Southern v. Western States Portland Cement Co.

[214] The opinion of the court was delivered by Mason, J.: Henry Southern recovered a judgment against the Western States Portland Cement Company under the workmen’s compensation act, and the defendant appeals. 1. The action was brought in July, 1919. A demurrer was filed August 1, 1919, which was overruled January 17, 1920. An answer was filed January 26, and on February 4 the trial was begun over an objection by the defendant on the ground that the issues had not been joined ten days before that, as required by the statute. (Gen. Stat. 1915, § 7215.) This ruling is now complained of. It is clear that if the case had been set for trial at a later date the defendant would not have been able to make any better or different showing, and no contention is made that any actual prejudice resulted. To reverse the judgment under such circumstances by reason of the trial having been begun a day earlier than contemplated by the code would be futile and against the express mandate of the statute. (Gen. Stat. 1915, § 7485.) Upon the commencement of the trial the plaintiff was allowed to file a reply consisting of a general denial and the argument of the defendant that the case was not ripe for hearing is also based upon this additional consideration. The reply was probably unnecessary; at all events it made no change in the substantial controversy, and did not materially affect the situation. (Thompson v. Machine Co., 94 Kan. 453, 146 Pac. 1188.) 2. The statute provides that if an employer refuses to consent to an arbitration of a workman’s claim for compensation an action may be brought upon it, but only where the workman has consented to an arbitration or applied to the judge of the district court to appoint an arbitrator. (Laws 1917, ch. 226, § 20.) The defendant contends that the present action was not maintainable because the conditions stated had not been met. More than two months before the filing of the petition a letter was sent to the defendant containing a statement on behalf of the plaintiff that he wished to negotiate for a settlement of his claim and that if an agreement could not be reached he desired an arbitration, and requested that the matter be taken up with his attorney, whom he named, and by whom his name was [215] signed. To this no response was made. The letter was a sufficient consent to arbitrate on the part of the plaintiff. It amounted to a fair effort to bring about an arbitration and the failure of the defendant to respond to it may be regarded as a refusal to consent thereto. (Roper v. Hammer, 106 Kan. 374, 187 Pac. 858.) The plaintiff having consented to arbitration and having been met with a refusal was not required to apply to the district judge to appoint an arbitrator. (Goodwin v. Packing Co., 104 Kan. 747, 750, 180 Pac. 809.) 3. The defendant in its answer offered to arbitrate and renewed the offer at the trial. The plaintiff’s right to sue however accrued with the refusal of arbitration by the defendant and after having been acted upon could not be impaired by a subsequent change of policy on the part of the employer. 4. The defendant asserts that the court erred in submitting the case to a jury, the suggestion being that an arbitrator should have been appointed. The statute provides that the judge of the court in which an action might be maintained may under certain circumstances appoint an arbitrator (Laws 1917, ch. 226, § 11), but the provision is merely a means for aiding in the settlement of the controversy by arbitration. If the claim is to be settled by a lawsuit the ordinary methods of such procedure are to be employed — an arbitrator is not to be substituted for a jury. 5. A final contention of the defendant is that the court had no jurisdiction to render a lump-sum judgment. Where the matter is settled by arbitration compensation for future loss can be awarded only in periodical payments, but a different rule is provided where the controversy is determined by a court. (Boyd v. Mining Co., 105 Kan. 551, 553, 185 Pac. 9.) The judgment is affirmed.