Court Opinion

ID: 6740088
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:21:13.641961+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:55.967409
License: Public Domain

BeoNSON, J.
(dissenting). Elayer made to plaintiff a note for $562 dated October 14th, 1919, and due October 1st, 1920. To secure the same, Elayer executed a chattel mortgage upon the crops to be grown in 1920 on a half section of land owned by him. This mortgage was recorded in October, 1919. Elaycr’s share of the crops in 1920 was delivered to defendant at its elevator in Eero, North Dakota. The same consisted of wheat, oats, rye, and flax. On October 4th, 1920, defendant issued seven storage tickets in the name of Elayer to this grain. On this date plaintiff, by letter, notified defendant that he held a chattel mortgage upon the owner’s share of the crops grown during 1920 on the premises affected. On January 19th, 1921, plaintiff, through the sheriff as his agent, issued a notice of foreclosure concerning his chattel mortgage upon the crops. Notice was therein given that plaintiff would sell such crops at defendant’s elevator at Eero at 2 p. m. on January_29th, 1921. The affidavit for publication of this notice recites such notice was published once, viz.: January 20th, 1920. On January 29th, 1921, plaintiff, through his agent, offered and attempted to sell such amount of the grain covered by the mortgage and deposited with defendant as was necessary to satisfy plaintiff’s claims and costs. Upon such foreclosure, defendant failed, refused, and neglected to deliver to plaintiff the grain covered by the mortgage, or the proceeds thereof, or any part thereof, and on such day the same was demanded by plaintiff’s agent, the sheriff. Prior to such attempted foreclosure, no demand had been made for the possession of the grain by the mortgagee. On May 13th, 1921, one Anderson instituted an action against Elayer and a garnishment proceeding against defendant herein as garnishee in such action. Plaintiff herein was interpleaded as a defendant in such action. On June 18th, 1921, plaintiff instituted this action for conversion against defendant. Shortly after the grain in controversy *513was placed in defendant's custody various and adverse claims were made to tbe same or to different parts thereof under claims, liens, and mortgages: One Obert Blessum of Rugby, North Dakota, claimed a thresher’s lien upon the same in a large amount; plaintiff claimed a lien under his chattel mortgage; Anderson, who sued Elayer, made a claim of right to have the grain sold and applied to Elayer’s indebtedness to him.
On July 26th, 1021, defendant herein served upon plaintiff its answer wherein it alleges that since the delivery of grain to its elevator and while the storage tickets were outstanding in Elayer’s name, diverse and different persons have made claim to the grain, to some interests therein, or to the proceeds thereof, namely, the plaintiff, one Archie Anderson, Elayer, and Obert Blessum; that defendant, as bailee, has no interests other than to protect itself against loss of damage and see to it, as far as possible, that the person entitled to receive such grain or its proceeds obtain the same; that this defendant has been and is wholly unable to determine who is entitled to such grain or to any part thereof, or to the proceeds thereof; that because of such adverse claims and because of defendant’s inability to determine as to whom said grain or proceeds should be delivered, it caused to be deposited the duplicate storage tickets representing such grain in the office of the clerk of the district court; that defendant makes no personal claim of any kind in the action other than to protect itself against loss or damage and to have determined the party or parties who are rightfully entitled to receive such grain or the proceeds thereof.
. Pursuant to such allegations all the facts above stated, as well as the facts contained in such allegations of the answer, were stipulated at the trial. It was stipulated that notice of such deposit was duly given and served upon all of the known claimants as by law provided and that the grain and storage tickets representing same were still on file in the trial court. On July 29th, 1921, the defendant, as garnishee, in the action of Anderson v. Elayer made affidavit, reciting principally the facts above stated concerning the receipt and storage of the grain and the claims of adverse claimants and the deposits in court made by the defendant.
