Fleming v. Gerlinger Motor Car Co.
Fleming v. Gerlinger Motor Car Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion
“From the expiration of the time allowed to except to the sureties in the undertaking, or from the justifica
“Upon the appeal being perfected, the appellant shall, within thirty days thereafter, file with the clerk of the appellate court a transcript,” etc.: Section 554.
It appears from an affidavit filed herein that by agreement with defendant’s counsel the plaintiff deposited with the clerk of the trial court the sum of $100 as costs and disbursements in case the judgment was affirmed on appeal, whereupon the exceptions so interposed were waived. This procedure was equivalent to a justification by the sureties, and the order of the trial court extending the time to file the transcript, was made within 30 days from the time the exceptions were overruled, and while that court had jurisdiction of the cause.
The motion to dismiss the appeal is therefore denied.
Motion Denied.
Opinion on the Merits
Affirmed November 6, 1917.-
On the Merits.
(168 Pae. 289.)
Department 1.
Statement by
This is a suit for the rescission of a contract for the sale of an auto bus based upon fraudulent misrepresentations made at the inception of the agreement. The allegations of the complaint are substantially these: About February 23, 1915, plaintiff and defendant Ger-linger Motor Car Company were negotiating for the purchase, by plaintiff, of a Federal auto bus at which time the Car Company through its officers and agents wrongfully and fraudulently represented to plaintiff, (1) that the machine was especially equipped and
“Exhibit £AP
“Gerlinger Motor Car Company.
“Portland, Oregon, Feb. 23,1915.
‘ ‘ Order.
“This confirms sale made this date by the Gerlinger Motor Car Company, of Portland, Oregon, to J. C. Fleming, address, 925 Twelfth St., City, of Federal Truck with jitney body, car No. 2314, motor No. 13168. To be delivered. Price F. O. B. Portland with catalogue equipment......•....................$2595.00
“Extras: headlights in lieu of side lights, at cost.
“Remarks: Body to be like photos of Richmond job (24) passenger; colors to be selected later. $5.00 per day, payable weekly, 8 per cent interest. Total, $2595.00.
“Receipt is hereby acknowledged, as deposited on
this order of...............................$900.00
“Balance due on delivery of car..........$1695.00
‘ ‘ Terms Cash.
*199 “Important. — It is understood by the parties hereto that there are no understandings or agreement, verbal or otherwise, other than those printed or written hereon.
“(Signed) J. C. Fleming.
“Accepted: Gerlinger Motor Car Company,
“Portland, Oregon.
“(Signed) E. E. Gerlinger, Mgr.
“Salesman-.”
“Exhibit ‘B.’
“Portland, Oregon, March 9th, 1915.
“$1695.00
“For value received, I promise to pay to Gerlinger Motor Car Company or order, Sixteen Hundred Ninety-five and 00/100 Dollars, in Gold Coin of the United States of America, with interest thereon in like Gold Coin at the rate of 8 per cent per annum from date until paid, payable in twelve installments of not less than $150.00 in any one payment, together with the full amount of interest due on this note at time of payment of each installment. The first payment to be made on the 10th day of April, 1915, and a like payment on the tenth day of each month and thereafter, until the whole sum, principal and interest, has been paid; and if any of said installments are not so paid, the whole sum of both principal and interest to become immediately due and collectible at the option of the holder hereof. And in case suit or action, is instituted to collect this note, or any portion thereof, I promise to pay such additional sum as the court may adjudge reasonable as attorney’s fees in said suit or action.
