Philadelphia v. Coates

Opinion by Rice, P. J., It is argued by the defendant that where sewer assessments exceed in the aggregate the cost of the improvement, the city of Philadelphia cannot collect the excess, and thus make a profit out of the work. This is the only question upon which we are asked to pass although others are suggested in the affidavit of defense. The counsel for the city reply that the defendant will not be permitted to show that the cost of the improvement was less than the assessments where the assessments have been made in compliance with the acts of assembly (Act of March 27,1865, P. L. 791, and Act of March 30,1866, P. L. 354) and ordinances of councils fixing the price. Speaking of similar legislation the Supreme Court said in Lea v. Philadelphia, 80 Pa. 315 : “ The power to fix a charge for pipes laid in front of the property of the owners of lots on the streets of the city, as conferred by the act of April 21, 1855, not exceeding a certain limit, was a legislative assessment of the cost, as reasonable within this limit. From the very nature of the work, the cost must consist of many items, for example, taking up pavements and relaying them, excavation and refilling, the pipes themselves, their joining together, and other 'matters, which can be ascertained only by a fair estimate of the entire cost, and the average per foot. This was necessarily left to the local authority, which alone could determine it justly, and apportion it fairly. Hence, the legislature having determined, upon all the lights in its possession, what would be a reasonable limit of assessment committed the adjustment of the cost below this to the city itself, as the only just means of fixing a rightful charge upon the lot owner. It, therefore, authorized, not the collection of the cost of the work, but a charge to be ascertained and laid by the city.” Accordingly it was held in a suit on a claim charging the price per foot named in the statute, that evidence that the cost was less was not admissible. So also in Philadelphia v. Jewell, 135 Pa. 329, a paving case, Mr. Justice Mitchell said: “ The city now collects from the property owner, not the value of the work, but its cost as fixed [421] By ordinance; and this mode of ascertaining and fixing the cost is sustained on the ground of the public necessity and convenience, inherent in all rational taxation, that there should be a settled, ascertained, uniform, and practical method of computing the amount due by the taxpayer.” See also Stroud v. Philadelphia, 61 Pa. 255. But granting for the purposes of this discussion that notwithstanding the special acts in force in Philadelphia the defendant may allege and prove that the aggregate of assessments exceeds the cost of the improvement, is the fact distinctly alleged in this affidavit of defense ? We think not. True it is alleged that the contractor, has been paid by the defendant the sum which he agreed to accept for the work done by him. But it is clear, as is shown in the cases above cited, that the actual cost of the improvement may include other items besides the amount paid the contractor, and it is not alleged that the contract in question included these items. The contention that the liens filed in the name of the city represent a profit to the city is a mere inference not warranted by the facts alleged. So that in any view that may be taken of the statutes above referred to, the judgment must be affirmed because it does not clearly appear that the assessment exceeds the prescribed limit or the benefits conferred or the cost of the improvement. Judgment affirmed.