558
FEDERAL REPORTER,
vol. 55.
to order the defendants, within a time named, to make such con· !f they fail to do so, and are beyond the jurisdiction of the court, .80 that personal enforcement of the order will be impossible, the decree may provide that, on a failure on their part to comply with the order of the court, the decree, in and by itself, may divest the defendants of all title in said property, and vest the same in the complainant. The equities of the case, so far as the allegations of the bill are concerned, are all with the complainant. It presents aca.se where the court ought to retain jurisdiction, if it can rightfully do so, because the relief sought is just and equitable, in the highest degree. I am therefore of the opinion that this court has jurisdiction over the property involved in this controversy, and over the defendants, so far as they have any claim or title to said property; that this proceeding is substantially a proceeding in rem; and that the general powers conferred upon this court, as a court of equity, under the constitution and laws of the United States, are so enlarged, and made more effective, by the statutes of the state of Ohio, as that, upon final hearing, if the complainant shall establish his right to relief, full and adequate protection can be given him to enforce the specific execution of the contract set out in his bill.
WOOLWORTH v McPHERSON.
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York. May 6, 1893.) 1.
'V. & M. executed the following agreement: "St. Joseph, Missouri, February 1st, 1881. The undersigned have this day formed a partnership for the transaction of a general book and stationery business, * * * M. . to be guitrantied $2,000 per annum, same to be and to come out of his half of the profits; but, should the one-half profits not amount to $2,000 in the year, ·he shall not be held for any deficiency in the salary account. In consideration of the guaranty of $2,000 per annum toM., he shall give his entire time, during reasonable business honrs, to the business of the firm,' and W. shall not be held to give the same any more time than he may chance. * * * This agreement to run one year from this date." Helri, that it was a copartnership agreement, and that the supposition of M. that the contract guarantied him a salary of $2,000 a year,and half the profits above that sum, but that he should not be liable as partner for any losses in business, was a mistake of law, for which .he was not entitled to relief. Ina suit by W. against M. growing out of a fol'mer partnership be-tween them, an order of dismissal' was entered, pursuant :to the following writing addressed to plaintiff's solicitor: "Yon will please enter an order in this cause discontinuing the same upon the paymeut by the defendant of tlle costs therein. Yours; etc., W. Agreed to.. Mt Held that. as this writing was informal, and contained nopr6mise by' either party to the other, and defendant's signature was presumably merely for the protection . of the clerk, the writing did Dot constitute such a contract or memorandum thereof that defenda.nt. would. be preventc'd in a subsequent suit from showlug by other evidence that the order was entered pursuant to an agreement releasing him from all liability in consideration of the payment of the costs and certain services which he was to render to plaintiff.
PARTNERSIJIP-CONSTHUCTION OF AR!'ICLES.
2. PAROL EVIDENCE-CONTRACT.
WOOLWORTH V. M'PHERSON.
559
·In Equity. Bill by Galvin C. Woolworth against Thomas B. McPherson for the dissolution of a partnership and for an accounting. Dismissed. for plaintiff. Smith, Bowman & Hyland & Zabriskie, for defendant. TOWNSEND, District Judge. This is a bill in equity for the dissolution of an alleged copartnership between the complainant and defendant, and for an accounting. On February 1, 1881, the parties executed the following agreement: "St. Joseph, Mo. Feb'y. 1st, 1881. "The undersigned have this day formed a partnership for the transaction of the general book and stationery business, as successors to \Voolworth & Colt, assuming the obligations and assets of Messrs. Woolworth & Colt, as shown by the inventory this date. B. I!'. Colt to have a salary of $2,000. Two thousand dollars per annum to be charged to expenses. T. B. McPherson to be guarantied one hundred sixty·six and 67/100 dollars per month, ($2,000 per annum,) same to be and to come out of his half of the profits; but, should the one-half profits not amount to two thousand dollars in the year, he shall not be held for any deficiency in the salary account. In consideration of the guaranty of $2,000 per annum to McPherson, he shall give his entire time, during reasonable business hours, to the business of the firm, and C. C. Woolworth Shall not be held to give the same any more time than he may chance. Banl( debt, as it now stands, substantially about $14,000, shall bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum, payable monthly, and shall not be illcreased except by mutual consent, but may at any time be reduced, as the resources of the concern shall permit. Interest on C. C. \Voolworth's surplus, as shown by the books, to be credited his account at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum. This agreement to run one year from this date. "[Signed] C. C. Woolworth, T. B. McPherson."
