Case Name: Elmer E. Tarburton, complainant, v. Edna Johnson, executrix, &c., et al., defendants
Court: New Jersey Court of Chancery
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1931-09-14
Citations: 111 N.J. Eq. 141
Docket Number: 
Parties: Elmer E. Tarburton, complainant, v. Edna Johnson, executrix, &c., et al., defendants.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Equity Reports
Volume: 111
Pages: 141–142

Head Matter:
Elmer E. Tarburton, complainant, v. Edna Johnson, executrix, &c., et al., defendants.
[Submitted September 8th, 1931.
Decided September 14th, 1931.]
Messrs. French, Richards <& Bradley, with whom appeared Mr. Walter R. Bacon, for the complainant.
Mr. Franh R. Bacon, for whom appeared Mr. LeRoy W. Loder, for the defendants.

Opinion:
Teaming, Y. C.
I am convinced that the relief now sought by complainant cannot be awarded.
While the supplemental agreement of February 17th, 1922, contains a clause imposing on complainant a liability for one-third of possible losses of the business, it is clear that, as between the parties, in the absence of rights of creditors, their status must be controlled by the terms of the original agreement and its several supplements, read together. The original agreement specifically defines the status and rights of the respective parties in the business, and no modification of those provisions is to be found in any of the supplements. It is there specifically set forth that complainant's status is that of an employe and not that of a partner; the additional terms imposed upon complainant by the supplement of February 17th, 1922, whereby he is made to share the risk of loss, cannot, as between the parties, be held to overcome their specifically expressed intent. As between them their rights must he defined as specifically agreed upon; no rule of law forbids that in any engagement made in good faith and clearly understood by the parties.