Independent Meat Co. v. Crane Co.

184 P. 992, 21 Ariz. 1, 1919 Ariz. LEXIS 106
CourtArizona Supreme Court
DecidedNovember 28, 1919
DocketCivil No. 1722
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 184 P. 992 (Independent Meat Co. v. Crane Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Arizona Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Independent Meat Co. v. Crane Co., 184 P. 992, 21 Ariz. 1, 1919 Ariz. LEXIS 106 (Ark. 1919).

Opinion

CUNNINGHAM, C. J.

(After Stating the Facts as Above.) — The controverted question in this case is whether Crane Company is given the right under the statute to claim a lien for the machinery and supplies it furnished Horstmann & Plomert, and which they actually used in the improvement in question. The appellant states the question as follows:

“Was the contract between Horstmann & Plomert and the Independent Meat Company a contract for the sále of the machinery and supplies therein mentioned, or was it such a contract as made Horstmann & Plomert contractors within the meaning of paragraph 3639 (Civ. Code Ariz. 1913)?”

Appellant says that—

“A construction of this contract determines the merits of this appeal. ...”

And it contends that upon a proper construction of the contract mentioned the appellee, Crane Company, cannot be considered as a-party entitled to a lien under said paragraph 3639, for the reason that Crane Company furnished the machinery and supplies to Horstmann & Plomert on a contract of sale, and that Horstmann & Plomert resold the same to appellant Independent Meat Company; that under said contract Horstmann & Plomert were the sellers of the machinery and supplies to the Independent Meat Company, and not a contractor on the construction of appellant’s plant, and as such contractor the machinery and supplies were purchased by it from Crane Company for the owner of the improvement.

[4]*4The machinery and supplies involved were furnished by Crane Company at the request of Horstmann & Plomert, were actually used in the plant, and were reasonably worth the amount claimed. Crane Company, in due time, served, filed, and recorded a notice of its claim of a lien under the provisions of the lien statutes, alleging in such notice that it furnished such machinery and supplies to Horstmann & Plomert as the contractor employed by the appellant Independent Meat Company “to install such ice-making and refrigerating machinery and power plants.” The said notice further alleges that the said machinery and supplies “were furnished under an oral understanding and agreement with the said Horstmann & Plomert that Crane Company would furnish materials as ordered and charge the reasonable value thereof; that, except as above stated, there were no terms, time given or conditions agreed upon. ’ ’

The answer denies that Horstmann & Plomert were contractors to' furnish the machinery and supplies, but alleges that they were materialmen, and, as such, contracted to sell and install the said machinery and supplies in Independent Meat Company’s building as it was being then constructed.

Upon this issue of fact, the trial was had, and judgment for Crane. Company followed. The contract between Independent Meat Company and Horstmann & Plomert was in writing. We quote portions •that are applicable to the questions raised in this lawsuit, omitting formal language of an advertising •nature and the portions setting forth the specifications of the items to be furnished. The instrument is in the form of a communication addressed to Independent Meat Company, of Jerome, and says:.

“We propose to furnish you one Frick Company’s . . . double cylinder . . . ammonia compressor and [5]*5appurtenances, for your slaughter-house in Jerome, Arizona, etc. . . . All in accordance with the following specifications . . . (giving specifications for the machinery to be used in the slaughter-house). . . .
“Horstmann & Plomert will furnish one skilled erecting engineer with tools to erect and put the machinery furnished under this contract into operation, who will remain for a period of three days after completion of the installation of each plant to make needed adjustments, etc., and to give instructions in the care and operation of the machinery. If the installations come up to contract in performance and otherwise purchaser will then accept the same as a fulfillment of the contract, subject only to the guaranty of workmanship and materials as hereinbefore contained; if they do not comply Horstmann & Plomert are to have a reasonable time within which to remedy defects or deficiencies, which shall correspondingly postpone the time of payment. If Horstmann & Plomert fail to make the machinery comply as aforesaid, they are to remove it and refund all payments with interest thereon, which is to end the whole transaction and all liability of both parties under this contract. In any event, if the parties hereto fail to agree amicably, Horstmann & Plomert are to have the privilege, if they so elect, to remove the machinery and refund the payments with interest as full and final settlement of the whole transaction.
“Horstmann & Plomert will furnish to purchaser the services of a competent working construction foreman to take charge of the construction of the cold storage room, chill robin and cold storage box, as referred to in these specifications, and of such other carpenter, construction, and installation work as purchaser may direct.
“ . . . [Provision for the payment of the foreman’s wages by the purchaser, which payments and wages are in addition to the contract price as mentioned.]
“Horstmann & Plomert will furnish all necessary, working drawings and details for the construction of all refrigerating and chill rooms of cooling towers, also drawings showing general arrangement of both plants. ' •
[6]*6“Purchaser is to build all foundations, do all insulating, carpenter and woodwork of' every description; make provisions for carrying off waste and drip, provide suitable openings into the buildings for the admission of the machinery, and openings in walls and •partitions for pipe lines.
“Horstmann «fe Plomert guarantee workmanship and material for one year, natural wear, tear, and accident excepted, provided the machinery is properly operated in accordance with their instructions, and in case any damage be caused by any material or workmanship proving defective their liability to be limited to repairing such defects or furnishing duplicate parts, free of charge, f. o. b. Los Angeles, California.
“Purchaser agrees to and will make all cash advances for such disbursements as otherwise would have to be made by Horstmann & Plomert in connection with the delivery, erection and installation of the plant herein specified. Any sum so advanced shall be deducted from the second payment at the time it becomes due.
“The titlé to said machinery is not to pass to purchaser, but is to remain vested in Horstmann <fe Plomert until the purchase price is fully paid in cash, and purchaser is to keep the said machinery fully insured in the’ meantime in solvent insurance companies for the protection of the interest of Horstmann <fe Plomert therein, and the policies therefor to be delivered to them. All loss by fire and other casualties for which Horstmann & Plomert are not indemnified and paid under such policies of insurance, to be borne by the purchaser on and after the arrival of said machinery and apparatus, or any part thereof, at Clarkdale, Arizona.

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Bluebook (online)
184 P. 992, 21 Ariz. 1, 1919 Ariz. LEXIS 106, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/independent-meat-co-v-crane-co-ariz-1919.