The defendant alleges in his answer: First. That the above agreement was not a copartnership agreement. Second. That in Ju]y, 1882, it was orally agreed by the parties that the written agreement should be so construed as to give to defendant, in any event, an assured salary of $2,000 a year, and one half of the net profits, if any, in excess of said sum, and that defendant should not be liable for any losses in said business. Defendant further alleged that under this oral agreement he continued to conduct the business up to January 1, 1883. Third. That on or about March 20, the plaintiff brought a bill against the defendant in the district court of the state of Nebraska for the same causes of action alleged in the present suit; that defendant appeared therein, and filed his answer, and afterwards, in consideration of his payment of the costs of said suit, and the rendition of services whereby defendant effec:ed a settlement of the business affairs of the plaintiff, the plaintiff released the defendant from all claims and causes of action against him, and dismissed said suit. The first defense cannot be sustained. The defendant does not demand, by way of affirmative relief, that the contract be reformed. He does not claim that it was procured by fraud, or that there was any mistake of fact on his part. He claims that he supposed the contraet guarantied to him a salary of $2,000 a year, and half the profits above that sum, but that he should not be liable, as partner, for any losses in the business. If he was mistaken in his under-
560
standing of the effect of the contract, it was a mistake of law, for which, under the circumstances, he is not entitled to relief. Hunt v. Rousmaniere's Adm'rs, 1 Pet. 1. There is some evidence in support of the second defense, that an oral agreement was afterwards made by the parties in accordance with the defendant's understanding as to the effect of the written agreement. The defendant testifies that during his management of the business he rendered full statements thereof to the complainant every six months, in which the losses were charged to the complainant's surplus account. In July, 1882, he went to Chicago to meet the complainant and a prospective purchaser of the business, taking with him a full statement of the business. Defendant testifies that complainant then objected to the charge of losses to his private account, and said he proposed to hold defendant for his share, but that he (the defendant) referred to his understanding of the contract, and refused to return to St. Joseph unless this question should then be finally settled. He says that complainant then told him if he would return to St. Joseph, and stay until the first of the year, there would be no further claim on him for losses, and that in accordance with that agreement he went to St. Joseph, and remained there until February 12, 1883. But as the complainant denies the maldng of any such oral agreement, or his acquiescence in the claims made by defendant in his statements, I think the evidence is insufficient to sustain this defense. The third defense presents the vital question in the case. On February 26, 1884, the Nebraska suit been removed into the United States' circuit court, the following order was entered therein: "Calvin C. 'Voolworth vs. T. Buchanan McPherson et al. "To J. M. 'Voolworth, Esq., Solieitor for Plaintiff.-Sir: You will please enter an order in this cause, discontinuing the same upon the payllll'nt, uy the defendant, of the costs therein. "Yours, etc., C. C. Woolworth. "Agreed to. '1'. B. McPherson."
Complainant claims that this paper constitutes a complete and entire contract between the parties, and that all prior negotiations between the parties are merged therein. He urges that, as this paper was intended by both parties to express the whole contract between them, it is not competent for the defendant, by oral testimony, to seek to prove further stipulations providing for his entire release trom all his liabilities to complainant. Where the parties have deliberately put their mntual engagements into writing, in such language as imports a complete contract, all parol testimony of further declarations will be rejected. Thompson v. Insurance Co., 104 U. S. 259. But it does not seem to me that the principle of law invoked by claimant has any application to the writing referred to. This paper appears to be a mere letter of instruction by claimant to his attorney, to discontinue the suit upon terms. The defendant is only a party to it in the sense that he assents to the terms of the discontinuance therein expressed. Presumably, this was done for the protection of the clerk of court in entering the order by consenJt. There· is' no suggestion that the· parties considered the paper as a
,WOOLWORTH
v.
M'PHERSON.
