Abrams v. Metropolitan Life Insurance, 224 N.C. 1 (1944)

March 1, 1944 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

224 N.C. 1

JOHN H. ABRAMS v. METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.

(Filed 1 March, 1944.)

1. Appeal and Error § 43—

No case should be reheard on a petition to rehear unless it was decided hastily and some material point had been overlooked or some direct authority was not called to the attention of the court.

2. Same—

On petition to rehear the petitioner will not be permitted to shift his ground and take a different position from that upon which the ease was originally tried and heard. ,

3. Insurance § 32a—

If the defendant wrongfully terminated or canceled the policy of insurance, as may be inferred from the evidence in this record, it was in derogation of the plaintiff’s rights.

Denny, J., concurring.

Baunhill, J., dissenting.

PetitioN by defendant to rehear this case, reported in 223 N. C., 500.

Smith, Wharton & Jordan and Battle, Winslow <& Merrell for defendant, petitioner.

H. D. Hardison and Henry 0. Bourne for plaintiff, respondent.

Stacy, 0. J.

Tbe case was brought back because of an alleged inad-

vertence or misapprehension of the record as it relates to the second cause of action. It is contended that no evidence was offered by the plaintiff to show a cancellation of the policy.

It was said on the original hearing that the complaint states a cause of action for wrongful cancellation, which is consistent with the cause of action on the policy, as both are in affirmance of the contract, and a new trial was granted, limited to this alleged breach of plaintiff’s contractual rights. Trust Co. v. Ins. Co., 173 N. C., 558, 92 S. E., 706; 29 Am. Jur., 286. The case was tried on both causes of action, and there was no objection or challenge to the joinder of the two causes in the same complaint.

The defendant alleges in its answer that the policy lapsed “for the nonpayment of the premium due July 27, 1939”; that the cash surrender value of the policy “at said time”, was $1.86 over and above a loan then existing against the policy, and “a check in said amount of $1.86 was drawn payable to the insured . . . and mailed to him, but said check has never been cashed.” Defendant further alleges in its answer “that it is due and owing the plaintiff the sum of $7.00,” and tenders judgment in this amount.

The plaintiff testified that he tendered the defendant’s agent the quarterly premium “due August 27, 1939, within the grace period,” which he refused to accept, “and stated as his reason that the policy had been lapsed for the nonpayment of the premium due July 27, 1939.” See McAden v. Craig (5th syllabus), 222 N. C., 497, 24 S. E. (2d), 1. Plaintiff further testified that “he has never received any notice whatever of the lapse of the policy nor has he ever received any premium notices.” See G. S., 58-207 (C. S., 6465).

The defendant’s local agent testified that he saw the plaintiff on 27 August, 1939, “the last day of grace according to the policy as I understood it. ... I told him if the policy (premium) wasn’t paid that day the grace expired and it would require a certified form before I could collect any money on the policy. ... I told him the grace would expire that day.” Cross-examination: “The last day of grace was the 27th of August, according to my receipts. . . . My receipts are made up at the home office. . . . The 27th day of August is the date the premium would be due under the terms of the policy, and he would have thirty-one days thereafter in which to pay it.” Thus the defendant’s agent admits that he was misinformed and that he misled the plaintiff.

If the defendant wrongfully terminated or canceled the policy, as may be inferred from the above evidence, it was in derogation of plaintiff’s rights. Aiken v. Ins. Co., 173 N. C., 400, 92 S. E., 184. The home office made up the agent’s receipts, and even in the answer, filed 21 October, 1942, tbe due date of tbe premium is alleged to be “July 27, 1939.” Tbe trial court beld, as a matter of law, tbat tbe third quarterly premium was due on 27 August of each year, and tbat tbe period of grace, in wbicb it could be paid, extended it in eacb instance for 31 days thereafter. Tbe issue appears to be one for tbe jury.

It is urged, however, tbat tbe plaintiff does not rely upon bis allegation of wrongful cancellation, either in bis original brief or in bis brief on rehearing. His first exception is to tbe refusal of tbe court to submit tbe issues tendered, including tbe 4th, wbicb relates to tbe alleged wrongful cancellation of tbe policy. See issues set out on original bearing, 223 N. C., 501. In bis brief on rehearing, tbe plaintiff says: “Tbe plaintiff offered evidence on both grounds (tender and wrongful cancellation) and tendered issues on both grounds. Tbe trial court submitted tbe issue on tender, but refused to submit tbe issue on wrongful cancellation.”

