Harlow v. Oregonian Publishing Co.

78 P. 737 | Or. | 1904

Mr. Justice Bean

delivered the opinion of the court.

1. Assuming, for the purposes of the opinion, that the plaintiffs have legally succeeded to the rights of South-worth under the original contract, and stand in his place and stead, entitled to all the rights and privileges given him by its terms, and that it embraces all the territory claimed by them, there are two reasons why this suit could not be maintained after the repudiation of the entire contract by the defendants, and the service on the plaintiffs of notice to that effect in June, 1902: first, the plaintiffs, if they are entitled to any relief at all, have a full and complete remedy at law ; and, second, the remedy by injunction or specific performance is not mutual. It could not he invoked by the defendants against the plaintiffs, as the contract is not, and never was, capable of being specifically enforced or enjoined at the suit of Pittock or the defendant publishing company. The contract between Pittock and Southworth created substantially the relation of employer and employé, and this relation continued as.to those who succeeded to South worth’s interest. By its terms Southworth (whom we shall hereafter assume includes parties who have legally succeeded to his rights), was to carry and deliver the paper to all paying subscribers within the designated territory, to endeavor to increase its circulation, to collect subscriptions therefor, and to pay weekly for all papers he took from the office, receiving as compensation for “ his labor” a certain proportion of the subscription price of the paper. This relationship was to continue until one party or the other considered a “separation necessary.” In that event, if the parties were unable to agree upon “a proper method of doing so,” each was to appoint one arbitrator, who, if they could not agree, should choose another, whose decision should be final. There may be room for controversy as to the intent and meaning of the arbitration clause, but it seems to us that it was intended, in case either party should desire to terminate the contract, to provide a simple and inexpensive method or means by which its value to the other could be determined, and the amount to be paid, if any, by the one desiring the separation, ascertained. The contract was undoubtedly thought to be advantageous to both parties at the time it was made. Southworth paid $350 for the sole right to carry and deliver the papers, and to receive as a compensation therefor a certain portion of the subscription price. This he supposed to be a valuable right, and one which would increase largely in value, according to his industry and diligence in extending the circulation of the paper, and the character of the services which he should render to its patrons. Pittock, on the other hand, was contracting for the future circulation of his paper, and the collection of subscriptions therefor in the given territory, and this he undoubtedly believed to be of value' to the paper. It was to protect these rights, and to prevent the termination of the contract by either without making compensation to the other, that the arbitration clause was inserted. This, it appears to us, is its true intent and meaning.

We cannot think, however, that the agreement contemplated that the personal relationship between the parties should necessarily continue, against the will of either, until the amount of compensation should be ascertained in the manner therein provided. Either party could terminate the contract when he considered it necessary, but, if the parties were unable to agree as to the amount of compensation to be paid by one to the other on account of such separation, they were to submit that matter to arbitration, but not the right to terminate the contract. The provision as to the duration of the contract, and the method to be employed in-separation, or for determining the value in case separation should be deemed necessary, did not prevent either party from dissolving the relation between them at anytime, subject to liability to the other for such damages as he may have sustained if it was not doné in the manner provided. The contract created such a relationship of trust and confidence between the parties that a court of equity will not compel a continuation thereof against the will of either, but will leave Ihe injured party to- his relief at law. The contract, by its terms, was subject to termination at any time ; the party desiring the termination, however, to pay its value to the other. If the termination or separation took place in the manner provided, the value or amount to be paid would be ascertained and determined by arbitrators. If not, the party guilty of the breach would be liable in an action at law for damages, the same as for the breach of any other contract.

2. It follows, therefore, that whether the action of the defendant corporation in repudiating the contract and notifying the plaintiffs that it would no longer be bound thereby be deemed a separation within its terms, or a breach thereof, the effect was to terminate the contract; and the only question between the parties remaining for adjustment is the amount, if any, to be paid by the defendants to the plaintiffs on account of such separation or breach. That question is not cognizable by a court of equity. An injunction to restrain the breach of a personal contract, or one relating to personal property, or a mandatory injunction to compel specific performance of such a contract, will not be granted when the recovery of damages at law would adequately redress the impending injury: Chicago & A. R. Co. v. New York, Lake Erie & W. R. Co. (C. C.) 24 Fed. 516; Richmond v. Dubuque & Sioux City R. Co. 33 Iowa, 423; Port Clinton R. Co. v. Cleveland & Toledo R. Co. 13 Ohio St. 545; 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (2 ed.), 17. Indeed, the basis of equitable interference in cases of specific performance is a want of an adequate remedy at law. Mr. Waterman says: “A court of equity will not grant relief where the complaining party will not be deprived of any legal right by withh'olding it, unless he can show clearly that- he is entitled to the relief sought. If the plaintiff has an adequate remedy at law, he must seek his redress there”: Waterman, Spec. Perf. § 9. The same rule is laid down b.y Judge Story, Mr. Fry, and Mr. Pomeroy: 1 Story, Equity (10 ed.), § 716 ; Fry, Spec. Perf. § 12 ; Pomeroy, Spec. Perf. (2 ed.) § 24.