The trial court found, in addition to general findings upon the stipulated facts above stated, that plaintiff in the Anderson action in which *514be was interpleaded necessarily expended, in protection of bis interest, $9.30 sheriff’s fees; $2.10 witness fees. That plaintiff necessarily incurred in making the foreclosure $3 printer’s fees; $16.50 agent’s fees, together with $44.50 foreclosure costs and $11.40 (above mentioned). That defendant has never paid to anyone the value of the grain and has refused at all times to deliver the same, or any part thereof, to plaintiff, that on July 29th, 1921, defendant attempted to deposit the grain with the clerk of the court and for that purpose executed duplicate storage tickets representing the grain received from Elayer and gave notice to parties interested of its intention to deposit the grain by a deposit of such duplicate storage tickets. The trial court made conclusions of law that plaintiff was entitled to recover $679.05 with interest thereon at 6 per cent since January 29th, 1921, together with $11.40, making a total amount of $739.34. That defendant on January 29th, 1921, converted the grain; that its value on such date was far in excess of amount due plaintiff; that, as to defendant, plaintiff made a valid foreclosure; that the chattel mortgage was a first lien upon the grain; that no proper deposit was made and as to plaintiff was void; that the debt due plaintiff is the same debt alleged by plaintiff in the Anderson action and that upon payment of the judgment herein, defendant will be entitled to be subrogated to plaintiff’s rights to extent of amount due on January 29th, 1921, viz.: $679.08; that plaintiff was entitled to his costs and disbursements herein. Judgment was so entered, including $21.90 costs and disbursements herein.
Opinion.
It is apparent that the attempted foreclosure proceedings were invalid ; the date of publication proved was January 20th, 1920; evidently intended for January 20th, 1921. But such proof afforded no authority for a valid foreclosure sale on January 29th, 1921. Comp. Laws, 1913, § 8125. Plaintiff elected to proceed by notice, and not without notice, under § 8127, Comp. Laws, 1913. This is technical but plaintiff seeks the enforcement of technical rights to make defendant pay his demand with costs of foreclosure and other expenses. Accordingly, the findings and conclusions of the trial court are at least erroneous in holding the foreclosure valid for any purposes herein and in permitting plaintiff to *515recover tbe costs of sucli attempted foreclosure. Upon wbat theory tbe trial court allowed plaintiff to recover against tbe defendant in this action, bis costs incurred in another action (tbe Anderson action), tbe record does not disclose; in fact, tbe record does not disclose what proceedings were taken in tbe Anderson action or bow tbe plaintiff herein happened to be therein interpleaded. Again, tbe trial court erroneously allowed this item of costs.
Tbe majority opinion of this court is based upon three general propositions: (1) That proof of tbe demand and refusal on January 29th, 1921, established a conversion for tbe reason that no evidence was offered to rebut or explain the refusal; (2) That the proper measure of damages was the market price of the grain on January 29th, 1921, and that the-judgment is based upon such market value so established; (3) That no proper deposit was made because defendant has not brought itself within the statute, § 7594, Comp. Laws, 1913.
(1) It is true the record is abbreviated and the facts in some respects neither definite nor clear; practically all of the facts are established by stipulation but with such stipulation were introduced certain exhibits. One of such exhibits, together with the stipulation, contains the evidence that, shortly after the grain was received by defendant, adverse claims were made to the grain. Obert Blessum claimed the thresholds lien. Plaintiff claimed a lien; Anderson made a claim of right. What happened between the time these claims were made and the time of the demand on January 29th, 1921, the record fails to disclose. What reasons actuated the defendant in not complying with the demand on January 29th, 1921, also do not appear. However, when plaintiff made the demand upon defendant on January 29th, 1921, for purposes of foreclosure, he know that defendant was not a wrongdoer in receiving the wheat and issuing a storage ticket therefor. Sanford v. Duluth & D. Elevator Co. 2 N. D. 6, 48 N. W. 434. He knew further that defendant was merely holding such grain as a bailee for the proper persons entitled thereto and that it claimed no rights of ownership therein; that the reception of the grain constituted a bailment and not a sale. § 3114; State ex rel. Ertelt v. Daniels, 35 N. D. 5, 9, 159 N. W. 17. I am not prepared to hold, directly or inferentially, that the defendant, as such bailee, was then bound on the moment of the demand to deliver-the grain or its value, or be held liable for its conversion, without any *516right to reasonably inquire or ascertain concerning the conflicting demands made.
