Case ID: misc_11/html/0620-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Van Wyck, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Howard T. Marston et al., Appellants, v. Gustav A. Baerenklan, Respondent.
    (City Court of New York—General Term,
    March, 1895.)
    Where the complaint in an action for services declares upon a special contract at an agreed price, and plaintiff’s, direct testimony is to the effect that such- sum was expressly agreed to he paid, testimony on his part 1 as to the value of the services is inadmissible.
    Appeal by plaintiff from judgment on verdict for defendant, and from order denying new trial.
    
      J. A. Kent, for appellants.
    
      J. P. Kiemarm, for respondent.
   Van Wyck, J.

The plaintiffs declared on a special contract to perform certain professional services as lawyers at an agreed price of $250, and the plaintiff, who alone conversed about the oral contract, testified unqualifiedly that the express agreement as to the price Was that it should be $250 for the designated services, and that defendant expressly agreed- to pay that sum for such services. This plaintiff was then asked, on his direct examination, by his own counsel: “ What, in your opinion, is a fair and reasonable price for the serv- . ices you rendered ? ” to which defendant objected, and his •objection was properly sustained. This plaintiff’s unqualified testimony was that the price had been fixed by express agreement, and he had so declared in his complaint, and such inquiry was not made, pertinent either by plaintiff’s pleading or proof, and if such inquiry was pertinent under his pleading it was precluded by his proof; defendant came unprepared to meet such an issue; the question was too general, for it permitted of an answer that the price was greater than the one agreed upon and fixed by plaintiff’s proof and pleading and no preliminary proof had been given of the witness’ qualification to answer such an inquiry. The plaintiffs’ other •exceptions .are to rulings upon questions asked by their adversary, and to which they objected, but failed to present the grounds of their objection, and are unavailing for purposes of review as-shown by the record in this case. Kuhn v. Am. Automatic Knife Co., 9 Misc. Rep. 54; Meyers v. Cohn, 4 Misc. Rep. 185; 53 N. Y. St. Repr. 223.

The case was properly submitted to the jury and no exception taken to the judge’s charge. The evidence is sufficient to justify the jury in finding as they did, that the plaintiffs did not perform any services for the defendant.

The judgment and order appealed from are affirmed, with costs.

Ehrlich, Ch. J., concurs.

Judgment and order affirmed,' with costs.