This would seem to dispose of tbe question, certainly so far as a reversal on petition to rehear is concerned. “No case should be reheard on a petition to rehear unless it was decided hastily and some material point bad been overlooked or some direct authority was not called to tbe attention of tbe court.” Weathers v. Borders, 124 N. C., 610, 32 S. E., 881; Weston v. Lumber Co., 168 N. C., 98, 83 S. E., 693; Jolley v. Tel. Co., 205 N. C., 108, 170 S. E., 145.

In tbe petition to rehear, tbe defendant for tbe first time takes tbe position tbat tbe plaintiff can sue only on tbe contract and not for its breach; tbat tbe insured and not tbe beneficiary has such a cause of action. See Wooten v. Odd Fellows, 176 N. C., 52, 96 S. E., 654, and Gorrell v. Water Supply Co. (1st syllabus), 124 N. C., 328, 32 S. E., 720. This is a shift in position wbicb is not permitted on rehearing. Holland v. Dulin, 206 N. C., 211, 173 S. E., 310; Jolley v. Tel. Co., supra. Moreover, tbe record supports tbe plaintiff’s right to pursue tbe matter of an alleged wrongful cancellation. 48 A. L. R., 109.

We adhere to tbe original decision.

Petition dismissed.

DeNNY, J.,

concurring: Tbe opinion disposes of tbe questions properly presented upon tbe petition to rehear, but, in view of tbe position' taken in tbe dissenting opinion, I deem it not improper to discuss tbe extraneous questions raised.

It is true tbat no specific issue of damages for breach of tbe insurance contract was tendered by tbe plaintiff, but an issue based on tbe alleged wrongful cancellation of tbe policy was tendered and its submission to tbe jury refused by tbe trial judge. It was beld in tbe original opinion, reported in 223 N. C., 500, 27 S. E. (2d), 148, tbat this was error, and the majority opinion adheres to the original decision. The issues tendered by the plaintiff were intended and were sufficient to cover' both phases of the case.

In the dissenting opinion it is stated: “The original opinion assumes that the complaint states, and plaintiff relies upon, two causes of action. In this I think there is error.” In the trial below the defendant made no such contention, and, as stated in the majority opinion, “the case was tried on both causes of action and there was no objection or challenge to the joinder of the two causes of action in the same complaint.”

Plaintiff’s right to bring an action for breach of the insurance contract is challenged on the following grounds: (1) plaintiff had no vested interest in the policy during the life of the insured because the right to change the beneficiary was reserved by the insured; (2) there is no contract relation between the plaintiff and the defendant; and (3) the policy being canceled and the contract terminated during the life of the insured, the beneficiary loses any contingent interest he may have had; for his rights, if any, are predicated upon the existence of the contract.

In the first place, the challenge comes too late, none of these questions were raised in the trial below or before this Court when the case was here on appeal, they are raised for the first time in the brief on rehearing. In the case of Gorham v. Ins. Co., 214 N. C., 526, 200 S. E., 5, it was held: “The rule is, that an appeal ex necessitate follows the theory of the trial. Dent v. Mica Co., 212 N. C., 241, 193 S. E., 165; Keith v. Gregg, 210 N. C., 802, 188 S. E., 849; In re Parker, 209 N. C., 693, 184 S. E., 532. Having tried the case upon one theory, the law will not permit the defendant to change its position, or To swap horses between courts in order to get a better mount in the Supreme Court.’ Weil v. Herring, 207 N. C., 6, 175 S. E., 836; Holland v. Dulin, 206 N. C., 211, 173 S. E., 310. ‘The theory upon which a case is tried must prevail in considering the appeal, and in interpreting a record and in determining the validity of exceptions’—Brogden, J., in Potts v. Ins. Co., 206 N. C., 257, 174 S. E., 123.” See also Gorham v. Ins. Co., 215 N. C., 195, 1 S. E. (2d), 569.

