Snyder v. Bassler Limestone Co.

Opinion bx Williams, J., This was an action of assumpsit to recover damages for the breach of a covenant in a lease of a quarry in which the defendant, as lessee, agreed, inter alia, “to use the stripping from this property to fill the building lots facing on the Lebanon pike, from the Holstein property on the west to the barn on the east, approximately leveling the ground to a height not to exceed 2% feet at any point above the pike level. Any stripping in excess of that required to fill lots as above provided, may be disposed of by the lessee as best suits its convenience. It being understood, however, that any filling will be kept reasonably level, and not of excessive height.” The term of the lease began August 1, 1911, and was to continue for thirty years if not sooner terminated by the lessee. The jury found that during the term of the lease, which had been terminated by the lessee, as of the date of July 14,1915, some of the stripping was deposited upon the designated building lots, but that they were never filled to the height fixed in the lease, and that the great bulk of the stripping was placed upon other land without the consent of the lessor. It appears that the action was brought on June 16, 1915, while the defendant still had time to perform its covenant. No objection to the time when the action was brought was made until after the plaintiffs testimony was closed. This was subsequent to the termination of the lease. The appellant, not having filed a plea in abatement, must be held to have Avaived its right by pleading the general issue and going to trial on the merits: Meikle v. Northwestern Nat. Ins. Co., 243 Pa. 557; Immel v. Herb, 50 Pa. Superior Ct. 241. The other question raised is whether the court adopted the correct measure of damages. The court charged that “the measure of damages in this case is the reasonable cost to the plaintiff to put the ground where the contract provided it should go.” This was a correct statement. Where there has been a breach of a contract to perforin [9] a specific piece of work or service the plaintiff is entitled to recover what it would reasonably cost to perform the same, or what it would reasonably cost to restore the property to its original condition: 13 Cyc. 162. This is the rule in this State: Erie and Pittsburgh R. R. Co. v. Johnson, 101 Pa. 555; Hays v. Wilkinsburg & E. Pbg. St. Ry. Co., 204 Pa. 488. In McDowell’s App., 123 Pa. 381, Hand, J., said (409) : “We have a covenant kept in part and broken as to the residue, and the measure of damages is what it cost to fulfil the contract.” The appellant, however, contends that, because the appellee could not possibly benefit more than $200 if the contract or covenant had been carried out or performed, as the market value of the lots would not be more than that if filled up, he can only recover their value. The cases cited by appellant are not applicable. This is not an action to determine the liability of the defendant for a taking in eminent domain, for an intentional trespass, or for negligence, but is to recover the expense to which the lessor will be put to carry out the unperformed covenant of the lessee. It appears from the evidence that the stripping was placed where the lessor does not want it, and not placed where he does. The effect on the market value of the lots is a collateral matter with which we have no concern. The plaintiff’s reason for wanting the stripping spread on the Lebanon pike lots is not material. If it were, the lease shows that in addition to filling these lots, he also wanted to dispose of the stripping where it would do the most good to the land as a whole, and not diminish its value. The defendant received the benefits of the lease, but refused to pay part of the consideration, viz: dispose of the stripping in a certain way. This imposed on the plaintiff the cost of doing that which defendant had covenanted to do, and this cost is the true measure of damages. The judgment is affirmed.