Early-Foster Co. v. M. M. Graves Co.
Early-Foster Co. v. M. M. Graves Co.
Opinion of the Court
On September 12 and 14, 1914-, appellee and appellant entered into two separate contracts, whereby the latter under the-first contract agreed to purchase and the former to sell five carloads of bagging and ties, consisting of 1,500 patterns each-, at 70 cents per pattern; and by the latter two-carloads, consisting of 1,500 patterns each, *215 at 71 cents per pattern, each of said contracts containing provisions to tlie following effect: That the seller did not guarantee price against decline in market; and that such contracts were not subject to cancellation. They each likewise provide:
“That in event any claim shall .arise hereunder, due to failure on the part of purchaser to accept the goods as herein agreed, and claim for the same be placed in the hands of attorneys for collection and enforcement of contract, that the buyer shall pay the sum of 10 per cent, on contract value of goods as attorney’s fees. The bagving and ties covered by these contracts to be shipped by November 30, 1914.”
Also another provision to the effect:
“That in case the buyer neglects to order out all the goods due under this contract before the last-mentioned date, and in event of default on this contract, it shall be unnecessary to tender goods at point of delivery; but seller’s offer to deliver goods f. o. b. shall be a sufficient tender, and the purchase price shall be then payable, as though goods had been received and accepted by purchaser.”
It appears that during the life of these contracts that the manufacturers reduced their price on bagging and ties 16½ cents pér pattern. Appellant ordered out two carloads under the first contract, which were shipped and paid for by it at the contract price, but insisted as to the balance that it was entitled to a reduction on its purchase in accordance with the manufacturers’ price; and in line with this contention, on the 25th of November, 1914, wired Graves Company as follows:
“Ship car fifteen hundred patterns two ^ound American Ashdown, Arkansas, two cars fifteen hundred patterns each Texas Durant, Oklahoma, deducting Texas common point freight rate. Car fifteen hundred patterns Texas Quanah, Texas, and car fifteen hundred Texas Cisco, billing all at manufacturer’s price, adding the same profit you had in the sale when contract was made. Also deduct difference in manufacturer’s price on the three cars shipped since your price was reduced. .Send drafts Central Texas Exchange National Bank, 'Waco.”
Graves Company replied, in substance, that they were willing to ship the goods, but only at contract prices, and offered to do so; and in all other respects complied with their contract. Appellant not replying, the goods were not shipped, and this suit was brought by appellee in Harris county to recover damages for -breach of contract. Appellant also brought suit in the district court of McLen-nan county against appellee to recover $577.-50, being the difference between the contract price and the manufacturers’ price on two carloads, which had been paid for by it. The first suit was transferred to McLennan county, where the two cases were consolidated, and on trial appellant abandoned its cause of action against appellee, and judgment was rendered in accordance therewith, which case is not involved in this appeal.
The instant case, being tried before the court without a jury, resulted in judgment in behalf of appellee, from which appellant prosecutes this appeal, and strenuously urges that the case should be reversed on the ground that it did not breach its contract with appellee. ‘
Finding no error in the judgment of the court, the same is in all respects affirmed.
Affirmed.
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Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.