In the second place, I do not concede that plaintiff’s interest was contingent and that he could not have brought an action during the life of the insured, in the light of the facts disclosed on this record: (1) The right to change the beneficiary was a restricted one. The policy states, “The right on the part of the insured to change the beneficiary, in the manner hereafter prescribed, is reserved.” The record does not disclose the manner provided for changing the beneficiary; (2) at the time of the lapse, or wrongful cancellation, of the policy, the insured had been adjudged non compos mentis and committed to the State Hospital for the Insane, and was incapable of changing the beneficiary; and (3) the beneficiary in this policy had furnished the consideration money of the contract.

Justice Walker, in speaking for the Court in the case of Wooten v. Order of Odd Fellows, 176 N. C., 52, 96 S. E., 654, said: “The general rule is that the right of a policy of insurance, at least to one of the ordinary character, and to the money which may become due under it, vests immediately, upon its being issued, in the person who is named in it as beneficiary, and that this interest, being vested, cannot be transferred by the insured to any other person (Central National Bank v. Hume, 128 U. S., 195) without his consent. This does not hold true, however, when the contract of insurance provides for a change of the beneficiary by the insured, or such a right arises in some other way, for in such a case the right of the beneficiary vests conditionally only, and is subject to be defeated by the terms of the very contract, or instrument, which created it, and is destroyed by the execution of the reserved power'. These principles, we take it, are well settled by the highest authority and great weight of judicial opinion. 4 Cooley’s Briefs on the Law of Insurance, par. 3762-3772; Nally v. Nally, 74 Ga., 669; McGowan v. Supreme Court of Ind. Order of Foresters, 104 Wis., 173; Shoenan v. Grand Lodge, 85 Minn., 349; Sanburn v. Black, 67 N. H., 537; St. L. Police Relief Assc. v. Strode, 103 Mo. App., 694; Luhrs v. Luhrs, 123 N. Y., 367; Donnelly v. Burnham, 86 App. Div. (N. Y.), by Hun., p. 226 (Aff. in same case, 177 N. Y., 546) ; Hancock Mutual L. Ins. Co. v. White, 20 R. I., 457.”

In this jurisdiction where one not a party or privy to a contract, but who is a beneficiary thereof, and furnishes the consideration money of the contract, such beneficiary is entitled to maintain an action for its breach. Whatever the law may be elsewhere, this Court, in the leading case of Gorrell v. Water Supply Co., 124 N. C., 328, 32 S. E., 720, laid down the above principle of law, which has been adhered to for more than half a century. The plaintiff had a vested interest in the policy prior to the death of the insured.

In 29 Amer. Jur., sec. 313, p. 286, it is said: “It is generally held that a beneficiary who has a vested interest in a policy may protect his rights and has a cause of action for damages in case of the wrongful cancellation or repudiation of the insurance contract by the insurer, but a beneficiary who has no vested interest cannot maintain such a suit. Vicars v. Mutual Ben. Health & Acci. Asso., 259 Ky., 13, 81 S. W. (2d), 874, citing R. C. L., 124 Wis., 221, 102 N. W., 593, 109 Am. St. Rep., 931.”

Notwithstanding the uneontradicted evidence that over a period of twelve years and six months, the defendant collected fifty quarterly premiums, of $9.46 each, from the plaintiff, beneficiary, in this policy, the dissenting opinion states: “The defendant was under no legal.obligation to give plaintiff notice of premiums. It was its duty to notify tbe insured. That plaintiff received no notice is no indication tbat notices were not duly mailed, as required by statute — C. S., 6465; G. S., 58-207.” I tbink tbe long course of dealing between tbe plaintiff and tbe defendant, tbe fact tbat tbe beneficiary field tbe policy, together with tbe admission by tbe defendant tbat it knew tbe insured was insane, necessitated notice to plaintiff as required by law.

Tbe question as to whether or not a notice was sent to tbe plaintiff or tbe insured, is now settled. Tbe defendant admits, for tbe first time, in its brief on rehearing, tbat “Tbe defendant sent no notice complying with tbe statute of tbe premium due August 27, 1939.” It still contends, however, tbat plaintiff does not know whether tbe policy was wrongfully canceled or not, since it has not seen fit to disclose tbe date of its action in tbat respect. Tbe defendant states in its petition to rehear : “It does not appear from tbe statement in tbe further answer, even if it bad been introduced, whether tbe defendant’s act of mailing check took place during or after tbe grace period figured from August 27, 1939, or even whether it took place within or after tbe year’s extension of tbe grace period, granted by O. S., 6465.”

