124 Minn. 361 | Minn. | 1914
After many trials and vicissitudes the merits of this case have been settled and adjusted and only the taxable disbursements remain to furnish matter for litigation. It appears that in June, 1910, an attorney procured 37 clients, making identical contracts with each as to fees and disbursements. These clients were settlers near defendant’s railway, who had been damaged by a fire claimed to have been set through its negligence. The attorney duly commenced an action for each of these 37 clients against defendant to recover for the injury. Only a few of these actions were tried. The loss to each plaintiff was occasioned by the one fire. The damages claimed were very large and no doubt justified careful preparation for trial. Three trials have been had in the district court, and twice the case has been here, one decision reported in 121 Minn. 78, 140 N. W. 188, and the other reported infra, page 526, 144 N. W. 1134, in respect to the attorney’s right to the proceeds. In one of these trials defendant prevailed, and became entitled to costs to be offset against the amount which might be taxable in favor of plaintiff on the other two. This right of plaintiff to tax costs appears to have been given by the terms of settlement. The clerk taxed the costs and both parties appealed. On the appeal the clerk’s taxation was affirmed, except as to two items amounting to $28.90 which were disallowed. Plaintiff appeals.
Defendant moves to dismiss because (a) the appeal is from orders and from a part of the judgment, and (b) no appeal lies from a judgment for costs only. The motion must be denied. It is true the orders referred to in the notice of appeal are not appealable, but on appeal from the judgment the errors sought to be corrected in the
On the merits of the appeal these questions arise: (a) May fees be taxed for serving subpoenas by a private person ? (b) Is a stenographic transcript of the testimony for the use of the attorney during the trial a taxable disbursement? (c) Must the court permit disbursements to be taxed for photographs and maps received in evidence? (d) Was it proper for the court under the circumstances of this case to allow only 1-37 of the disbursement for documentary evidence obtained for use in all the cases ?
Nothing may be taxed for serving a summons unless the service is made by sheriff. This rule fixed by statute (section 7730, G-. S. 1913), prohibiting the allowance of compensation for service of summons when made by a private party, has been followed in respect to service of subpoena ever since the courts were established in the state, if we are correctly advised. We are not inclined to change this practice, for to do so will but add to the expense of litigation and lead to abuse.
The same applies to transcripts of testimony obtained by the attorney from the stenographic reporter or, for that matter, from a private stenographer, while the case is on trial. In important cases attorneys frequently thus obtain a transcript of the evidence during the trial. Its use and value in cross-examination, in knowing exactly what to rehut and in the final argument to court or jury, is well understood. But, unless by agreement between attorneys, the cost of such transcripts have not been considered taxable disbursements
Plaintiff attempted to tax $50 for photographs and $1,500 for a map of the burned district offered and received in evidence at the trial. Complaint is made because these items were wholly rejected by the court. Appellant contends that, because these were received in evidence, it follows that the cost thereof to him must be allowed under the statute. It is the proyince of the trial court to determine whether these were disbursements “necessarily paid or incurred.” Section 7976, G. S. 1913. To a large extent this involves an exercise of discretion and judgment. No abuse is shown, nor is this record such that we can say that the court’s finding that these were not necessary disbursements is not sustained. The affidavit of respondent’s attorney makes it clear that the matters which the map and photographs tended to prove might as well have been proven by oral testimony. No doubt the photographs and map were convenient, but it does not follow that they were necessary. Thompson v. Germania Life Ins. Co. 97 Minn. 89, 106 N. W. 102; Hoyt v. Jones, 31 Wis. 389; Mark v. City of Buffalo, 87 N. Y. 184; Miller v. Highland Ditch Co. 91 Cal. 103, 27 Pac. 536; Bathgate v. Irvine, 126 Cal. 135, 58 Pac. 442, 77 Am. St. 158; Weiss v. Meyer, 24 Ore. 108, 32 Pac. 1025.
Another objection is urged to the judgment that, while the court allowed plaintiff to tax for certified copies of reports of the state fire warden, only 1-37 of the amount paid was permitted in the judgment. We think the court was right. The affidavit of respondent’s attorney makes it plain that these reports were procured for the trial of the 37 cases mentioned, that all the other cases had been settled and in the settlement thereof the disbursements of the several plaintiffs were adjusted and paid by defendant. This leaves defendant liable to this appellant only for the proportionate share he has incurred. There is no showing that he has paid or incurred more than his share. The case of Jermain v. Lake Shore & M. S. R. Co. 31 Hun, 558, seems applicable.
Judgment affirmed.