(2) The proper measure of damages to which plaintiff was entitled ■was not the value of the grain on January 29th, 1921. The court did not award plaintiff judgment for such market value. The market value of the grain on January 29th, 1921, as proved, was slightly over $900. The court awarded to plaintiff the amount of his demand, with interest, duo on January 29th, 1921, namely, $034.55, plus foreclosure costs, $44.50; total $079.05. The statute permits a recovery in damages for conversion for the value of the property at the time of the conversion, with interest; or the highest market value of the property at the time between conversion and the verdict, without interest, when the action has been prosecuted with reasonable diligence, and a fair compensation for the time and money expended in pursuit of the property. Comp. Laws 1913, § 7108. But, this rule for damages applicable in conversion docs not mean that one may unjustly enrich himself at the expense of another. Tt does not mean that one holding a chattel mortgage for $100 upon grain held by a bailee; both at the time of conversion '$1,000 is entitled to recover such $1,000 and thereby enrich himself to the extent of $900.
Plaintiff could recover only his special interest in the property converted. Only the extent of his actual loss. IIis compensation must be commensurate with the actual injury suffered. Lovejoy v. Merchants State Bank, 5 N. D. 623, 626, 67 N. W. 956; Hanson v. Skogman, 14 N. D. 445, 449, 105 N. W. 90; State Bank v. Hurley Farmers Elevator Co. 33 N. D. 272, 281, 156 N. W. 921. Plaintiff was not entitled, in any event, to recover an amount exceeding his demand. His demand was the amount of the note with interest up to the date of the judgment, together with whatever fair compensation he might have established in the evidence for the lime and money properly expended in pursuit of the property. In this regard the trial court erred to the extent of fixing the amount of plaintiff’s demand as of the date of January 29th, 1921, with legal rate of interest thereafter, instead of the total amount of plaintiff’s demand up to the time of judgment in accordance with the terms of the note.
(3) The trial court held that no proper deposit was made. The majority opinion holds that defendant, in making the deposit, did not *517bring itself within the terms of the statute. The question is, If a proper deposit was not made, bow can it be made under § 7594, Comp. Laws, 1913, in a conversion action? The majority opinion assigns no reason why the deposit was not made pursuant to the terms of the statute. Upon this record and the stipulation made between the parties, the defendant, on duly 19th, 1921, deposited with the clerk of the trial court the grain itself as well as the storage tickets therefor. The stipulation was that “on July 29th, 1921, the said grain was deposited with the clerk by depositing with the clerk duplicate storage tickets representing the same grain; that the defendant, did not have possession of or control over the original storage tickets issued for said grain, and that, therefore, defendant made the best deposit that was possible under the physical conditions existing; that said grain and the storage tickets representing same still remain on file in this court as aforesaid.” -Plaintiff objected ‘to such deposit for the reason that action was instituted June 18th and the attempted deposit was made on July 29th, 1921, and on the further ground that no actual grain was ever delivered to the clerk and that any delivery made was made by depositing duplicate storage tickets and on the further ground that, as to the plaintiff, such deposit came too late. For the purposes of this action, Was there a deposit made of the grain and of the duplicate storage tickets? No objection was specifically made because the actual grain physically was not transferred, in fact to, and within, the office of the clerk. The parties did stipulate that such grain and the storage ticket representing same were still on file with the court. If plaintiff desired not so to stipulate he should have so stated and not stipulated to a fact and thereafter object to the fact concerning which he has stipulated. But, in any event, the storage ticket is the evidence of or for the physical grain. Comp. Laws, 1913, §§ 3,112, 3,113. It was not necessary for plaintiff to demand the identical grain. A fiction of law interposed by which the bailee was entitled to offer in substitution grain of the same grade and quantity. In effect, the intent plainly was to surrender the grain and all evidences thereof into the hands of the depositary. The defendant did not even withhold the right to deduct storage charges. See State ex rel. Ertlet v. Daniels, 35 N. D. 5, 9, 159 N. W. 17.