561
oontract. There is no promise by either party to the other. But, even if it were to be tre-d.ted as a memorandum of a contract, there is nothing to prevent either party from showing that the memorandum is not complete in itself, but that there were oth,r in .ependent stipulations entered into by them, not contradictory to the written memorandum. This is especially true where the writing is infur;nal and incomplete upon its face. In such a case there is no presumption that it contains all the terms of the contract. Jones, Com. & Tr. Cont. §§ 129, 134, and cases cited. But complainant contends, irrespeotive of the claim that oral evidence is inadmissible to vary the letter of discontinuance, that in fact it served to fully carry out the only agl'eement between the parties. He says that when the defendant left the pJrtnersh p business at St. Joseph, and went to Omaha, he took $2,000 from the firm treasury to which he was not entitled, and that the primary object of the :Nebraska suit was to recover that specific ;$2,000; but that the defendant, having afterwards convinced him that he had lost the $2,000 in grain speculations, and that to press the suit would be financially disastrous to the defendant, he (the complainant) agreed, if the defendant would retmn to St, Joseph and help to close up the business, thocn he would "dismiss this case, and wind it up." 'rhe defendant claims that, in conr>ideration of the serviees to be rendered by him at St. Joseph, the complainant not only agreed to dismiss the suit, but to discharge him from aU further liability under said agreement of February, 1881. It is extremely difficult to say just what contract the parties did make, because of the peculiar way in which they dealt with each other. The complainant, while then professing the greatest friendr>hip for the defendant, and confessedly needing his help to close up the busimss, seems now to feel that he could not have meant to surrender his claim. 'fhe defendant was so anxious to get rid of the :Nebraska suit that he seems to have been willing to accept the discontinuance order as sufficient evidence of a release of all liabilities. In view of the contradictory conduct and eonfticting testimony of the parties, I have been obliged to carefully examine the relations of the parties, and the objects they respectively had in view, in order to determine what contract they intended to make, and d'd make, and how they understood its terms, The agTeemcnt of February, 1881, was inartificially drawn. It purports to be a copartnership, but it contains the following stipulation: "'r. B. McPherson to be guarantied one hundred sixty-six and 67/100 dollars per month, ($2,000 per annum,) same to be and to come out of his half of the profits; but, should the one-half profits not amount to two thousand dollars in the year, he shall not be held for any defici('ncy in the salary account. In consideration ()f the guaranty of two thousand dollars per annum to McPherson, he shall give his entire time, during- reasonable business hours, to the of the firm, and O. O. Woolworth shall not be held to give the same any more time than he shall chance," etc.
This statement is, to say the least, ambiguous. Evidently the parties disagreed as to its effect in case there were losses. It is claimed that the complainant misrepresented its leg'al effect at the time of the making of the agreement. It is admitted that it was v ..55F.no.5-36
-562
FEDERALREPORTl!JR,
afterwards the. ilubject of dispute between :the parties. The claims of the defendant were fully stated by: him in his ans·wer in the Ne· braska suit, in which he denied any liability to complainant. The the Nebraska suit was made in New ,agreement' to York, in the summer of 1883. Defendant thereupon returned to Omaha, and called upon Judge WOOlwOTth, counsel 'for complainant, and reql.lested him to carry out the agreement. .tudge Woolworth told defendant that claimant had concluded not to dismiss the suit until after defendant had succeeded in settling a certain claim ,against complainant, held by certain outside parties. Thereupon the following correspondence passed between the parties: "Omaha, 29th August, 1883. "Dear M:r. Woolworth: Have just seen the judge, and he advises me you had conclUded, when he left you, to presel've the statu quo in your suit against me until settlemEnt of the P. A. & Co, account. I did not so understand it when I left you, and am sorry for this decision. 'rhe delay may be very seri,011S to me, and it can do Y(JU no possible good. I go to St. Joe Friday or Saturr'lay. and will do what 1 can to help you there. "Truly, T. B. McPherson." "N. Y., September 11th, 1883. "D"ar Mac: Yours Aug. 29 came during my absence from home. Ask J'. M. W., and I tWnk he can make such explanation'to the elevator people as will enable you to carry out your plans with them in mutual safety. I don't want or intend to disturb you, nor to push for a dollar not to be got, and in a little while suppose the suit will be discontinued, according to direction of J. M.W." "Omaha. 15th September. 1883. "Dear Mr. Woolworth: To yours 11th, etc. * * * I note carefully what ,you say of the settlement of the suit now pending between us. It is entirely useless for me to attempt to do anything with the elevator company upon anyone's say so. I have tried that. NotWng short of a withdrawal of the suit and a release from further liabilities lillder it will serve me. This you have promised, and the judge promises, but says it can or will be done after I have been to St. Joe, and aided you in the settlement of the diflh:ulties you are there meeting. There's therefore notWng between us; but a little time is of no possible value to you, but is most important to me. There's but one possible advantage to you in holding back this settlement,-the fear which your brother appears to harbor, that I may go back on my promise to aid you should this suit be settled before the work is done. 