Jacob Johnson Fish Co. v. Hawley

| Wis. | Oct 8, 1912

Mahshall, J.

A question is presented respecting whether tbe court gave tbe jury tbe proper rule of damages, and whether there was any evidence to properly establish damages; but tbe view we take- of the case renders such questions immaterial.

The trial court construed the occurrences between Mr. Haw-ley and respondent as having operated to close a contract for the use of the former’s tugboat, irrespective of whether Capt. Garland was secured to command it, prior to receipt by Mr. Hawley of the letter of November 3, 1907. The reasoning by which such conclusion was reached appears in the record, is sufficiently mentioned in the statement, and seems infirm in several particulars.

'Much stress was placed upon the word sent by Mr. Hawley to respondent in reply to the latter’s offer to pay $300 for the season’s use of the tug. It is said iirthe judge’s opinion, that these words were used: “Close contract,” “Terms accepted.” We do not find the words “Close contract” were used, — only the words “Terms accepted. Engage Capt. Garland, writing.” The only terms mentioned in the offer were in these words: “Go for three hundred for thirty days, you pay expenses one way.” That was referred to in. plaintiff’s letter of November 3d as an acceptance which closed a contract; but it is plainly not that. It was only a counter offer to the one mentioned in the communication to Mr. Hawley, offering $300 for use of the tug for the season to depend on conditions. The counter offer covered both subjects. So up to this point there, certainly, had not been any meeting of minds. The reply to the counter offer accepted the terms as to price and expense; but, added the words “Engage Capt. Garland, writing.” Such reply was quite ambiguous. The natural inference therefrom was that the terms mentioned by Mr. Haw-ley, as to compensation and length of -the season, were accepted ; but Capt. Garland should be engaged to command the boat and an explanation would be made by letter. The words “Engage Capt. Garland” and the word “writing” were tied together and pretty plainly suggested that the contractual details were still to be settled and the signification of the words “Engage Oapt. Garland, writing,” would be made known in due course. Now what followed by letter does not appear to have been given due weight by the trial judge in coming to a conclusion, as to whether the reference to Oapt. Garland was merely suggestive or matter of condition. Standing alone, it might fairly be construed to be the former. Mr. Hawley seems to have been somewhat uncertain and so made no immediate reply; but,'waited for the letter. When that came it, doubtless, seemed quite plain to him that the actual closing of the contract was, in the judgment of respondent, to wait upon acceptance of its choice of a person to command the boat and execution of a written lease as to terms.

The letter stated with reference to the proposed lease, “Please sign one copy and return it to us at once so that we will know the matter is settled.” That plainly indicated it was not to be understood a contract had been closed in advance of the writing being signed. The letter further, unmistakably, indicates that the lease, as written, was not intended to cover the entire matter. It made no reference to the condition contained in Mr. Hawley’s letter as to respondent paying expenses one way, nor to the ambiguous language in the telegram : “Engage Capt. Garland.” The former was covered in the letter thus: “We have not mentioned this matter in the lease; but we agree to pay expenses one way on route.” The latter was covered thus: “We wired you this morning that your terms were accepted and to engage Capt. Garland, and we will write him also and engage his services. We want no other man if we can get him.” Thus emphasizing the words of acceptance as referring only to the price for use of the boat and the term of service, and giving the reference to Capt. Garland the cast of a condition.

How could Mr. Hawley otherwise have understood the telegram than as suggested in connection with the matter ? If it be true that respondent did not mean to convey such an idea; but used language leading Mr. Hawley, in the exercise of ordinary care, to suppose it did, it must bear tbe burden of its fault. He bad a right to act upon the meaning which respondent’s words conveyed to him, if such, reasonably, might be the meaning an ordinarily careful person would read out of •such language under the same or similar circumstances. The letter not only declared that respondent wanted no other person to command the boat if he could be secured; but, took the matter of settling the question out of Mr. Hawley’s hands, saying it would write Capt. Garland and engage him. Nothing ■occurred thereafter indicating that Mr. Hawley was agreeable to placing his boat in charge of Garland. On the contrary he made known, promptly, by'telephone, that he would not accede to that, but stand by his choice which was Capt. McClain. It does not appear that respondent receded till the letter of November 3, 1909, was written. There fihe counter offer made by Mr. Hawley, October 21th before, was referred to as an acceptance, — a very singular circumstance, — showing a purpose to claim the existence of a contract by a misconstruction of Mr. Hawley’s telegram. There was nothing in the nature of an acceptance until the telegram was sent by respondent in response to Mr. Hawley’s counter offer. Note the peculiar language of respondent’s letter: “On the day we received your wired acceptance of our offer we had almost concluded a deal for the ‘Currybut were very glad that we did not have to engage her as she is altogether too slow. Now, however, we cannot, possibly, get along without your boat as all other boats suitable for herring, fishing have been engaged.” That was followed by language suggesting consent to Capt. McOlain as commander of the boat; but still showing preference for Capt. Garland.

It seems clear that respondent did not recede from its demand until it found it could not obtain the use of the boat on the condition it had imposed and that there was no other boat obtainable. Before the November 3d letter was received Mr. Hawley had leased his boat to another party. Had the trial court given proper significance to tbe letter explaining-tbe first reference to Garland, instead of leaving it entirely out of view, as is clearly indicated in tbe opinion was done on. tbe motion to direct a verdict, and fin some way viewed the-case as if respondent’s reply to Mr. ITawley’s counter offer contained tbe words “close contract” when no sucb words were-therein, it seems clear tbat tbe conclusion would not bave been reached tbat, by sucb telegram, tbe minds of tbe parties met- and a contract was closed, irrespective of whether Oapt. Garland was engaged to command tbe boat or not.

In view of tbe foregoing, it is considered tbat tbe motion, to direct a verdict should bave been granted.

By the Court. — Tbe judgment is reversed, and cause remanded with directions to render judgment in favor of the-defendant dismissing tbe cause with costs.