In McLaughlin v. Dodge Elevator Co. 43 N. D. 231, 235, 174 N. W. 871, the court held that the property or a duplicate storage ticket rep*518resenting it was not deposited witli the clerk of the court but that the deposit consisted of an amount of money which was the equivalent of the value of the grain less storage charges on the day the summons was served on the defendant. This also was an action for conversion. This court held that the statute did not authorize the deposit in court of the present value of the property alleged to have been converted at some prior time. I assume, therefore, that, properly, for the purposes of this action, a deposit of both the grain and the storage tickets were made with the clerk of the trial court. If it were so made and due notice thereof was given as has also been stipulated, Avhat was the effect of such deposit in connection with this action ?
The statute has been set forth in full in the majority opinion. The pertinent provisions of the statute provide that whenever a bailee, in possession of any personal property, has notice or knowledge of any right or claim of right, of any person in or to any part of such property adverse to the right of any other claimant therefor, he may deliver such property when an action in any form has been commenced for an account of or growing out of the same, to the clerk of the court in which any such action, having reference to such said property or the value thereof, may be pending or out of which any garnishment or other process may issue with reference thereto, and upon giving the notice described in the statute he is thereupon relieved from further liability to any person on account of such property.
I am of the opinion that the record fully discloses, pursuant to the stipulation, that the defendant, as bailee, did have notice and knowledge of rights and claims of rights of persons to such property adverse to the rights of other claimants therefor; that this action was an action commenced on account of such property, namely, the grain; that the defendant, for the purposes of this action, and pursuant to the stipulation, did deliver such property to the clerk of the trial court. In other words, that the terms of the statute were made available to defendant and it came within the terms thereof, pursuant to the facts stipulated.
In McKenzie v. Hopkins, 29 N. D. 180, 150 N. W. 881, an action was brought to determine the ownership of the proceeds of a certain crop. The rights of an owner, a tenant, and chattel mortgagees were involved. Certain crops were shipped to an elevator company. The elevator company sold the same and retained possession of the proceeds. *519It then made an application to- tbe district court stating the amount of money received; that there were adverse claims to such money, and requesting the court to designate a depositary. This proceeding was under the alternative provision in § 7594 permitting an application where no suit has been commenced. The court stated that if the elevator company had failed to make an application it probably would have become involved in expensive litigation with all parties to the action, it might have become liable for conversion or other forms of action; that the statute was intended to obviate this risk on the part of the elevator company; that by making this application for deposit the fund could bo preserved intact and the elevator company relieved of liability to either of the claimants; that the statute appeared to be a very salutary provision and intended by the legislature to apply to claims of the nature therein concerned. In McLaughlin v. Dodge Elevator Co. supra, rye grown on Mrs. Kerr’s farm was delivered to the elevator on August 28th, 1915, and a storage ticket issued to her. On September 1st, 1915, she assigned the same to plaintiff. About that time a thresher’s lien was filed against the crop. On September 15th, 1915 and January 27 th, 1916, plaintiff made written demand for the rye but the grain was not delivered, pursuant to the demand, because the agent was advised to hold the grain on account of disputes concerning the same. Plaintiff instituted an action of conversion on March 13th, 1916. On that day defendant deposited in court the market value of the grain as it was upon that day at Wolford, North Dakota. The court held that the statute did not authorize the deposit in court of the present value of property alleged to have been converted at some other time; that when the action involves either specific property or its value the statute authorizes its deposit in court; that the statute was merely intended to relieve a person who is in a position analogous to that of a stakeholder who is relieved by delivering up the stakes.
