Court Opinion

ID: 8654361
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 21:14:23.67323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:03.086481
License: Public Domain

Bartch, J.
*68This suit was brought by the plaintiff against the defendants to recover a certain sum of money, alleged to be due, by virtue of a written instrument which reads as follows:
“Salt Lake City, Utah, October 25, 1892. “Messrs. Fraser and Chalmers,
“Salt Lake City, Utah.
“We agree to assume any contracts by Mr. Hannes for Gas Producer and necessary fittings and extras that may be needed to the amount of $2,000.
“Yours truly,
“Chas. CraNe,
“W. H. Remington.”
Previous to the execution of this instrument, the plaintiff had received an order from Mr. Hannes, referred to therein, which reads:
“October 13, 1892.
“Fraser and Chalmers, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill.
“Gentlemen: — You will please enter credit for the following described machinery:
“No. of Pieces, 1. Price,-.
“Gas Producer complete. In the construction of this producer the drawings and work will be done under my personal supervision, and the charges for labor and material shall not be in excess of your regular established rates for similar work. It is understood that a proposition is to be entertained for giving the exclusive right to manufacture the Hannes gas producer to Fraser and Chalmers, and in case a satisfactory arrangement can be made this order will be subject to the terms and conditions of the contract for exclusive right, but in case no agreement is reached then the work done and material furnished is to be paid as above.
“ (Signed) W. F. Hannes.”
*69It appears that Hannes was the inventor of a design for a gas producer; that application had been made for a patent therefor; and that he had transferred to each of the defendants one-third interest in the invention. The owners, it seems, were desirous of having a machine or producer made to test the invention, and sent Hannes to the plaintiff in Chicago to direct and superintend its construction, and he gave the above order. The plaintiff demanded security for building the gas producer, and, upon receiving the instrument first above quoted, proceeded with the construction and completed a machine.
From the testimony of the plaintiff it appears that the machinery was constructed according to plans and drawings prepared by Hannes, and under his exclusive supervision and direction, and that the plaintiff furnished the labor and material as required by him.
The testimony of the defendants tends to show that the machine was not built in accordance with the plans of Hannes, or of any submitted by the defendants to the plaintiff or its agent. It is claimed by the defendants that Hannes had no authority to act for them in the matter, except to hasten the construction of the machine, and it seems that the plaintiff was not aware that Hannes had associates.
Upon the submission of the case to the jury, a verdict for $1,356 was returned in favor of the plaintiff, and, after judgment was entered thereon, the defendants appealed. Among various errors assigned is one, respecting the action of the court in denying their motion for a non-suit, when the plaintiff rested its case. It is contended that no attempt was made to connect the machine constructed, with the one for which appellants agreed to pay.
In the complaint, it is alleged that the defendants made application to the plaintiff to manufacture and furnish to *70Hannes, the necessary machinery and material for a gas producer, and the instrument in writing of October 25th, 1892, in which the defendants assumed “any contracts by Mr. Hannes for Gras Producer and necessary fittings and extras needed” to the amount of $2,000 was set out in full and formed the basis of the action. Then it was further alleged that upon the order, and under the direction of Hannes, the plaintiff manufactured and delivered to Hannes machinery, fixtures and fittings for the gas producer; that the same were delivered to Hannes upon the credit of the defendants, and charged to them pursuant to their written agreement; that they were accepted by Hannes; a'nd that upon demand made the defendants refused payment therefor. It was also alleged that the defendants were to be co-owners of the invention with Han-nes, and that it was a patented invention. When the motion for non-suit was made, the proof showed the order of Hannes, of October 13, 1892, for a gas producer, in the construction of which the drawings were to be made and work done under his personal supervision. It was further shown in evidence that the gas producer was not a known machine or appliance; that the plaintiff was not engaged in making such machines; that the one in question was made under the exclusive direction and supervision of Hannes, upon the credit of the defendants; that Hannes’ instructions for the construction of the machine were implicitly followed, and that defendants had assumed the contracts of Hannes for a gas producer to the amount of $2,000. An itemized account of the cost of the machine had also been introduced in evidence.
Without further reference to the testimony in detail, we are of the opinion that the proof supported the material allegations of the complaint sufficiently to establish a prima facie case, and therefore the motion for a non-suit was *71properly denied. It is true, as alleged by tbe appellants, tbe complaint alleges tbe fact that tbe producer was a patented invention, and there was no proof in support of that allegation. Tbe allegation itself, however, was immaterial under tbe circumstances, because, as Hannes, by tbe agreement of tbe defendants, set up in tbe complaint, and tbe evidence, was shown to have been tbe agent of the defendants, and as tbe machine was constructed under bis immediate direction and supervision, tbe plaintiff merely furnishing tbe labor and material, tbe defendants were equally bound by bis contracts to tbe extent of $2,000, whether tbe completed machine conformed strictly to tbe patented invention or whether it was in some respects a departure therefrom, so long as it was a gas producer. Tbe failure of proof, therefore, as to an immaterial allegation could not defeat plaintiff’s right to recover and was no sufficient ground for tbe granting of a non-suit. Nor does tbe fact that tbe machine when completed cost more than $2,000, relieve tbe appellants from liability under the contracts of Hannes, for any sum less than that amount. Their agreement of assumption did not limit tbe price of the producer, but simply their liability, which, regardless of tbe cost of the machine, could not exceed tbe sum mentioned in tbe writing. We discover no fatal variance between tbe allegations of tbe complaint and tbe proof.
It is also contended for tbe appellants that tbe court erred in refusing to permit tbe witness Trent to testify that Hannes’ letter of acceptance of tbe gas producer, was obtained by getting him a position in Mexico. That Hannes was tire agent of tbe appellants to procure tbe construction of a machine is a fact established beyond reasonable controversy by tbe pleadings and evidence. Tbe appellants agreed to “assume any contracts by Mr. Hannes for gas producer ” to tbe amount of a stipulated *72sum. There was no limitation in the writing or agreement to any particular gas producer. Nor is there anything in the writing which limited the agent’s authority. There is competent evidence which shows that the plaintiff merely furnished the labor and material, and that the producer was constructed as designed and planned by the agent, and under his exclusive direction and supervision. This was in accordance with the agent’s order for the machine. It is thus clear from the appellant’s agreement, the evidence and order of the agent that when the. material was furnished and work done, the liability of the principals for any sum due, not exceeding the limit stipulated, was complete, and did not depend on any acceptance, or result of the producer, or value thereof.
Under the facts and circumstances disclosed by the record, the matter of acceptance was thus wholly immaterial, and, therefore, even though the evidence' offered wds admissible, its exclusion was not prejudicial error.
It is not deemed important to discuss the other questions presented in this case. We have carefully considered the whole record and have found no reversible error.
The judgment is affirmed.
Zane, C. J., and Miner, J., concur.