“This contract is given upon and for the sole consideration that Gerlinger Motor Car Company, hereinafter referred to as the second party, has agreed that upon the payment of the sum above mentioned, as above set forth, time being of the essence hereof, the second party will sell, transfer and deliver unto the undersigned, the following described personal property, to wit:
*200 “One (1) Federal Truck No. 2314, Motor No. 13168 with 24 passenger bus body, which said property has been entrusted to the care of the undersigned. It is expressly agreed that said property so entrusted is the property of the second party and shall remain so until the second party shall make the aforesaid sale and transfer, after all payments shall have been made, as above provided. The undersigned hereby agrees to keep said property in good repair and condition, and to take the best care of the same, keeping it insured in favor of the said second party, or its assigns, in a sum sufficient to cover its or their interest therein at all times. In case of default in the payment of any amount due, as above provided, or in ease the undersigned shall part with the possession of said personal property, the said second party or its assigns shall have the right at it or their option, to the immediate possession thereof, and to retain all sums previously paid, as the agreed and reasonable rental for the use of the said personal property by the undersigned, and this contract shall then terminate and end upon the retaking possession of the said personal property by the said second party, or its assigns. It is, however, understood that upon the failure of the undersigned to make said payments promptly, as hereinabove provided, the second party or its assigns shall have the option as to whether it or they shall receive back said personal property, and shall have the right and power to determine whether it or they shall insist upon the payment of the full sum, as hereinbefore provided, and to decline to receive back said personal property, in which the undersigned is to be liable for the full sum hereinabove agreed to be paid.
“(Signed) J. C. Fleming.
“No. 449. Due-.
‘ ‘ Gerlinger Motor Car Company,
“E. E. Gerlinger, Gen. Manager.
“For value received, I hereby guarantee the payment of the within note at maturity, or any time thereafter, with interest at 8 per cent per annum until paid, and hereby waive demand, protest and notice of non*201 payment and consent that the payment of this note may be extended from time to time without affecting my liability thereon, and I hereby sell, assign, transfer and set over unto Seymour H. Bell all my right, title and interest in and to the within contract and the property therein described.
“ (Signed) Gerlinger Motor Car Company,
“E. E. Gerlinger, Gen. Mgr.”
It is then asserted that these representations were false and fraudulent and known to the defendant to be so; that plaintiff was totally ignorant of all the details in regard to which these representations were made and so informed defendant; that he believed and relied upon snch statements, paid the Gerlinger Motor Car Company $900, and signed the two instruments herein set ont. It is then alleged that the machine is not especially equipped or bnilt for carrying passengers; but is especially built and equipped for carrying freight; that it will not seat more than 22 passengers; that a gallon of gasoline will not avail to run the car more than seven miles; that it will not make sufficient speed to drive it more than 12 or 15 miles an hour, and is not a competitor of the street-cars of Portland; that it is not adapted to carry passengers through the streets of Portland with comfort, because it jolts and jars them to such an extent that they will not ride in it. It is then alleged that plaintiff has faithfully tried to use the car successfully for carrying passengers through the streets of Portland, but for the reasons set out, has been unable to make it pay and has operated the car at a loss. Upon information and belief he avers that Exhibit “B” has been transferred to defendant Bell, who' is not a holder in due course and that the transfer was made for the purpose of defrauding plaintiff, Then, after reciting his ability as a
‘ ‘ That the said auto bus so contracted to him by the defendant Gerlinger Motor Car Company as herein-above mentioned is useless and of no value for the purpose for which it was sold to this plaintiff-, and hereby tenders it back at this time and offers its return to the defendant Gerlinger Motor Car Company, clear of all incumbrances so far as this plaintiff is concerned, excepting that the said Seymour H. Bell who claims to be the owner of Exhibit ‘ B ’ has brought an action upon the same against this plaintiff and attached the said auto bus. ’ ’
The prayer is for a judgment and decree canceling both of the written instruments, a recovery of the $900 paid by plaintiff, and special damages in the sum of $1,090 for time lost by plaintiff while operating the car.
The answer denies the allegations of misrepresentation and fraud and affirmatively pleads the contract of sale, and full performance on their part. Therein it is also alleged that the plaintiff himself contracted for the body which was built upon the car and, in person, directed its construction.
The reply denies the affirmative matter in,.the answer. A trial being had there was a decree for defendants, from which plaintiff appeals.
Affirmed.
For appellant there was a brief and an oral argument by Mr. Cicero M. Idleman.
For respondents there was a brief and an oral argument by Mr. Maurice W. Seitz.
delivered the opinion of the court.
The decree of the trial court is therefore affirmed.
Affirmed.
Reference
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- FLEMING v. GERLINGER MOTOR CAR CO.
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