'This thought, to me, 1s contemptible, and, in spite of all the past, seems to me to be beneath and unworthy of you. I repeat here that I am ready and willing to do all I can to assist you, and I know I can do so; but I ask you to. show a like disposition. Will you not do it? I await your reply, and will not go to St. Joe until I get it. "Yours very truly, T. B. McPherson." "N. Y., Sept. 21st, 1883. "Dear Mac: Yours of the 15th rec'd. If you go to St. Joe, confer and act with Colt, and, Whatever you and he conclude, I shall be satisfied with. Can the Xmas cards be lumped to Phelps & B. or Levin, Atchinson? Your views about the inevitable further shrinkage in the remaining resources of W. & McP. are probably correct. There are outstanding notes yet to be paid, (about $1,560,) and the overdraft with W. & G. cash is about $3,300; and so long as my money holds out you see I must keep paying, lind in the very best event there will be a heavy 1088,-1 should now gueRS 15 to. $20,OOO,-in this liquidation, as compared with the supposed 'surplus of Jany., 1883. Of course, I want all the·!b.elp I can possibly get in closing npthese VV. & McP. matters. and it is your duty and interest to make your full contribution ,to the extent Of your ability; 19 get the most favorable possible .conversion of those re"
WOOLWORTH
563
mainders. You can prove your loyalty by your works, and in due time the controversy can be adjusted. Or, if it will suit your purpose and preference, I should think we may properly take your note, and then we could dismiss the suit at once; otherwise, we ought to let it rest for a while longer, and, when ,mtisfied is straight, we can settle up. This appears to me to be reasonable in view of events since Jany. 1st. The fact is, Mac, this has been a barl busines.'l for me, and you cannot complain, but, on the oontrary, congmtulate yourself if, after a while, this claim is withdrawn. Think it over, and see if you would act any quicker if situations were reversed. I hope to hear of your best and prompt efforts at St. Joe. "Yours truly, C. C. 'V."
The correspondence subsequent to this date, and the uncontradicted evidence of the defendant, show that, acting under instructions from complainant, he went to St. Joseph on several occasions, and devoted his time to the settlement of the old business, and of the contracts made by complainant after dissolution. He secured the release of certain large claims against the complainant, collected accounts amounting to about $10,000, and remitted the proceeds to complainant, .and generally performed valuable services on his behalf under the agreement. All the expenses of the trips to St. Joseph were paid by the defendant. On January 16, 1884, the final statement was sent to complainant, and on February 25, 188,1, the parties met at Omaha, and complainant gave defendant the order of discontinuance. This evidence convinces me that, when complainant promised to dismiss the suit provided defendant would return to St. Joseph, he led him to believe that he would release him from all further obligations under said original agreement. Otherwise, why did he not agree to 'continue the case for a definite period? Why did he insist upon holding the suit over defendant until he should settle up the matters at St. Joseph to the satisfaction of complainant? There was nothing to be lost to complainant in the dismissal of this suit, provided the cause of action remained, for the $2,000 had been drawn out of the bank before the commencement of the suit. There was nothing to be gained by defendant from a mere discontinuance of this suit, provided complainant reserved the right to institute a new one at his pleasure. vVhen defendant said: "Nothing short of a withdrawal of the suit, and a release from further liabilities under it, will serve me. This you have promised. * * * There's therefore nothing between us," etc.,-complainant did not deny either the promise or the statement that there was nothing between them, but urges defendant that "it is your duty and interest to make your full contribution to the extent of your ability, to get the most favorable possible conversion of those remainders." It is not suggested that it is his duty to make any contribution of money; and when complainant further proposes, either to now take defendant's note, and "dismiss the suit at once," or "to let it rest for a while longer, and, when satisfied everything is straight, we can settle up," it seems to me the conclusion is irresistible that he meant to have defendant understand that a disIl1issal of the suit, whethcr upon the consideration of a note or of services thereafter rendered, meant a release of the whole claim. This conclusion is emphasized by the
564
l!'EDERAJ· RE'pORTEH,