An insurance company will not be permitted to admit tbe execution of a policy of life insurance and tbe death of tbe insured and merely deny tbe policy was in force at tbe time of tbe death of tbe insured, unless it elects to run tbe risk of an adverse verdict. Urey v. Ins. Co., 197 N. C., 385, 148 S. E., 432. Tbe burden of proving tbe policy was not in force at tbe time of tbe death of tbe insured is on tbe defendant. Page v. Ins. Co., 131 N. C., 115, 42 S. E., 543. This is in conformity with tbe rule laid down in 25 Cyc., 927, which is as follows: “Ordinarily, where tbe company pleads tbe failure to pay premiums or assessments, tbe burden is on it to prove such failure. And if a statute requires service of notice by tbe company on tbe insured before a forfeiture can be declared, tbe company has tbe burden of proving tbe service of such notice.”

Tbe case of West v. Ins. Co., 210 N. C., 234, 186 S. E., 262, is not in point.

It is conceded tbat when a policy is wrongfully canceled by an insurance company, if tbe insured desires to insist upon reinstatement and continuance, be must pay or offer to pay tbe premium called for in tbe contract. But, suppose a policy is wrongfully canceled and tbe insured does not tender tbe premium or request reinstatement of tbe insurance contract. Is be to be denied redress for tbe injury be has sustained by reason of the wrongful cancellation of tbe policy? Such is not tbe law. Tbe original opinion and tbe opinion dismissing tbe petition to rehear, do not undertake to pass upon tbe merits of this controversy, further than to say tbe plaintiff, under tbe facts presented, is entitled to have a jury pass upon tbe question as to whether or not the company did wrongfully cancel the policy. If it did so, the plaintiff is entitled to recover the damages he has sustained by reason of the breach; if not, the defendant will be absolved from any liability arising out of the alleged breach. Likewise, whether or not the plaintiff has performed his own antecedent obligations to the insurance company as required, in order to prevail on the issue of wrongful cancellation, is now a matter of proof. This Court has decided only that he shall be given an opportunity to present his case, based on alleged wrongful cancellation, to the twelve.

I do not think the other authorities cited in the dissenting opinion are authoritative, when considered in relation to the facts and questions presented on the record in this case.

BaeNHIll, J.,

dissenting: The original opinion assumes that the complaint states and plaintiff relies upon two causes of action. In this I think there is error. At least, the plaintiff has never so contended either in his original brief or in his brief on rehearing.

The plaintiff alleges, in substance, that the defendant attempted to lapse said policy for the nonpayment of premiums, but that he duly tendered the premium and thus kept the policy in full force and effect. He admits in his brief (on rehearing) that while the insured might have sued for breach, he, the beneficiary, can sue only on the policy. He seeks no damages. He tendered no issue of damages for breach. The only issue he tendered as to the amount due is, “by reason of said policy of insurance.” Thus it appears he states and relies on only one cause of action. This is on the policy and not for breach thereof.

Even if there are two causes of action, the issues submitted are sufficiently determinative. In the absence of allegation and proof of fraud, Combs v. Ins. Co., 181 N. C., 218, 106 S. E., 826, payment or tender of premium is essential to a cause of action for breach. ‘

This Court, in West v. Ins. Co., 210 N. C., 234, at page 236, said:

“Even if the defendant wrongfully terminated the insurance, that did ' not relieve the insured, if he desired to insist on its continuance, from his obligation to pay or offer to pay the premiums called for in his contract. . . .

“A party to a contract cannot maintain an action for its breach without averring and proving performance of his own antecedent obligations or some legal excuse for nonperformance.”

Without undertaking to cite the cases, it is sufficient to say that this statement is sustained by authorities from other States which hold that the insured is not relieved from the duty to tender premiums by notice of lapse or unlawful forfeiture unless the company refuses to accept the premium or gives notice that it will not accept if tendered.

The allegation, of tender has been litigated and decided adversely to plaintiff. This Court has affirmed. He is bound by that verdict.

It may be that if the plaintiff had been misled by the statement of the agent that August 27 was the last day of grace he might have relief under the Combs case, supra, even though he never tendered any premium. But such is not the case. He looked at his policy and decided that the premium was payable in August and he could pay in September. He was not deceived. He knew his rights. Yet he stood by for more than two years without action and defaulted in the payment of nine several premiums.

