Berlin Machine Works v. Midland Coal & Lumber Co.

MR. JUSTICE SMITH delivered the opinion of the court. On September 27, 1907, the defendant at Plains, Montana, ordered of the plaintiff, at Beloit, Wisconsin, in writing, one No. 108 open side molder with directions to ship “in good order f. o. b. Beloit, Wisconsin, at once,” at an agreed price of $900, payable within sixty days after date of shipment. The order also contained this stipulation: “In ease of rejection of the property or failure to pay as stated herein, consignee shall at once return and deliver the property in good order to consignor, f. o. b. Beloit, Wis.” The machine was not shipped until October 28, 1907, and was not received until December 7; but defendant made no objection on that score. On January 18, 1908, it notified the plaintiff that the machine was defective, and from that time on until May 12, 1908, many letters passed between the parties; the defendant constantly claiming that the molder was defective, and the plaintiff demanding payment therefor. On March 24 defendant notified the plaintiff by letter that, unless it sent a man to put the machine in condition, “We will take it out of the mill and await your further order.” On April 4 it wrote a letter to the plaintiff, in part as follows: “If we find the machine in the condition that our man reported and that your man has stated that the machine could not be fixed with [395] out new bed-plates, we shall remove the machine at once from our mill and it will be at your disposal. In ease we replace the machine we will hold same for the advance charges of freight, some $86.” The response was a demand for payment. On May 5 it again wrote to plaintiff, as follows: “We have to-day ordered our manager at Plains to take the machine out and put back the old one, and while we should charge you $100 for trouble in making the change, we only ask you to pay the advance freight charges that we have been to with your machine. We will keep the machine covered up until you can order us where to ship it to. It is absolutely no good to us and not as represented by your salesman.” On May 9 it again wrote, as follows: “We received the machine in due time after a shipment and are ready to pay for the same if it were not defective. You probably could sell the same in Spokane. We have no use for it. The machine is at your disposal if you will send us a check to cover the freight, $85.” This action was brought on February 4, 1909, to recover the purchase price of the machine. The answer admits that the defendant still has the machine in its possession, and that it has not paid for the same, but alleges affirmatively that it was defective, and that defendant “promptly notified plaintiff of the defective and improper construction of the machine and its unfitness for the purpose for which it was designed, and of defendant’s refusal to accept the machine or to pay therefor.” The cause was tried to the district court of Custer county, with the aid of a jury, which returned a verdict, by direction of the court, in favor of the plaintiff. Judgment was entered accordingly. Defendant appeals from the judgment, and from an order denying a new trial. It is of little consequence whether we regard the defendant as having refused to accept the machine on account of alleged defects therein, or as having rejected the same for that reason. The result is the same. In either event, it was its duty under the contract to return it to the plaintiff f. o. b. Beloit; that is to say, with freight prepaid. This it expressly agreed to do. Its letters show that it received the machine without objection [396] as to any delays or miscarriage of shipment, set it up, used it, declared it to be. unfit for the work and defective, and then, instead of returning it to the plaintiff at Beloit, in accordance with the terms of the contract, it first demanded a refund of $86, freight paid from Beloit to Plains, and subsequently agreed to reship it, provided plaintiff would designate the place of destination and forward a check to pay the freight, and still retains it. In other words, the defendant refuses to either pay for the machine, or return it, as it agreed to do. Even if it be admitted that the machine was not in good order when it [1] arrived at Plains, and that it was defective, it was the duty of the defendant, under the express terms of its contract, to either pay for it, or reject it and return it to Beloit, freight prepaid. It has refused and neglected to do either. (See King V. Townsley, 64 Iowa, 75, 19 N. W. 859; Keynes v. Plano Mfg. Co., 36 Tex. Civ. App. 567, 82 S. W. 532; Heagney v. J. I. Case Threshing M. Co., 4 Neb. (Unof.) 745, 96 N. W. 175.) The appellant insists that respondent’s attitude, as disclosed by certain letters, copies of which are in the record, absolved it from returning the machine, for the reason that the letters show respondent would have refused to receive it, if returned to Beloit. The contention is that the law does not require an idle act. Numerpus cases are cited to support the contention. The record shows, however, that as early as February 12 defendant notified the plaintiff that, if the machine did not operate satisfactorily, it would “throw it out and use the old machine.” On March 24 it caused to be written: “We will take the machine out of the mill and await your further orders.” And on April 10: “We will remove the machine and it will be at your disposition. We will hold same for advance charges of freight, some $86.00.” And on May '5: “We ask you to pay the advance freight charges that we have been to with your machine. We will keep the machine covered up until you can order us where to ship it to.” And finally on May 9: “ The machine is at your disposal if you will send us a check to cover the freight, $85.” In the light of these letters, we do not see how it can be contended that the [397] plaintiff is estopped to claim that the defendant should have carried ont its contract by returning the machine to Beloit f. o. b., or that plaintiff waived that provision of the contract. The defendant assumed the attitude very early in the correspondence of refusing to return the machine, unless plaintiff advanced certain moneys; and the latter was therefore justified in demanding payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the contract, as it did. But it is idle to further discuss this point. The plaintiff, in a letter written on May 7, quoted to the defendant that portion of the contract relating to its duty in case of rejection of the property or failure to pay therefor, and then continued: “Tour rejection of the machine carries with it the obligation to deliver it to us in good order, free of all freight and all other charges. We suggest that you consider fully your responsibility under this instrument. ’ ’ The reply to this was the letter, heretofore quoted, in which the defendant stated: “The machine is'at your disposal if you will send us a check to cover the freight, $85.” The correspondence is searched in vain for an unconditional offer by defendant to return the machine; and plaintiff never assumed the attitude of refusing to receive it. Under these circumstances, we are of opinion that it had the right to insist upon the strict letter of its contract. The judgment and order are affirmed. Affirmed. Mr. Chief Justice Brantly and Mr. Justice Holloway concur.