Delano v. Goldstein

183 N.E. 146, 281 Mass. 188, 1932 Mass. LEXIS 1087

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: November 29, 1932
• Status: Published

Opinion

Lummus, J.

It appears from the report of the judge of the District Court that the defendant owned a house occupied by herself and her husband. Both took part in a discussion with the plaintiffs preceding the making of an oral contract for the installation by the plaintiffs of plumbing and heating in the house, and the defendant suggested several changes in the proposed work, but the oral contract was made by the plaintiffs with the husband, whom they had known for twenty years and with whom they had done business on other occasions. At the time they were not interested in the ownership of the house, but charged the work to the husband and relied on him for payment. The defendant knew the work was being done. After the work had been done and the husband had died, the plaintiffs learned for the first time that the house was the property of the defendant, and brought this action against her for the labor and materials furnished. The judge found for the plaintiffs, and the Appellate Division held that his finding was warranted on the theory that the defendant was an undisclosed principal.

Under earlier decisions of this court, the evidence was sufficient to warrant a finding that the defendant reasonably should have expected to be held liable for the cost of the work (Spencer v. Spencer, 181 Mass. 471), and was an undisclosed principal. Dyer v. Swift, 154 Mass. 159. Beston v. Amadon, 172 Mass. 84. Reid v. Miller, 205 Mass. 80. Maynard v. Fabyan, 267 Mass. 312.

Order dismissing report affirmed.