Furthermore, the plaintiff is beneficiary in the policy at the will of the insured. No rights could accrue to him until or unless the insured died without having first changed the beneficiary. Hence, he can have no right of action for breach of the policy during the life of the insured.

The policy in question was issued on the life of Joe Ellis. It was an endowment policy payable at maturity to the insured. It provides, however, that if the insured should die before the maturity of the policy then the proceeds of the policy are to be paid to the plaintiff. But the insured reserved the right to change the beneficiary.

Thus there is no contract relation between plaintiff and defendant, and plaintiff, during the life of the insured, had no vested interest in the policy. His right accrued only in the event there was a valid policy in full force and effect at the time of the death of the insured. Defendant owes him, if it owes him at all, by reason of the fact it promised the insured to pay.

It is true that Abrams alleges and offered evidence tending to show that he paid the premiums; but he does not make any attempt to prove that he applied for and obtained the policy or that there was any agreement or understanding that he should assume the position or discharge the obligations of the insured under the policy. On this record he merely volunteered to make some or all of the payments. This does not change his status as beneficiary.

A policy of insurance is a contract between the insurer and the insured. Trust Co. v. Ins. Co., 173 N. C., 558, 92 S. E., 706; Rothschild v. Insurance Co., 74 Mo., 41. Upon a breach thereof by the insurer we must look to the policy to ascertain who is the injured party and in whom a cause of action vests by virtue of the breach.

When the insurer wrongfully cancels, repudiates, or terminates a policy three optional remedies immediately accrue to the insured: (1) he may elect to consider the policy at an end — that is, he may recognize the breach and recover its just value; or (2) he may sue in equity to have the policy declared in force; or (3) he may tender the premiums and treat the policy as in force. Trust Co. v. Ins. Co., supra; West v. Ins. Co., 210 N. C., 234, 186 S. E., 263; Anno. 48 A. L. R., 107. If be follows tbe latter course tben at bis death tbe policy is enforceable as a subsisting contract.

Thus tbe right of action for a breach, if tbe insured elects to recognize tbe breach, vests in tbe insured and not in tbe beneficiary. This is admitted in plaintiff’s brief. Upon tbe death of tbe insured tbe vested right of action passes to tbe administrator. Tbe policy being canceled and tbe contract terminated, the beneficiary loses any contingent interest be may have bad; for bis rights, if any, are predicated upon tbe existence of tbe contract.

Tbe beneficiary may sue only on tbe policy after tbe death of tbe insured. To recover be must show that there was an outstanding policy of insurance in full force and effect at tbe time of tbe death of tbe insured, and that be was tbe tben named beneficiary in tbe policy. “Tbe insured could have brought an action for damages. . . . Tbe plaintiff could only wait until tbe death of tbe insured and bring bis action on tbe policy.” (Plaintiff’s brief.) Hence, when there is a wrongful lapse bis rights are preserved and be may sue only in tbe event tbe insured elects to adopt tbe third remedy, and this is predicated upon a tender of the premiums.

On this cause of action plaintiff has bad bis day in court and lost. Tbe jury found there was no tender of premium and that verdict has been affirmed. That fact is fully adjudicated. Now, having' asserted that tbe policy was in force and lost, be is permitted to assume the role of tbe insured and attempt to recover damages for tbe wrongful breach. In my opinion no such cause of action vests in him. Slocum v. Northwestern Nat. L. Ins. Co., 135 Wis., 288, 115 N. W., 796; Mutual Relief Asso. v. Ray, 173 Ark., 9, 292 S. W., 396.

But, conceding arguendo that plaintiff may sue for breach, there is no sufficient evidence to support tbe issue tendered and rejected.

Tbe plaintiff relies on certain items of evidence as follows: (1) On tbe due date of tbe premium payable 27 August, 1939, tbe agent told him that was tbe last day of grace; (2) be tendered tbe premium before tbe expiration of tbe due date and it was refused, tbe agent stating at tbe time that tbe policy bad lapsed for failure to pay tbe premium 27 July, 1939; (3) be received no notice of premiums; and (4) tbe defendant admits in its answer facts which constitute a wrongful cancellation.

(1) Tbe agent told plaintiff on 27 August, 1939, that tbe period of grace for paying tbe current premium would expire that day. About this there is no controversy. Both be and tbe agent so testified. It is likewise true that under tbe terms of tbe policy 27 August was tbe due date and be bad thirty-one days thereafter within which to pay.

