O'brien v. Colchester Rubber Co.
O'brien v. Colchester Rubber Co.
Opinion of the Court
In this case, with less than $200 actually in dispute, we are met with a paper book of over 200 pages, nearly all thereof being devoted to a report of the trial.* The real contention was and is over the facts, and until confused and complicated by a great mass of testimony produced, and by numberless objections and exceptions by .counsel as this testimony was presented, these facts seem to have been- very simple.
Prior to January 1, 1893, plaintiff had been selling rubber goods for defendant, the manufacturer, on a commission of 5 per cent. After some correspondence, the latter wrote November 11, 1892, that “if we do not change our mind about it, on account of the dull state of affairs,” it would engage the former for a three months’ trip, and would allow his actual traveling expenses, a nominal salary of $10 per week, and a commission of 2 per cent, on net sales made in excess of $15,000. It was said in this letter that the plaintiff could easily sell $25,000 worth of goods, and in an earlier letter he was informed that orders taken by him should be duly signed and be from parties in good rating. The plaintiff wrote immediately, accepting the proposition. In December he was advised by mail that defendant wanted him to start' as early as January 9 on the proposed trip, and that its president would soon see him personally with full particulars, samples, and funds. December 27, at St. Paul, the president met plaintiff and four other men who also wished to sell defendant’s goods, and each was engaged, to commence work January 9. The plaintiff was also authorized to sell during the intervening time on the old terms, — 5 per cent, commission. Thus far there is no dispute over the facts.
The plaintiff claims, however, that when these five men were finally employed it was agreed by defendant’s president that if they would make a special and unusual effort to sell goods during the trip each should receive one-fifth of 1 per cent, on his gross sales as additional compensation. He contends that he did make special and
The defendant’s counsel argues chat, as plaintiff had theretofore ■stipulated to work exclusively for defendant on the terms proposed in the letter, there was no consideration for the promise of extra compensation. It is plain that no binding contract was entered into until defendant’s president met plaintiff in St. Paul', and this promise of additional compensation was a part of the contract as finally •consummated. Even if this was not the fact, no valid reason can be advanced-for holding that defendant would not be bound by its agreement to pay additional compensation for extra service and increased activity on the part of its salesmen. Therefore the plaintiff was entitled to recover the additional percentage on all orders taken, sent in, and accepted after January 9. As to these there was no dispute as to what were taken and sent in by him. It was admitted by defendant that the greater part of these were accepted, and that plaintiff had earned his percentage. And it was admitted by plainiiff that several of the balance were properly rejected by defendant, of which rejection he was notified, and that as to these he had no claim upon the latter.
The contention was over a number of orders, the acceptance of which was denied by defendant. The defendant’s office was in the •state of Connecticut, and it did not produce its books of account upon the trial; although such production was twice demanded by plain
Order affirmed.
Buck, J., took no part.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MICHAEL J. O'BRIEN v. COLCHESTER RUBBER COMPANY
- Status
- Published