Questions of usury and damages are presented on this appeal. Delbert House purсhased a motor truck from Mowery-Gaskill Motor Company (hereinafter called “Mowery”) on a deferred payment title retaining contract. When House failed to make thе payments, Mowery filed this action for the balance claimed due and also had thе truck attached (§ 34-2301 Ark. Stats.). House claimed the contract of sale was usurious, and crоss complained for damages. Trial to a jury resulted in a verdict and judgment for House for $1,200.00 damages. From such judgment Mowery brings this appeal, listing seven points. We find it unnecessary to separately discuss each of the points: rather, we group them into convenient topic headings.
I. The Issue Of Usury. Mowery filed action on a conditional sales contract signеd by House, which showed a total obligation of $2,982.48, itemized as follows :
1. Price of Motor Truck Purchased 3,600.00
2. Less down payment by trade-in of old truck 1,200.00
3. Balance Due 2,400.00
4. Car Insurance 180.00
5. Credit Life Insurance Persоnal Accident Insurance and Interest Charges 402.48
Total Balance 2,982.48
Mowery alleged that the total amount was to be paid at the rate of $124.27 per month for twenty-four months beginning February 10, 1960; that House made the first payment and defaulted on others; and that the default matured the deferred payments. House, both by pleading and testimony, claimed that he traded in his old motor truck for the new one, and that the total amount he was to pay, including all interest and carrying charges, was $2,400.00 to be payable in twenty-four monthly payments. 1 He testified that he traded with Mowery latе in the afternoon; that no one was available to type the papers; that he signed them in blank and trusted Mowery to complete them; that when he received the completed contract lie made one payment; and then set up the claim of usury.
Thе fact that House made a payment after receiving the contract would constitute ratification; but would not preclude House from claiming usury, if the original contract was as he testified. The Trial Court was correct in so ruling. Even though the contract was in writing, nevertheless, parol evidence was admissible to show usury. Heidelberg Southern Sales Co. v. Tudor,
II. The Damage Verdict. As heretofore stated, when Mowery filed this action he had the motor truck attached and held by the Sheriff under § 34-2301 Ark. Stats. House claimed that since the contract was usurious, the motor truсk should not have been taken from his possession, and he sought damages for being-deprivеd of the use of the truck. The jury awarded House $1,200.00 damages; and this is the most serious issue in the case. The correct measure of damages for loss of use of property, in a case such as this, is the rental value or reasonable value of the use of the property. Arnold Barber Co. v. Provance,
III. Directions on Remand. Beсause of inquiries made by the jurors to the Trial Court, and answers given thereto, we conclude that the issue of damages was so interwoven with the issue of usury that on remand the case should be retried on all issues. Since this is a law case and the judgment is reversed, the cause is remanded for a new trial on all issues. See Wilson v. Davis,
Reversed and remanded.
Notes
There was a “side note” of $200.00 and a сlaimed account oi $30.30, but it is not necessary for us to detail these items to present thе salient issues.
Here are typical excerpts from Mr. House’s testimony as to damages:
“Q. What had you been doing with the truck?
A. Hauling logs and lumber and so forth.
Q. Did you keep a fairly good account of what you were making per month.
A. I didn’t keep exact record on it, no.
Q. Have yоu since then tried to figure what you were making?
A. Well, in the clear around above expеnses I judge I made around $100 a month. . . .
Q. You stated you thought it would make about $100 a month?
A. Right.
Q. Have you ever been in the trucking business before?
A. No, sir.
Q. Have you been in it since?
A. No, I haven’t.
Q. You really don’t know it would make $100 a month do you?
A. Well, it should make that much.
Q. How much would the expense be on it in a month if you were working in the timber?
A. Some months be greater than others, I wouldn’t know exact on that.
Q. I would like to know where you get the figure $100 a month.
A. Well, the $100 a month, I would think would be income from the truck.”