Cornelius v. Washington Steam Laundry

100 P. 727, 52 Wash. 272, 1909 Wash. LEXIS 1107
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedMarch 26, 1909
DocketNo. 7567
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 100 P. 727 (Cornelius v. Washington Steam Laundry) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cornelius v. Washington Steam Laundry, 100 P. 727, 52 Wash. 272, 1909 Wash. LEXIS 1107 (Wash. 1909).

Opinion

Chadwick, J.

This action was brought by plaintiffs to recover the value of materials furnished and services rendered in the construction and installation of a laundry plant, operated by defendant in Spokane, Washington. Plaintiffs allege the contract between the parties, the value in money of the services and labor, part payment, a balance due of $1,444.81, and the due execution and filing of a mechanics’ lien to secure that amount. They also allege that defendant holds the property sought to be charged, as lessee, under a term beginning October 1, 1907, and continuing for ten years. A copy of the lien notice is attached to the complaint, properly referred to, and made a part thereof. They pray for a foreclosure of the lien, together with the incidents of a recovery in such cases.

Defendant, after admitting its possession under a lease expiring October 1, 1917, denies that it employed plaintiffs to perform labor or furnish materials in the construction or [274]*274installation of a laundry plant, that it ever agreed to pay plaintiffs for labor or materials, that they furnished an}' labor or material, that the value of the labor and materials was as alleged in the complaint, that any sum has ever been paid, and that there is a balance due of $1,444.81. It “admits that the instrument referred to and attached as an exhibit to the complaint was filed in the office of the county auditor.” No further reference is made to the lien. As a further defense, defendant alleges that, during the time mentioned in the complaint, plaintiffs performed certain work in the way of plumbing and pipe fitting in the building occupied by it, the exact value of which it cannot state, and that on the 1st day of February, 1908, certain payments having been made on account, it was agreed between the parties that there was a balance due of $1,200, and that defendant should execute a note for that amount, due one year after date, payable to the order of the plaintiffs, and bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum; that in pursuance of the said agreement the note was executed and delivered; whereupon defendant asked that plaintiffs’ suit be dismissed. The further defense was denied by plaintiffs. The case coming on for trial, the court found the amount due from defendant to plaintiffs to be $1,420.86, together with $200 attorney’s fees, and further adjudged and decreed that the leasehold interest of defendant be sold to satisfy the judgment. From this decree, defendant has appealed.

The assignments of error, twenty in number, may be summarized as follows: (1) That-the lien was defective; (2) that the lien was not established; (3) that the debt was not due; (4) that there was no proof of the debt, or that the labor and material entered into the structure; (5) that the lien is barred by the execution of the note; (6) that attorney’s fees should not have been allowed; (7) that nonlienable items were included; (8) that a commission was improperly allowed; (9) that interest was improperly included in the judg[275]*275ment; (10) that the decree is not broad enough to warrant a sale of the premises.

(1) The alleged defect in the lien notice is in this, that while the verification says that the lien notice is true, it omits to say that it is just. The defect goes to the form rather than the substance of the lien, and was subject to amendment. There being no offer or request to amend in the court below, we shall assume that the objection was not there pointed out or, if pointed out, the lien was held to be sufficient under the authority of Johnston v. Harrington, 5 Wash. 73, 31 Pac. 316, and Fairhaven Land Co. v. Jordan, 5 Wash. 729, 32 Pac. 729. If the lien notice were in fact defective, “this court will treat a defective lien notice as it does a defective pleading and consider it as amended in all cases where substantial justice has been done and the defect complained of has not operated to the injury of the com- . plaining party.” Olson v. Snake River Valley R. Co., 22 Wash. 139, 60 Pac. 156.

(2) Respondents insist that there was no issue on the question whether or not a lien had been -perfected on the appellant’s property. Reference to that part of the answer hereinbefore quoted will show that appellant admits the filing of the lien notice, and docs not deny that the lien was duly executed. Respondents alleged that, for the purpose of securing and perfecting a lien, they duly executed and filed their claim of lien, and they attached a copy of the lien so executed and filed to their complaint. It thus became a part of the complaint. It has been repeatedly held that all objections going to the sufficiency of the lien notice should be raised at the time it is offered; Seattle & Montana R. Co. v. Corbett, 22 Wash. 189, 60 Pac. 127. This upon the theory that, under our liberal lien laws, a lien may be amended, and if no issue is taken or objection made, the court will hold the lien to be sufficient. That this rule puts an unwarranted burden on the defendant, in that-the duty of pointing out the way of preparing a proper lien [276]*276is imposed upon Mm, is untenable. The object of a pleading is to ascertain and place before the court the ultimate fact; and in lien cases, by the implied mandate of the statute, a court will not refuse to foreclose a lien that may be amended. The reason of the rule announced in the cases makes it imperative that we hold that the lien as well as its filing should be admitted or denied. It was not denied. It therefore stands an admitted fact, requiring no evidence to sustain it.

(3 and 4) We are not disposed to go into the question that the debt was not due. The evidence shows conclusively that the parties agreed that at least the sum of $1,200 was due, since which time no payments have been made, and appellant Sonneman admits in Ms testimony that, if on final settlement more than that amount was found to be due, it would be adjusted. Nor are we prepared to say that the court erred in finding that the amount of labor and material furnished claimed by respondents is not as stated by them.

(5) Appellant relies principally upon its further and separate answer, that a note was given for the amount due, which was payable in one year, thus rendering this action premature. This question was before the lower court. The testimony with reference to the giving of the note is conflicting. Appellant maintains that it was given absolutely, while respondents insist that it was given in order that the respondents might, if possible, negotiate it for appellant. A few days after it was given, respondents endeavored to return it to appellant’s manager Sonneman, and upon his refusal to receive it, it was left on the counter. The next day it was retui’ned by mail to respondents. Both parties now disclaim knowledge or possession of it. There is sufficient testimony to warrant a conclusion in favor of either party. The trial court had the witnesses before him and could observe their manner, judge of their credibility, and weigh the testimony with precision, and his findings in this regard will be sustained. Appellant insists, however, that the court did not make any findings upon this issue. It is true that he [277]*277did not make any finding upon this issue, nor did appellant request it. Bank of California v. Dyer, 14 Wash. 279, 44 Pac. 534. The judgment rendered is inconsistent with any other theory than that the court found that the note was not accepted as a payment of the amount due.

(6) This assignment is disposed of by the foregoing discussion.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
100 P. 727, 52 Wash. 272, 1909 Wash. LEXIS 1107, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cornelius-v-washington-steam-laundry-wash-1909.