In Austin v. March, 86 Minn. 232, 90 N. W. 384, a statute, chap. 329 Minn. Laws, 1895, almost identical in language with quoted provisions of § 7594, Comp. Laws, 1913, was considered. In that case the defendants delivered wheat and flax into Barry’s elevator for which storage tickets were issued. Barry gave to defendants some promissory notes as collateral security for payment of the storage tickets. Barry shipped the wheat to a commission firm in Minneapolis. Defendants *520subsequently made claim to tlie wheat and the commission firm paid to them the value of'the wheat. Defendants delivered to the commission firm the storage tickets. The commission firm did not know about the notes as collateral security. The makers of the notes, so held as collateral security, paid the amount thereof to defendants. Plaintiff, successor of the commission firm, brought this action to recover the amount paid by the commission house to defendants on principles of subrogation. During this time Barry was insolvent. The defendants answered contesting the right of plaintiff to any part of the proceeds of the collateral security. Barry’s trustee appeared in the action and made claims to the money collected on the collateral security. The defendants, before the entry of judgment, paid into court the portion for which the court had ordered judgment in favor of plaintiff and moved for an order relieving them from further responsibility under the law above stated. The court held:
“This statute was intended to meet cases where a person occupies the position of bailee or custodian, unable to determine to whom the property or money held by him rightfully belongs, and to which he himself makes no claim of right or title. To- protect such a person from a possible double liability, the statute provides that he may deposit the money or property in court, and thereupon be relieved from further liability to any of the claimants. It was not intended to apply to persons who make personal claim to the -property in their possession, but only to those who are disinterested bailees or custodians, having no claim of their own, and not disputing the rights of the various claimants. The design and intention of the legislature was to give in simplified form the relief granted by courts of equity at common law by the proceeding known as an interpleader, and the rules and principles of law applicable to that proceeding must govern and control proceedings under the statute.”
It is apparent that defendant is in the position of a mere stakeholder. ‘It has claimed no rights in the grain. It has asserted no defense against the validity of plaintiff’s lien. It has surrendered and deposited in court the specific property and the evidences thereof. It has given notice to all parties interested. It stands in a position of indifference concerning the disposition of the property. It has done all that a stakeholder could do in order to relieve itself of further liability; for it *521lias surrendered the property and all right and control thereover. Accordingly, in my opinion, the defendant made a proper deposit under the terms of the statute, pursuant to the facts in this record. The statute ivas enacted for the very purpose of giving an opportunity to a stakeholder to thus relieve himself from further liability. Having made such proper deposit it was relieved from further liability to plaintiff on account of the bailment of such property. But this deposit did not serve to relieve defendant of his liability that had accrued prior to the time of making such deposit. Whatever loss plaintiff had suffered, up to the time of the deposit, was recoverable against defendant within the rule of compensation permitted a lien holder in an action for conversion. If it be asserted, and the proof should show, -that the difference between the price or value of the grain on January 29th, 1921, and the price or value at the time when the deposit was made would occasion loss and damage to plaintiff, the answer is that the liability for such loss is not absolved by the statute or the terms thereof. But, if,.on the contrary, after the deposit was made the value of the grain should lessen one half or should double in value, the contingent loss or profit as the case may be, is placed upon the parties claiming right thereto and not upon the stakeholder who by the deposit has released his bailment of such property. In other words, the statute fulfills the purpose of relieving a bailee from becoming a speculator in the market concerning the value of grain whereby he either may suffer gain or loss through the rise or depreciation in the price of grain after it has made a proper deposit. Erroneously, in my opinion, the majority opinion serves to emasculate the statute and its purposes by practically permitting no deposit to be made in any action for conversion; for, manifestly, plaintiff herein had no cause of action until a conversion occurred. In my opinion the tidal court should have adjudicated the amount of plaintiff’s demand to be the principal of the note with interest at 10 per cent up to the date of the judgment. It should have determined the same to be a first lien upon the grain, or the value thereof. It should have ordered a sale of the grain or the delivery thereof to plaintiff for purposes of foreclosure. It should have directed a personal judgment against defendant for the costs accrued up to the time of the deposit made and in case of deficiency in the proceeds of such grain or upon the sale thereof, a personal judgment against defendant for the *522amount of loss sustained by reason of the depreciation, if any,- existing- and resulting between the value of the grain when demanded and the value when deposited. Thus, in my opinion, would the statute be given effect and the plaintiff be fully compensated within the rule of compensation allowable to him.