co. v. Reed, 65 Mont. 138, at p. 153, 211 P. 325; 37 C.J., sec. 567, p. 117.) The Code definition of "libel" covers utterances tending to injure one in his occupation. The test of the actionable character of such matter is whether the words used directly tend to injure the plaintiff by reason of his relation to his occupation. ( Kee v. Armstrong Bird Co., 75 Okla. 494, 182 P. 494, 5 A.L.R. 1349; Swan v. Thompson, 124 Cal. 193, 56 P. 878; Bates v. Campbell, 213 Cal. 438, 2 P.2d 383; Owens v. Clark, 154 Okla. 108, 6 P.2d 755, 765.)
"But whenever such damages are sought, it is not enough to aver generally that in consequence of the publication the plaintiff has been damaged in his business; the facts showing such damage must be alleged or no cause of action is stated." ( Lemmer v. The Tribune, supra.)
It is contended by counsel for plaintiff that because our Constitution (sec. 10, Art. III), provides "that in all suits and prosecutions for libel, the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and the jury, under the direction of the court, shall determine the law and the facts," the court did not possess the power to direct a nonsuit. This court directly held in the cases following that the trial court possesses such power, when the facts warrant it. ( Cooper v. Romney, supra; Manley v. Harer, supra.) It is the duty of that court to decide upon the sufficiency of the pleadings, the admissibility of testimony, instruct the jury and discharge the other functions devolving upon him down to the final submission of the case to the jury, as in other cases, and correct declarations of legal principles must be given. ( Paxton v. Woodward, 31 Mont. 195, 218, 78 P. 215, 107 Am. St. Rep. 416, 3 Ann. Cas. 546.) In this case there is no evidence whatever that the publication is false, and the court could not do otherwise than to grant the motion.
With reference to the question as to who owned the "Right to Renewals" on a transfer of agency; there is a considerable difference of opinion among the authorities, but it is sufficient here to cite the single case of Arrant v. Georgia Casualty Co., 212 Ala. 309, 102 So. 447, as illustrative of those cases holding that the list of policy expirations belongs to the principal and not to the agent.
The Miller Insurance Agency instituted action for libel against the Home Fire Marine Insurance Company of California and Ray C. Culver, its general agent for Montana. Issue was joined by answer and reply thereto and a trial had. At the close of plaintiff's case the court granted separate motions of the two defendants for nonsuit and thereupon entered judgment dismissing the action.
The plaintiff has appealed from the judgment and makes the following specifications of error: "The court erred in sustaining the motion for nonsuit as to the defendant Home Fire Marine Insurance Company of California. 2. The court erred in sustaining the motion for nonsuit in favor of defendant Ray C. Culver. 3. The court erred in entering judgment for both of the defendants. 4. The court erred in refusing to admit in evidence exhibits for identification Z-1, Z-2, Z-3 and Z-4, respectively, as follows: [The exhibits are set forth with the objection thereto.]" 5. Misconduct of counsel in stating to a witness, "You need not wink one eye at your counsel, but wink with both eyes, and I will see that just as readily," for which the court refused to admonish counsel.
Counsel for defendants asserts that the first three [1] specifications do not conform to rule X, subdivision 3-c, of this court, in that they amount to but general specifications and, therefore, raise no issue for determination. ( Rogness v. Northern Pacific R. Co., 59 Mont. 373, 196 P. 989, 992.) In the Rogness Case this court, after disposing of other questions raised, declared that a general specification that the court erred in denying defendant's motion for a new trial was insufficient, for the reason that there are numerous grounds for a new trial, and such a specification does not advise the court as to what ground the movant relied upon or of any legal question involved. The court closed the discussion with the statement that "for these reasons a general assignment that the court erred in overruling motion for new trial, or in entering judgment, is insufficient to raise any issue," without reference to the requirements of the rule on the subject or the citation of an authority.
