92 Mich. 354 | Mich. | 1892
This is a proceeding by petition to have a claim allowed as a preferred claim against the estate of the J. E. Potts Salt & Lumber Company.
The petitioners are copartners, and engaged in the business of inspecting lumber at Oscoda. The testimony shows that the business of inspecting lumber is conducted by petitioners with the aid of assistants, and consists in making measurements of logs or lumber, and ascertaining and determining their quality. The value of the services rendered does not depend upon the ability to
As was pointed out In re Clark, ante, 351, this statute was primarily enacted in the interests of wage-earners; and, as was there said, the statute is broad enough to cover all debts actually cwing for manual labor, and this though the labor may be performed by those who are skilled in their particular calling. In Blade’s Appeal, 83 Mich. 513, it was held that one who renders such services as are usually required cf a head miller is entitled to the protection of the statute. So we would he prepared to hold in any case that any person whose business it is to work for wages regularly is entitled to the protection of the statute, none the less because he is required to exercise skill in his calling. -Yet, in view of the possible results of a more liberal construction of the term “labor" as employed in the statute, as pointed out In re Olarlc, supra, we think the term should not be construed in its broadest sense.
In a sense, every one who performs professional serv
The order appealed from will be reversed, with costs,, and the petition dismissed.