George F. Dittman Boot & Shoe Co. v. Meyer
George F. Dittman Boot & Shoe Co. v. Meyer
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The appellant, with a view of employing the appellee as their traveling salesman in southwest' Mississippi and northeast Louisiana, agreed to pay the expenses of his trip to St. Louis. Accordingly the appellee went to St. Louis, arriving there about the 1st of January. On January 4th the appellant and appellee entered into a contract in writing, by the terms of which the latter was employed as a traveling salesman for the appellant in the territory above referred to. The contract contained this provision: That the appellant “would advance the legitimate traveling expenses to the party of the- second part (appellee) while on the road selling the goods of the party of the first part (appellant).” The appellant reimbursed the appellee for the outlay of his trip, amounting to thirty-six dollars and thirty-two cents. After making this contract, and on the same day it was entered into, the appellee made application to the Wertheimer Swartz Shoe Company, another St. Louis concern, for a position as traveling salesman. He was refused employment until he should be released from his contract with the appellant. He thereupon returned to the office of the appellant and surrendered his contract, stating that he declined to carry it out. The appellant then demanded that he return the thirty-six' dollars and thirty-two cents, which he had been paid for-the expenses of his trip, which appellee accordingly repaid. Appellee then, on January 5th, made a contract with the Wertheimer Swartz Shoe Company as their traveling salesman. This contract he admits he breached. The appellee sued for the thirty-six dollars and thirty-two cents, the expense of his trip to St. Louis, which he claims was repaid under duress, and for the expenses of his return trip home, and also one month’s salary of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, based on the alleged violation by appellant of the contract in refusing to advance him money to travel on.
Reversed and remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- George F. Dittman Boot & Shoe Co v. David Meyer
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Contract. Breach. Demamd of performcMiee. Appellant with a view of employing appellee as a traveling salesman, agreed to pay the expenses of his trip to St. Louis; accordingly appellee went there and entered into a contract, in writing, with appellant, by the terms of which appellee was employed by appellant as a traveling salesman. The contract contained this provision; That the appellant “would advance the legitimate traveling expenses to party of second part (appellee) while on the road selling goods of the party of the first part” (appellant). The appellant reimbursed the appellee for the outlay of his trip. After making this contract, on the same day appellee made application to another house for a position as traveling salesman; he was refused employment until he should be released from his contract with appellant; he thereupon surrendered his contract with appellant saying he declined to carry it out, and on demand refunded the expenses of his trip to appellant. Appellee then contracted with the other house and breached that contract. The appellee then sued appellant for the expenses of his trip back home. Held that he cannot recover back his traveling expenses to the city, nor compel appellant to carry out an agreement made in contemplation of his becoming its employe.