In the case of Samuell v. Moore Mercantile Co., 62 Mont. 232, 204 P. 376, 377, the plaintiff made two assignments of error, viz., that the court erred in entering judgment for the defendant and in denying plaintiff's motion for a new trial. This court declared: "Counsel for appellant have disregarded the rules of this court in the most flagrant manner. Neither of the two so-called assignments of error presents any question for review ( Rogness v. Northern Pacific R. Co., 59 Mont. 373, 196 P. 989), and their brief is practically devoid of argument and does not contain the citation of a single authority in support of their position. This court ought not to be called upon to do the work which counsel are employed to do, and with perfect propriety we might affirm the judgment and order without reference to the merits, and justify our decision upon reason and numerous decisions of this court and other courts of last resort." In justice to the appellant, however, the court determined the matter on the merits by "original investigation."
It will be noted that the work the court was required to do was necessitated, not by reason of the general nature of the specifications of error, but by the failure of counsel to show to the court by precept and citation in their brief and by argument wherein the court erred.
We are of the opinion that the correct interpretation had been given to the rule relied upon, long prior to the decision in the Rogness Case, and that this court, in the Samuell Case, stated the correct reason for its declaration that it might with propriety affirm the judgment on the condition of the brief.
Rule X, on the preparation of briefs, declares the necessary content thereof by subdivision 3, again subdivided into a, b, c and d. Subdivision c provides that the brief shall contain "a specification of errors relied upon, which shall be numbered and shall set out separately and particularly each error intended to be urged." The manner in which specifications of error on the reception or rejection of evidence and on the charge of the court is then prescribed. Subdivision d requires "a brief argument, exhibiting a clear statement of the points of law to be discussed * * * and authorities relied upon." These provisions have remained unchanged for more than thirty-five years (Rules promulgated in 1899, 22 Mont. xxvii) and were correctly construed in 1904 ( Nord v. Boston Mont. etc. Min. Co., 30 Mont. 48, 75 P. 681, 683) on the exact question here raised. In the Nord Case this court declared: "There is no requirement that the specification shall set out appellant's reasons why he claims the decision is error. That is purely a matter of argument. It is sufficient under the provisions of this rule, therefore, to simply specify that the court below `committed error in granting the motion for nonsuit.' The rules of the court are not established for the purpose of befogging attorneys, and a reasonable interpretation of them, therefore, should obtain. The purpose of this subdivision of Rule X, above cited, is to require attorneys to specify and point out the errors of which they complain, and not to give their reasons why they complain it is error, and, if more than one error is charged, to number them and set them out separately and particularly."
Except where the rule above requires more, a general specification of error is sufficient as a specification of the error on which appellant relies, leaving the reasons for charging error to the brief of argument and oral argument of counsel. [2] However, although such a specification will be sufficient, if no reference is thereafter made to a specification of error either in the brief or in oral argument, the assignment will be considered waived and will not be given consideration by the court, except, perhaps, in circumstances such as appear in Samuell v. Moore Mercantile Co., supra. ( King v. Pony Gold Min. Co., 28 Mont. 74, 72 P. 309; Lingquist v. Seibold, 62 Mont. 162, 199 P. 709; Burns v. Eminger, 84 Mont. 397, 276 P. 437; Bielenberg v. Higgins, 85 Mont. 56, 277 P. 631.) In so far as the opinion in Rogness v. Northern Pacific R. Co., supra, is in conflict with the foregoing, it is hereby expressly overruled.
The fourth and fifth assignments are not discussed in the brief and were not argued orally; they are, therefore, under the foregoing rule, deemed waived and will not be here considered. It may be noted, however, that they are of little importance on this appeal. The excluded exhibits were merely cumulative and the alleged misconduct of counsel could only be prejudicial on submission of the cause to the jury.
The reasons urged by counsel for the plaintiff in support of their assignment that the court erred in granting the motions for nonsuit and, consequently, in entering judgment for the defendants, stated succinctly, are that the evidence adduced is sufficient to go to the jury and that, as this is a libel case, the jury is the sole judge of the law and the facts.