suggestion, later in this letter, that defendant should congratulate himself if, after a while, this claim is withdrawn. The.claim that complainant at most only intended to release the $2,600 which he supposed defendant had deposited in the Omaha bank is disproved by the fact already referred to, that the money had been withdrawn before suit, and by the pleadings in the Nebraska suit, which show a claim for dissolution of the alleged partnership and an accounting. It is further effectually disposed of by the testimony of the complainant himself. He testifies that when he discontinued the suit he intended to call it quits with the defendant so far as that suit was concerned, and all that was contained and embodied therein, so far as he remembered what was in the complaint sworn to by him. I have not overlooked the conduct of the parties after the commencement of the present suit, as bearing upon the construction and interpretation of the contract under which the Nebraska suit was dismissed. The evidence is so unsatisfactory that it throws little light upon the question. The parties had two interviews in New York. Neither of them testifies what the conversations were. It appears from subsequent correspond. ence that complainant gave defendant friendly assurances, which he interpreted as a promise to dismiss the suit. I think the admissions contained in complainant's letters show that defendant was justified in assuming that the suit would not be pressed. But there had been some discussion at these interviews as to the effect of the original agreement, and, after complainant had found them, he wrote defendant that they "seem more than ever to hold you for losses as well as for profits." He then adds that he did not promise to dismiss the suit, but did say that he would not take such action as would break defendant up. Defendant, it is true, admits that at the New York interviews he did not claim that there had been an adjustment of this claim, but he explains this by saying that he th,en had another agreement with complainant, "in which he agreed to dismiss this particular suit." And, finally, when defendant again writes to complainant, again asserting that such promise was made, and reproaching complainant for having broken faith with him, complainant writes the following letter in reply: "Albany, .Tune 29th, 1889. "Dear Mac: Yours 22nd, via N. Y., reached me here today. Dismiss your apprehensions of suit. I told you in N. Y. I wouldn't do that, and I won't. I write now, late at night, in great haste, to relieve your an.xiety, and will write more later."
Here is no denial of the promise, as alleged by defendant; and the only explanation of this letter vouchsafed by complainant is the following answer on cross-examination: "'VeIl, if I bring a suit, and pursue him for $2,000 or $3,000 more than he is worth, it WOUld. break him up. If I bring snit, and he pays me what he can afford to pay me, it don't break himnp. That is .what I mean."
In view of the facts as stated above, I think the suit should be dismiSsed. Let judgment be entered accordingly.
BRRKILL
v..
ETC., OF CITY OF NEW YORK.
565
BRICKILI. et aI. v. MAYOR. E'I'C., OF CITY OF NEvV YORK.
(Circuit Court, S. D. Xew York. April 4, 1893.)
1.
EQUITy-MASTEU'S FEES-PHAc1'rcE..
A master's fee on adjoumment of a hearing should be paid by the party asking the adjournment, and it is the better practice to pay such fee when the adjournment is had. On a hearing before a master, each party should pay, in the first instance, the costs, charges, expenses, stenographer's fees, and master's fees for taking its own direct, redirect, eross, or recross examination of any witness or witnesses; but on final decree the sum so paid by the prevailing party may be imposed on the defeated party.
2.
SA}lE.
In Equity. Suit by William Brickill and others against the mayor, etc., of the city of York. On a question as to pUjIUent of maRter's fees and other costs. Raphael J. Moses, Jr., for complainants. Betts, Alterbury, Hyde & Betts, for defendant. Circuit Judge. In this case the master's fees are fixed at $20 for an entire day's session, (both morning and aftern"on;) $10 for a half session; and $5 for each adjoUl'nmput. As tll this latter item, it is a desirable practice, always, to pay that fee when the adjournment is had, and it should be paid by the' party asking for the adjoul'llment. ""Vhen the master's bill is aujnsted on thit, basis, each side should pay, in the first instance, for its -.)\vn adjournments, and for the costs, charges, expenses, (including stenographer's fees,) and master's fees for taking its own direct, redirect, cross, or recross examination of any witness or witnesses. Upon filla! decree the sums so paid by the prevailing part)' may be imposed upon the defeated party. An order to such effect will be made.
BRICKILL et aI. v. :MAYOn, ETC., OF CITY OF ::\'K\V YORK.
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York. 1.
April 17, 1893.)
EQ1:rTY-HEAltING BEFORE MASTER-EXPENSE OF TAKING Tr,;sTBlO:SY.
At a hearing before a ma",t.er tlw party who calls a witness must pay the expense of taking the dired and redirect examinatioll of such witness, but his adversary must pay the expense of taking the cross and recross examination. '''here a se",sion is t.'1ken up e1ltirely with taking testimony, the expense of taking which is to be tome by one party, the master's fees for that session must be paid by such party. \Vhere a session is taken up with taking testimony, for a part of which one party is to pay, and for the remainder of which the other party is to pay,the master's fee for the session is properly chargeable, in equal shares, to both parties, irrespective of the proportionate amount of time consumed by them. Sessions consumed in whole or in part by argument may be settled for in the same way.
SAME-}lASTER'S FEES.
3.
SAME.