Kleiman v. Beech-Nut Packing Co.

The gravamen of a cause of action for slander is the utterance of defamatory matter in the hearing of at least one person. The complaint here charges that the defamatory matter was uttered “ in the presence and hearing of divers persons including agents and representatives of firms with whom plaintiffs had been dealing and with whom they had good credit * * *.”

In view of this allegation defendant is entitled to know the names of the persons plaintiffs claim heard the defamatory matter.

The order appealed from should be modified by granting item 1 in full, and as so modified affirmed, without…