The rule in this jurisdiction is that a case should never be [3, 4] withdrawn from the jury unless it appears, as a matter of law, that a recovery cannot be had upon any view of the facts which the evidence reasonably tends to establish; but whenever there is no evidence in support of plaintiff's case, or the evidence is so unsubstantial that the court would feel compelled to set aside a verdict, if one should be rendered for the plaintiff, a nonsuit should be granted. ( Loudon v. Scott, 58 Mont. 645, 194 P. 488, 12 A.L.R. 1487; Childers v. Deschamps, 87 Mont. 505, 290 P. 261; Rau v. Northern Pacific R. Co., 87 Mont. 521, 289 P. 580.) This rule applies in actions for libel ( Porak v. Sweitzer's, Inc., 87 Mont. 331, 287 P. 633), as the constitutional provision that "the jury, under the direction of the court, shall determine the law and the facts" (Art. III, sec. 10, Constitution of Montana), indicates no purpose to require the court in such cases to abdicate its jurisdiction, as to matters of pleading and practice, to the jury. ( Paxton v. Woodward, 31 Mont. 195, 78 P. 215, 107 Am. St. Rep. 416, 3 Ann. Cas. 546; Manley v. Harer, 82 Mont. 30, 264 P. 937.)
The evidence on behalf of the plaintiff discloses the [5] following facts: In 1929 the Home Fire Marine Insurance Company entered into a written contract with the Bennetts-Bertoglio Company of Butte, by the terms of which the latter was made the local agent of the former in that community without designating the nature of the business to be transacted as such agent, other than as indicated by the agent's covenants therein contained. It bound the agent "to perform faithfully all duties pertaining to such agency, to observe and carry out the rules and instructions of the company and to further its interests in every lawful way." Therein the agent covenanted that during the term of the agreement it would not, either directly or indirectly, accept any commission on "any business relating to the hazards of fire, lightning, earthquake," etc., which are at variance with those paid by the company, and would not participate in any such insurance business of, nor represent, any company not a member of the Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific, nor solicit or place any such insurance business with or in any such insurance company. The contract provided that it should be in force until either party should "give written notice to the other of the intention of such party to terminate the same."
Thereafter the plaintiff, Miller Insurance Agency, bought out the "agent" and succeeded to its rights and duties under the contract. The plaintiff represented four or five other fire insurance companies, but wrote 75 per cent of the business of the agency in the defendant company. The Miller Insurance Agency is, apparently, the alter ego of C.E. Miller, Jr., of Butte. In March, 1932, the plaintiff "commenced a campaign in Silver Bow county for the selling of insurance at reduced rates," and, after some correspondence and discussion between Miller and the defendant Culver, on June 22, 1932, Culver, in the name of his company, mailed the following circular letter to at least 150 holders of policies, written by the plaintiff, in the defendant company:
"Please be advised that the Home Fire and Marine Insurance Company heretofore with the * * * Miller Insurance Agency has been transferred to Merle M. David and Raymond E. Schilling who are now our only local representatives authorized to handle matters pertaining to our policies issued through our former agency connections. Our records show that you hold policy No. ____, and we therefore ask that in case of transfer, assignment, loss or any other matter relating to your insurance that require attention, you refer the same to Davis and Schilling. They will be most happy to serve your needs. We hope to have the favor of your continued patronage through Davis and Schilling and we assure you that anything referred to them will be handled expeditiously and to your best interests."
This letter, plaintiff charges, constitutes libel, it being alleged that it was sent maliciously and with the intent in both defendants to wrongfully injure plaintiff in its business, and that all statements therein contained are false and unprivileged and known by the defendants so to be; that it had a tendency to, and did, injure plaintiff's business; and that theretofore plaintiff had advanced to the company premiums on divers policies in the sum of $3,716.87, which the letter prevented the plaintiff from collecting from policy-holders. It is further alleged that the defendants refused to permit cancellations on refusal to pay premiums, and that the cost of collection, in each instance, would exceed the amount due; and that the publication of the letter caused plaintiff to lose renewals of policies to the damage of plaintiff in the sum of $20,000. Plaintiff demanded judgment for this amount as well as for the $3,716.87 advanced premiums, and for $100,000 exemplary damages.
