Case ID: minn_163/html/0153-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Wilson, O. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

H. H. HOFF v. BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER COMPANY.
    
    May 1, 1925.
    No. 24,577.
    Finding of trial court on conflicting evidence about question of fact sustained on appeal.
    A writing was. ambiguous. The evidence offered by the parties in support of their respective' contentions presented a question of fact, and the findings are justified by the evidence.
    1. See Appeal and Error, 4 C. J. p. 883, § 2855.
    Action in the municipal court of Minneapolis for breach of contract of employment. The case was tried before Reed, J., who ordered judgment in favor of defendant. Plaintiff appealed from an order denying his motion for a new trial.
    Affirmed.
    
      McDowell & Fosseen, for appellant.
    
      Loving & Andevson, for respondent.
    
      
       Reported in 203 N. W. 594.
    
   Wilson, O. J.

Action to recover $800 for an alleged breach of contract of employment: The court found for defendant and the plaintiff now appeals from an order denying his alternative motion for judgment or for a new trial.

Plaintiff claims that he has a written contract of employment for the period of one year. The alleged contract is in the form of a letter and the important part is as follows:

“Minneapolis, Minn.
“February 18, 1922
“Mr. H. H. Hoff,
“Minneapolis Branch,
“Dear Sir:
“According to our understanding, your salary is to be $200.00 per month and with 4% commission on all sales over $100,000.00, between now and Jan. 1st, 1923, your salary to begin Feb. 15th, 1922.”

Defendant admits the employment, but says it was for no definite period. It claims the period specified in the writing related exclusively to the period within which sales to the extent of $100,000 had to be made to entitle plaintiff to the 4 per cent commission above the monthly salary.

The writing itself is ambiguous. Each of the parties introduced testimony to show what the intention of the parties was. The claims were conflicting and presented a question of fact. Its determination rested with the trial court which made findings in accordance iyith the claims of defendant. The evidence justified the findings.

Affirmed.