Electric Surely Co. v. Purslow
Electric Surely Co. v. Purslow
Opinion of the Court
Mary Purslow, now deceased, was the owner of some property in the city of Sioux City upon which she desired to erect a hotel, and in the year 1905 she entered
They contend that Keefe was bound under his contract to furnish all the fixtures, that neither they nor their ancestor knew that Keefe or Donohue was ordering more fixtures than the specifications called for, that neither Keefe nor Donohue had any authority to order any fixtures costing more than the estimated $500 named in the specifications, and that whatever else was done in this regard was not binding upon them. These contentions are based upon two propositions, which are strongly insisted upon: Eirst, that Keefe under his contract was to furnish all the fixtures for the hotel, and to complete the same in full according to the plans and specifications; and, second, that defendants made no contract with plaintiff to supply any fixtures whatever. Going back to the written contract, it will be discovered that, while Keefe was to furnish all the labor and material for the construction of the building according to the plans and specifications, the electric light fixtures were specifically mentioned and Keefe was not bound to put in more than $500 worth thereof. It does not clearly appear just what sort of electric fixtures were set forth in the specifications; but it is manifest that Keefe’s obligation with reference thereto was estimated at $500, and that beyond that amount he was not required to go. When the matter came up it was discovered that the hotel could not be equipped with proper electric fixtures for $500. Donohue, the tenant, was informed of this, and, when plaintiff’s bid was accepted, the conversations between -plaintiff, Donohue, Keefe, and the agent of the owner, to -which we have referred, occurred. There is no doubt that the fixtures put in the building could not be supplied for $500, and it is admitted that Keefe has paid the $500 which was included in his contract. There is also no doubt that Keefe cannot be held liable for the additional cost of the
It is perfectly manifest that Keefe was not to put in fixtures costing more than $500, and that the exact kind and character of the fixtures was to be determined after the work had progressed to the point where it was necessary to decide the matter. The contract did not require Keefe to put in any certain fixtures, nor was he bound to put in any which cost more than $500. Indeed, it appears that the matter of the character and kind of electric fixtures which were to be put in was to be left to future negotiations. The written contract contains -no other limitations, and it is clear that Keefe is not liable beyond the $500' which he has paid. The testimony shows that, when the tenant learned the fixtures could not be put in for the $500, he consulted with the owner’s agent, advised him of the situation, and that the agent said: “We will have to have them anyway. Go ahead and get them.” Moreover, the evidence makes it appear that Donohue acted as agent for the owner of the building during its entire construction, gave directions and orders with reference thereto, and was treated as agent of the owner for the construction of the hotel. This agent, Donohue, went over the list of fixtures, approved it, and said the owner would pay all over $500 of the cost. Another confessed agent of the owner said that Donohue’s selection was all right, thus confirming the tenant’s authority to make choice of the fixtures for the hotel. We are satisfied that the owner of the building and her immediate agent authorized the tenant to make the selection of the fixtures, fully understanding that if they amounted to more than the $500 the owner was to be responsible for the overplus. This finding settles the case in the plaintiff’s favor, for the law is not seriously in dispute.
The decree seems to be correct, and it is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Electric Surely Company v. R. E. Purslow and Mary Jane Miller, Frank Donohue and J. J. Keefe
- Status
- Published