By answer the defendants admitted the mailing of the letter to 150 policy-holders and the existence of the agency agreement which it is alleged in the answer was terminated on or about April 5, 1932, and denied all other allegations of the complaint. The answer also contains a "special defense," setting up the facts, and alleging that at the time the letter was mailed, the agency agreement had been terminated by mutual consent, and that the letter was mailed in order that the policy-holders might be promptly served by an authorized agent; that this was done without malice and was privileged; and that the statements made therein were true. Plaintiff denied all new matter by reply.
The question for determination now is as to whether, under the law of libel, the undisputed facts show that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover upon any view which the evidence reasonably tends to establish, or whether the evidence is so unsubstantial that the court would feel compelled to set aside any verdict rendered in favor of plaintiff, had the cause been submitted to the jury.
"Libel is a false and unprivileged publication * * * which [6-10] exposes any person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, or which causes him to be shunned or avoided, or which has a tendency to injure him in his occupation." (Sec. 5690, Rev. Codes 1921.) The truth of the statements made in an allegedly libelous publication "may be given in evidence." (Const., Art. III, sec. 10.) Under our statute above, if the publication is "false and unprivileged," the publisher is liable regardless of good faith, worthy motives or the utmost faith in the belief that the statement is true. ( Kelly v. Independent Pub. Co., 45 Mont. 127, 122 P. 735, Ann. Cas. 1913d 1063, 38 L.R.A. (n.s.) 1160.) But no publication which is not false, and no privileged communication, is libel, and, as the statute does not mention "malice," the presence or absence of malice becomes material only as a circumstance affording a basis for increasing or diminishing the amount of recovery, and in cases involving the question of privileged communications. To found liability upon a communication prima facie privileged, actual and not implied, malice must be shown. ( Cooper v. Romney, 49 Mont. 119, 141 P. 289, Ann. Cas. 1916A, 596.) Libel is either per se or per quod. "Per se" means by itself, simply as such, and is applied to words which are actionable because they, of themselves without anything more, are opprobrious. To be thus actionable, the words must be susceptible of but the one meaning. ( Burr v. Winnett Times Pub. Co., 80 Mont. 70, 258 P. 242; Tucker v. Wallace, 90 Mont. 359, 3 P.2d 404.)
It will be seen, however, that the statutory definition of "libel" contains three clauses in the alternative, connected by the disjunction "or," so that, in the present case, the first two classes may be eliminated, the statute thus reading: "Libel is a false and unprivileged publication * * * which has a tendency to injure him in his occupation." On this phase of "libel" it is immaterial whether the publication contains opprobrious statements or not. ( Bartlett v. Federal Outfitting Co., 133 Cal.App. 747, 24 P.2d 877; Dobbin v. Chicago, R. Co., 157 Mo. App. 689, 138 S.W. 682; Wright v. Coules, 4 Cal.App. 343, 87 P. 809.)
Language which necessarily caused damage to "him whose affairs it is concerning" is libelous per se, because its publication confers a prima facie right of action. (Thompson on Slander Libel, 4th ed., 158.)
In Lemmer v. The Tribune, 50 Mont. 559, 148 P. 338, this court apparently overlooked the significance of the final clause of the statute, and, applying the rule applicable to cases brought under the first and second clauses, held that a publication to the effect that a business man — stating his business — was dead, was not libel per se. The cases cited to support this holding are not in point, as they do not come within the final clause of the definition above. In so far as the opinion in Lemmer v. The Tribune conflicts with what is herein said, it is now overruled.
The complaint herein is sufficient, whether it sufficiently alleges special damages or not.
The defendants have cited several opinions of courts of sister states holding that notices similar to the one here considered are not libelous per se, but they are not persuasive here, as in no one of them is a statute such as ours considered, and in each the statement is based upon the premise that in order to constitute libel, the publication must be defamatory.
No one will dispute that to publish, of one who makes a livelihood by writing insurance, that he is no longer the agent of the company in which he writes it, "has a tendency to injure him in his occupation"; the publication is clear and unambiguous and, of itself, without more, charges a libel if, as alleged, it is "false and unprivileged." This species of libel is more of the nature of "slander of title" (see 37 C.J. 129) than the ordinary case of libel, in that it does not come within the purview of actions for defamation; it is libel merely because our peculiar statute makes it libel. Whatever the damages suffered, the publication here is actionable only if "false and unprivileged," and the burden rested upon the plaintiff to establish this allegation by proof. ( Cooper v. Romney, supra.)
