Cribb v. Caskey

OVERFIEDD, District Judge. This is an action to foreclose a mechanic’s lien for labor performed and materials furnished in the reconstruction of a certain frame- building. From the facts admitted and those established without contradiction by the evidence in this case, it is conclusively shown: That the defendant owned a lot on which was situate the frame building, one story in height, 43x50 feet in dimensions, of the cost value of about $3,000. That on March 7, 1907, prior to the time the alleged services and materials were furnished, the defendant gave an option on the property herein to Wedgewood, Moran, and Cullen, trustees, and receiving $1,-000 in cash, the further consideration of $4,000 to be paid on or before the 1st day of August, 1908; the option being placed of record in the Fairbanks recording precinct November 27, 1907. The evidence is uncontradicted that the lien claimants had actual knowledge of the posting in conspicuous places of the notices posted on December 20, 1907, by Caskey, both on the lot and building, which was prior to the time the lien claimants furnished labor or material, as claimed in their lien. It was also conceded that, under the facts in this case, no lien can be legally claimed by the plaintiff against the ground on which the building is situate. The single question of law is then presented, admitting that the evidence does not sustain the allegation of the agency of one Steffenson, connecting him with the defendant: Does the lien attach in this action ho the building on which the labor was performed and materials furnished? This question was squarely before the district court of the Second judicial division, Alaska, in the case of Russell v. Hayner, 130 Fed. 90, 64 C. C. A. 424, and upon appeal the lower court’s decision was affirmed in an opinion by Justice Hawley, in the Circuit Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. In that case the first point [253] discussed was as to tbe sufficiency of the allegation in the complaint, connecting the lien claimants with the owners of the lot and building. The building had been altered and repaired by the lienors, under contract with one Helen Hayner, who held the lot and building and was in possession of the same at the time, under an option to purchase from the owners, Leo Bartz and Charles Seipel. There was no allegation in the complaint that the lien claimants furnished material or labor for the owners of the lot and building, but that they were furnished for Helen Hayner. After discussing the necessity of the allegation by the lien claimants and connecting them with the owners of the building under contract for the erection, alteration, and repairs, the opinion says: “But, even if it could be held that the allegation as to the ownership of the building was sufficient, still the complaint would be defective, because the statement in the lien that Leo Bartz and Charles Seipel are the names of the owners of the lot of land upon which the building was erected, and that Helen F. Hayner was the name of the party who was under an agreement to purchase, and that she was the person who entered into an agreement with the person for the erection of the building, is not sufficient to constitute a compliance with the provisions of the Alaska Code. * * * The mere fact the appellants (the ben claimants) built the structure at the instance of Hayner, who was in possession of the land under a contract of purchase with the owners, is not of itself sufficient to constitute a valid lien upon the building. In order to bring the case within the provisions of section 262, it must be alleged and proved that the work or labor was done ‘at the instance of the owner of the building, or bis agent.’ * * * To authorize a ben under the provisions of this section, there must be an employment by the owner of the building, or his authorized agent; and the employment of the contractors by Helen F. Hayner, who was occupying the land under contract of purchase, does not constitute the employment contemplated by this provision of the Code.” The opinion then continues to discuss the liabilities of the owner under section 265 of the Alaska Civil Code. Assuming they were not parties to the contract, yet having actual knowledge of the employment and materials furnished, the court says: “In order to bring the case within the provisions of section 265 of the Alaska Code, it was necessary for the appellants (the ben claimants) to have alleged in the complaint or lien that the building was constructed upon the land, ‘with the knowledge of the owner [254] or person having or claiming any interest therein,’ for it is only in snch cases that this section provides that it shall be held to have been constructed ‘at the instance of such owner or person or persons having or claiming any interest therein,’ unless the owner gives the notice therein prescribed, and this notice is not required to be given until after the owner shall have obtained ‘knowledge of the construction’ of the building.” To bind the building under a mechanic’s lien for labor and materials furnished, there must be an employment by the owner of the building, or his authorized agent; to constitute the contractor, subcontractor, architect, builder, or other person having charge of the construction, alteration, or repair, in whole or in part, of any building, the statutory agent of the owner, such person must have been employed directly or indirectly at the instance of the owner, or his conventional agent. Gould v. Wise, 18 Nev. 253, 3 Pac. 90; Cross v. Tscharnig, 27 Or. 49, 39 Pac. 540; Litherland v. Morton, 54 Or. 71, 100 Pac. 1. “At the instance” of the owner signifies at the motion of; consent; at least, knowledge of. The defendant Caskey admits he knew when the option was given that the parties intended to make some changes or repairs on the building, and while he did not forbid this, and probably acquiesced, and it might be inferred that he intended that the work should be done and paid for by the defendants, then in possession of the property and who contracted for the work, yet, the moment it became apparent to him that the actual remodeling of the building was about to take place, he immediately availed himself of the provisions under section 265 of the Alaska Code, and posted notices, as therein provided, giving immediate notice to the plaintiff that he would not be responsible. The plaintiff and his assignors then had constructive notice from the records in the recorder’s office, at Fairbanks, that the defendant Caskey had optioned the property, as well as the actual notice above mentioned; yet, under all these circumstances, he persistently pursued his efforts, and now would hold the building of the defendant liable. Such a construction cannot be legally maintained under the statute, nor can it be based on any equities known to this court. [255] Counsel for plaintiff contends in his brief that the building, as altered and enlarged, should be held under the lien, citing many cases, but the court is unable to find a single authority to sustain such a contention on the facts before the court in this action. It is true that cases are numerous where buildings have been held under liens similar to the ones filed in this action, under statutes whose provisions are practically the same as ours, but in each instance two distinct features will be found, not present here: First, that the structures on which the lien is sought to be imposed has been added to the realty during the term of the option or lease, in other words, that it is not the mere alteration or repair, but either a new building or such alteration of another, having no particular value so as to- make it, to all intents and purposes, new. In either event, it is an addition to the realty as it existed when optioned or leased, and permitting a lienor to reap the fruits of his labors, and not in the least impair the value of the building or property when returned to the optioner or lessor; and, second, that the character of the building or structure, machinery, etc., permits its being severed from the realty. While considerable alteration was made in the structure owned by the defendant, during the time it was held under the option, yet the fact remains that it cost and was worth about $3,000 at the time the alteration or reconstruction began, and though enlarged from a one-story building, 43x50 feet, to a two-story building, and an addition made of the same height, 25x43 feet, practically reconstructing the former into a new building, so far as appearances are concerned, still the evidence shows that the materials formerly in the building still remained, though distributed throughout the altered structure; some in their original position and others now in the second story which were formerly in the first story. It is suggested that to hold such a building not subject to a lien for labor or materials furnished in its reconstruction would allow the owners to commit a fraud on the lienors, by the owners entering into an agreement with their lessors, or to a person holding the property under an option, to erect or reconstruct a build [256] ing and then cut off the lienors’ rights by posting notices, as required under section 265 of our Code. In this case no fraud is either alleged or intimated nor deception practiced. Nearly all human affairs may be made the subject of fraud, but for that reason courts are not justified in anticipating fraud and refusing to apply the statutes to the conditions within its terms, when shown. There is no evidence before the court that this building can be severed from the realty. Let findings of fact and conclusions of law be prepared accordingly.