Fell v. John F. Betz & Son, Ltd.

Opinion by W. D. Porter, J., By an agreement filed of record the parties submitted all matters in controversy in this proceeding to Richard C. Dale, Esq., as referee under the act of May 14, 1874. The liability of the defendant depended upon whether it was in the beneficial enjoyment of the demised premises, or had the right to such enjoyment, during the period for which the plaintiff sought to recover rent. The referee found that the defendant was in constructive possession of the property, and accordingly entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff. All the assignments of error relate to this finding of fact. It is competent for a referee, in ascertaining the facts of any case, to draw such conclusions from the facts proved or admitted to be true as it would have been permissible for a jury to draw in discharging the same function. The decision of a referee under the act of May 14, 1874, upon the facts, will not, when there is any evidence to support it, be disturbed, so long as the conclusion is untainted by fraud: Brown v. Dempsey, 95 Pa. 243; Commonwealth v. Hulings, 129 Pa. 317; Commonwealth v. Westinghouse Air Brake Company, 151 Pa. 276. We are not satisfied that the conclusion of the learned referee was without evidence to support it. The judgment is affirmed.