The evidence introduced to show that the plaintiff's agency [11] had not been terminated at the time the alleged libel was published, and to establish malice, is as follows: Having secured the agency for a company which would write insurance at reduced rates and entered upon his "campaign" to write such insurance, Miller wrote Culver on March 15, 1932: "After considerable consideration I am compelled to believe that I will be able to serve our clients much better from the question of rates, with companies that are not buying rates. As it has always been my plan of business to be fair, I am compelled at this time to advise you that this is just a question of business, and rest assured that at any time we may be of service to you personally, or to your company that we will be only too glad to. With kindest personal regards, I am yours, very truly. Miller Insurance Agency, C.E. Miller, Jr." On March 31, 1932, plaintiff's state license as agent for the defendant company expired and was not renewed. On April 5 thereafter, Culver demanded and received all supplies, including blank policies, of the defendant company in the office of the plaintiff agency. About this time, according to Miller's testimony, he had a conversation with Culver in which Culver strenuously objected to the agency's change of connection; told him that others had made the same mistake and been sorry for it; that "their organization" had ways of bringing such agents "back into the fold"; and that "If I saw fit to make this change that I would either be back in the fold or broke in a short time." The witness stated that the "organization" referred to "was companies writing at his rate, and not companies writing at the preferred rates, which I was attempting to do and started to do." While the witness testified that he did not know what companies were in and which out of the Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific, it is clearly implied in the record that the "organization" members were board members, while those writing at the "preferred," or reduced, rates were not.
Prior to May, 1932, the defendant company had notified the plaintiff agency thirty days in advance of the expiration of policies, but ceased this practice as of that date. Miller testified that "shortly after March, 1932, and prior to June 22, 1932, I proceeded to close my accounts with the Home Fire and Marine Insurance Company"; and one Boulware testified that, about the latter date, Miller told him that he (Miller) had severed his connection with that company.
On June 20, 1932, Culver wrote the Miller Agency from Helena, as follows: "Since the retirement of the Home Fire and Marine from your agency and pending an appointment of an agent in Butte, you have been sending endorsements, transfers, assignments, etc., which needed counter-signature, to the writer for same. In future, and in order to expedite the manner of handling these documents, thereby saving time at both ends of the line, please be advised that Davis and Schilling, 207 Metals Bank Bldg., Butte * * * are now our authorized agents and they will be pleased to countersign such documents in the future."
With reference to the ordinary contract, this evidence, adduced by the plaintiff, is sufficient to warrant a finding that the contract was terminated by mutual consent, or that it was terminated by the written notice of plaintiff, in that it is apparent to the court either that the evidence showed that plaintiff had withdrawn from writing insurance in "Board Companies" and was acting for nonboard companies, or that, if the case was permitted to proceed, defendant's proof would clearly establish that fact, and, therefore, the letter of March 15 was in effect a notice that the plaintiff would no longer be bound by the contract. This being the situation, the trial court was in the position to say that, if the case went to the jury and a verdict was returned for the plaintiff, it would be its duty to set the verdict aside.
Plaintiff, however, contends the contract could not be [12] terminated until the expiration of all policies written by the plaintiff, as, by custom and usage, renewals belong to the agent, and therefore the contract was one "coupled with an interest," and that Miller had the right of cancellation of policies for nonpayment of premiums and thus recover the unearned portions of the premiums paid in advance by him. On this latter proposition the evidence discloses that, at the time of the trial, all advancements made by Miller, as above recited, had been paid by the policy-holders, except $111.93, and it was not shown that any policy-holder included in this reduced list refused to pay the Miller Agency because of the receipt of a copy of the company's letter.
Many letters and notices (Plaintiff's Exhibits A to Z) were introduced to show transactions extending a year or more after the writing of the alleged libel and between the parties; these relate to indorsements to be made on policies in existence, permits to policy-holders, adjustment of premiums, commissions — such matters as are referred to in Culver's letter of June 20, 1932, to the plaintiff.