Tbe mere statement of tbe agent tbat tbe time of payment was about to expire did not constitute a lapse. He bad no authority to cancel. Plaintiff admits tbat tbe defendant never notified bim of any cancellation and, as heretofore stated, be was not misled.

(3) Tbe defendant was under no legal obligation to give plaintiff notice of premiums. It was its duty to notify tbe insured. Tbat plaintiff received no notice is no indication tbat notices were not duly mailed as required by statute. C. S., 6465; G. S., 58-207, has no application here. Even if applicable, however, tbe statute does not relieve of tbe duty to pay or to tender tbe premium. It merely extends the time within which tbe payments may be made. Giving tbe plaintiff tbe full benefit of this statute, no premiums have been paid within tbe time required as extended by tbe statute. Tbe last payment was made May, 1939. Tbe deceased died in October, 1941- — more than two years thereafter.

(4) Tbe alleged admission in tbe answer is an affirmative allegation of fact. Tbe plaintiff did not offer it in evidence, as be bad a right to do. Even so, considering it as an admission, it does not admit a wrongful cancellation. Tbe defendant wrote tbe insured “upon tbe lapse of said policy for tbe nonpayment of tbe premium due July 27, 1939.” Was this after tbe grace period bad expired or after tbe extended grace period granted by statute ? G. S., 58-207. Had tbe policy in fact lapsed at tbe time tbe letter was written? Tbe answers to these questions do not appear in tbe evidence. Tbe burden was on tbe plaintiff, and we should not assume tbat tbe letter was written prior to tbe time tbe policy in fact lapsed by virtue of its self-operating provisions. Anno. 8 A. L. R., 398.

It may be tbat tbe plaintiff could have made out a case for tbe jury, but be offered no evidence of payment, and tbe jury has found tbat be made no tender. Tbe other evidence, in my opinion, is insufficient to support tbe issue which tbe court declined to submit.

I do not consider tbat Aiken v. Ins. Co., 173 N. C., 400, 92 S. E., 184, is in point here. It clearly appears in tbat case tbat tbe insured pursued tbe third remedy above cited and thus kept tbe policy alive. Surely, under such circumstances, tbe beneficiary bad tbe right to maintain her action.

There are a number of cases in this and other jurisdictions in which tbe action by a beneficiary at tbe will of tbe insured is referred to as an action for breach of contract. A careful examination of tbe -facts in these cases, however, will disclose tbat in each instance tbe insured, as in tbe Aiken case, supra, bad kept tbe policy alive and in force by tbe tender of premiums. Tbe suits, in fact, were on tbe policies and recovery was bad thereunder.

Tbe case comes to tbis: tbe company insured for a specified period — ■ three months — and agreed to extend tbe insurance for a like period upon tbe payment of tbe stipulated premium. In order to obtain tbe periodic extensions tbe positive duty rested upon tbe insured to pay or to tender tbe premium^. Plaintiff offered no evidence of payment, and tbe jury has found that be made no tender. More than two years elapsed between tbe payment of tbe last premium and tbe death of tbe in'sured. At tbe time of bis death nine premiums were in default. Whatever tbe rights of tbe insured may have been, it is clear to my mind that be failed to keep tbe policy alive and there is now no subsisting contract upon which tbe plaintiff, tbe beneficiary, may maintain an action.

Of course plaintiff contends he offered evidence of wrongful cancellation and tender of premium. Having admitted that no premium has been paid since 21 May, 1939, bis counsel correctly conceive that it is necessary for plaintiff to prove both in justification of nonpayment and to show that tbe policy was kept alive. Tbis is essential to make out a case in bis action on tbe policy- — -the third remedy listed in Trust Co. v. Ins. Co., supra. Tbis is tbe theory be has pursued from tbe beginning.

Even now, be in bis brief on rehearing does not adopt tbe view that be has proceeded or can proceed for breach, of contract. He affirmatively asserts that such a cause of action rested in tbe deceased. Tbe first suggestion that such a cause of action is alleged is contained in tbe original opinion. Tbe defendant in its petition for rehearing merely calls tbis to our attention. In any event, if there has been any shift of position it is not chargeable to defendant.

I vote to allow tbe petition.