W. R. Matthews v. United States Rubber Company and John J. Egan

The appellant, W. R. Matthews, brought an action for slander against John J. Egan, an accountant, and U. S. Rubber Company, Egan’s employer. The complaint alleged that Egan, in making the statement complained of, acted in the course of his employment by U. S. Rubber Company.

The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. The court not only had before it the pleadings and affidavits of the parties, but in addition heard testimony on the motion in order to satisfy itself whether there was any material issue of fact requiring a jury trial. The court concluded that there was no material issue…