178 N.W. 448 | S.D. | 1920
Action to recover .broker’s commission claimed to have been earned by plaintiff through finding a purchaser ready, able, and willing to purchase certain property which defendant 'had listed with it for sale. Verdict directed for defendant. From the judgment thereon and from an order denying a new trial this appeal is taken.
“Every contract made by or on behalf of any foreign corporation, subject to the provisions of this chapter, affecting the personal liability thereof or relating to property within this state, before it shall have complied with the provisions of this chapter, shall be -wholly void, on its behalf and on behalf of its assigns, but shall foe enforceable against it or them.”
One of the grounds upon which the motion for directed verdict was ¡based was plaintiff’s failure to comply with the provisions of sections 8902, 8903. Unless the record shows that plaintiff was doing business in this state or that the contract was one “relating to property,” it is clear that the provisions of the above sections do not affect plaintiff’s right of recovery. Plaintiff contends that the contract was entered into in another state, and that it did no business in this state. We deem the place of the contract to be immaterial. There was no “doing of business” in this state; but one transaction was proven, and it is established -that
“I reserve the right to withdrawn this stock and property from the market at any time I desire on ten days’ notice to you in writing.”
Plaintiff maintains that, under such provision, defendant could .not withdraw it before the expiration of the 10-day notice. Notice of withdrawal .was given, but the purchaser was pro-duced within 10 days after such choice was given. Therefore the only question presented by such motion was whether the defendant had a right to sell, and thereby terminate the contract without notice. It is defendant’s contention that this contract did not give plaintiff the exclusive right of sale. This contention is sound. “The right of an owner to sell his own property is an implied condition of every contract of agency, and, unless expressly negatived, will prevail.” Dole v. Sherwood, 41 Minn. 535, 43 N. W. 569, 5 L. R. A. 720, 16 Am. St. Rep. 731; Ingold v. Symonds, 125 Iowa, 82, 99 N. W. 713. jAind in case of such a sale by the owner, where, as in this case, the contract does not give the exclusive sale, the agent or broker cannot collect commissions where he is not instrumental in procuring the purchaser to whom the owner sold. Dole v. Sherwood, supra; Ingold v. Symonds, supra; 9 C. J. 575, citing numerous decisions in support therof; 4 R. C. L. 318.
The judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.