Miller and one other witness testified that, by custom and usage, renewals belong to the agent; Miller did not attempt to explain the meaning of the statement; the other witness, Webb, did. His explanation is vague and is summed up by his statement that where one agent has written policies any other agent has a right to seek to secure the business, but "if a fellow gives you service you want to go for him * * * if some one gives you a square deal, you ought to treat him fairly."
We gather from the authorities that, because of the fact that the policy-holders are the customers of the agent who solicits the business and writes the policies in any company he sees fit, ordinarily the right of renewal is an asset of the agent, who cannot be deprived of his commission on renewals, while representing the insurance company in which he has written policies, by any act of the company or its other agents, but the matter is usually regulated by contract. On the other hand, if the agency is properly terminated, the right to commissions thereafter ceases, although it has been held that this is not the case when an agent withdraws from the service with the consent of the principal. (See 32 C.J. 1078-1081; Hale v. Brooklyn L. Ins. Co., 120 N.Y. 294, 24 N.E. 317; Butler v. New York L. Ins. Co., 45 Wn. 141, 87 P. 1119; Alliance Ins. Co. v. City Realty Co., (D.C.) 52 F.2d 271; Arrant v. Georgia Casualty Co., 212 Ala. 309, 102 So. 447.)
Here the letter to which exception is taken, on this phase of the case, after advising policy-holders as to where they should go for service, merely expresses the hope that the company may still hold the patronage of the addressee. Certainly, neither the law nor custom requires that, when an agent terminates his agency either with or without the consent of the company, for the purpose of serving a rival company, the right to renew all existing policies in the rival company remains in the agent. Such an agent can seek to interest his former customers in his new company and its rates, but cannot hold the old company responsible if the customers refuse to make the change. Plaintiff's contract does not constitute a "power coupled with an interest," as that term is defined by the authorities. (49 C.J. 1252; 64 A.L.R. 380.)
The letter here considered is a conditionally privileged [13-16] publication, as it was mailed on an occasion which furnished a prima facie legal excuse for the making of it (Townshend on Slander and Libel, 4th ed., 296; Odgers on Libel and Slander, 6th ed., 206), and could, therefore, be held libelous only on a showing of actual malice. ( Cooper v. Romney, supra.) "The words `malice' and `maliciously' import a wish to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or an intent to do a wrongful act, established either by proof or presumption of law." (Sec. 10713, subd. 4, Rev. Codes 1921.) The question of malice or no malice is for the jury, but there is always the prior question, "Is there any evidence of malice to go to the jury?" and this is for the judge. (Odgers on Libel and Slander, 6th ed., 284, and cases cited.)
The only evidence of "malice" in the record is that of the conversation between Miller and Culver, detailed above. This evidence indicates, in western parlance, an attempt on the part of Culver to bluff Miller into staying with the company and living up to his contract; but if it can be said to evidence ill will on the part of Culver, it does not show that the letter in question was mailed for the purpose of vexing, annoying or injuring the plaintiff. The letters were printed and addressed in the "Home Office" and sent to Culver for his signature. There is no evidence of ill will at the home office, and if Culver exhibited ill will in April, it was not the cause of sending the letters in June, as, in mailing them, he only acted as agent and under instruction from the home office, the duty of which it was to advise their policy-holders of the change in the local agency. There is no showing of "any indirect motive other than a sense of duty" which might substantiate the charge of malice. (Odgers, above, 282.)
The facts and circumstances under which the publication was made being undisputed, the question of privilege became one of law for the court. (16 Cal. Jur. 122, and cases cited; Manley v. Harer, supra. See, also, Newell on Slander and Libel, 2d ed., 391.)
The plaintiff failed to establish its charge that the publication was "false and unprivileged," and, therefore, the motions for nonsuit were properly granted.
Judgment affirmed.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICES STEWART, ANDERSON and MORRIS concur.
MR. CHIEF JUSTICE SANDS, absent on account of illness, takes no part in the foregoing decision.