United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Browne v. Thorn, 260 U.S. 137 (1922)

Browne v. Thorn

No. 88

Argued October 20, 1922

Decided November 13, 1922

260 U.S. 137

Syllabus

1. In an action by brokers to recover from their customer the balance of their account for purchases and sales of cotton made on their exchange pursuant to his orders, it is not a defense that the transactions were gambling because he had no intention to receive or deliver the actual cotton, if his intention in that regard was not disclosed to the brokers. P. 260 U. S. 139.

2. Hedging -- a means whereby manufacturers and others who have to make contracts of purchase and sale in advance secure themselves against fluctuations of the market by counter-contracts -- is prima facie lawful. P. 260 U. S. 139.

3. Section 4 of the "United States Cotton Futures Act" must be read in the light of construction of similar language of the Statute

Page 260 U. S. 138

of Frauds, and does not require that bought and sold notes should name the principals and be signed by both brokers. 260 U. S. 140.

4. Evidence of an understanding between the parties held to justify interpreting a telegraphic "stop"-order from a customer to his brokers as directing sale of his cotton at the prices specified in the order or, if those could not be got, at the next best price possible. P. 260 U. S. 140.

272 F.9d 0 affirmed.

Certiorari to a judgment of the circuit court of appeals affirming a judgment for the plaintiffs in an action by brokers to recover from their customer, Browne, the balance of their account for purchase and sale of cotton, on a cotton exchange of which they were members. The case went twice to the court below. See 257 F.5d 9; 272 F.9d 0.