It is admitted, as we understand it, that a court of equity will not decree a specific performance of the contract in ■suit because it requires varied and continuous acts on the part of the defendants, but it is argued that it will enjoin the defendants from violating the contract by delivering papers, or causing them to be sold and delivered, within the territory embraced in plaintiffs’ contract, until such time as the defendants take the proper steps provided in the contract for its termination. Although the remedy suggested is negative rather than affirmative, it is, in effect, a decree for the performance of the contract. Enjoining the defendants from delivering papers or causing them to be sold and delivered in the disputed territory would practically enforce the contract, and require them to furnish the papers to the plaintiffs to be so delivered. A prohibition preventing a violation of the contract by the defendants would in this case as effectually compel its performance as an affirmative order to that effect. The leading case holding that, although a court of equity cannot compel the specific performance of a personal service contract, it may enjoin a violation of the negative provisions thereof, is that of Lumley v. Wagner, 1 De Gex, M. & G. 604. In that case the defendant had agreed with plaintiff to sing at his theater for a definite time, and not to sing elsewhere. She threatened to sing at another theater in violation of her contract. In a suit to enjoin her from so doing, the court held that it could not enforce the affirmative part of the contract, because it could not compel the defendant to sing, but it could and would enjoin and restrain her from singing elsewhere. In this case the contract was for a definite, fixed time, and plaintiff’s remedy at law was manifestly inadequate, because the damages which would accrue to him by a violation of the contract by the defendant could not be ascertained with any certainty. The same is true of Singer Sewing Machine Co. v. Union Buttonhole Co. 1 Holmes, 253 (Fed. Cas. No. 12904); Standard Fashion Co. v. Siegel-Cooper Co. 157 N. Y. 60 (51 N. E. 408, 43 L. R. A. 854, 68 Am. St. Rep. 749); Burlington v. Burlington Water Co. 86 Iowa, 266 (53 N. W. 246), and other cases cited by the plaintiffs.

4. We are therefore of the opinion that plaintiffs cannot maintain this suit, for the reasoiis stated. There is, however, another objection to the enforcement of the contract in equity at the suit of the plaintiffs, and that is because the 'remedy is not mutual, and defendants could not compel the plaintiffs to perform. It is a fundamental rule of equity that when, from the nature of the contract, it is incapable of being enforced against one party, that party is rendered equally incapable of enforcing it against the other, though its execution in the latter way might in itself be free from the difficulty attending its exechtion in the former. Unless a court of equity can execute the contract on both sides, it will generally not interpose in behalf of either party. To compel one to perform specifically, and send the other to a court of law to recover damages, would be in violation of the established principles of equity : Pomeroy, Spec. Perf. (2 ed.) § 165; Fry, Spec. Perf. § 286; Waterman, Spec. Perf. § 198; Marble Co. v. Ripley, 77 U. S. (10 Wall.) 339; Richmond v. Dubuque & Sioux City R. Co. 33 Iowa, 423; Tyson v. Watts, 1 Md. Ch. 13; Hoover v. Calhoun, 16 Grat. 109; Shenandoah Valley R. Co. v. Dunlop, 86 Va. 346 (10 S. E. 239); 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (2 ed.), 28. Now, as we have already stated, among the stipulations in the contract for performance by Southworth are that he shall carr-y the paper faithfully and carefully to every paying subscriber in the district; that he will endeavor on all occasions to increase the circulation, and will procure as much advertising patronage as possible; that he will be responsible and pay weekly for all papers taken from the office ; and that he will comply with all rules and regulations that the proprietor of the paper may see fit to adopt from time to time, not inconsistent with his contract. These provisions call for the performance of varied and continuous acts on the part of Southworth, requiring skill, energy, experience, judgment, and integrity. It will not be contended, we think, that a court of equity can or will decree the specific performance of such a contract, because the enforcement of its decree would require such constant superintendence as to make judicial control a matter of extreme difficulty', if not an impossibility. See authorities last cited.

For these reasons, the decree of the court below should be affirmed, and it is so ordered. Affirmed.