Merle v. Beifeld
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Opinions
Mr. Justice Pam
delivered the opinion of the court. This is a proceeding in chancery by William F. Merle, a stockholder of the White City Construction Company, against the Sherman House Hotel Company, Joseph Beifeld, Morris Beifeld, Eugene V. Beifeld,. Frank Behring, Lillian Beifeld, L. A. Dehen, Aaron J. Jones, Samuel J. Kline, Paul D. Howse, Edward B. Grossman, the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company and the White City Construction Company, charging a misappropriation of corporate funds of the White City Construction Company to his prejudice, and praying-relief.
Answers were filed by all of the defendants, and after a preliminary hearing before the court, the cause was referred to a master to report his conclusions of law and fact.
The decree of the Circuit Court held that the bill was properly brought, but did not grant all the relief prayed for. There were findings in the decree against Joseph Beifeld, the Sherman House Hotel Company and the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company. To the entry of this decree exceptions were taken and appeals prayed by William F. Merle, complainant, Joseph Beifeld, the Sherman House Hotel Company and the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company. However, only the complainant, Joseph Beifeld, and the Sherman House Hotel Company perfected their appeals.
The defendants Joseph Beifeld and the Sherman House Hotel Company perfected their appeal jointly and severally. Under an order of court these appeals were consolidated for hearing.
Hereafter we shall designate William F. Merle as the complainant, and'the Sherman House Hotel Company and Joseph Beifeld as the defendants; and when we have occasion to refer to the Sherman House Hotel Company separately, we shall term it the Hotel Company, and the White City Construction Company as the Construction Company.
The bill of complaint was filed January 11, 1908, by William F. Merle, a stockholder and bondholder of the Construction Company, on behalf of himself and other stock and bondholders of the Construction Company, against the defendants heretofore named. The material facts as set up in the bill are as follows:
That the Construction Company was organized under the laws of the State of Illinois August 26, 1904, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, divided into 10,000 shares of the par value of $100 each-, that ever since its organization, a majority of the capital stock of the Construction Company has been owned or controlled by the said Joseph Beifeld; that while from time to time shares of stock appeared on the books of the company in the name of Lillian Beifeld, Morris Beifeld, Eug-ene V. Beifeld, Frank Behring, Samuel J. Kline, L. A. Dehen, and E. B. G-rossman, the said shares of stock were in fact either held in the interest of Joseph Beifeld and were controlled by the said Joseph Beifeld, and that by means of said stock ownership or control, Joseph Beifeld has continually dominated the directors in the conduct of the company’s business; that the Hotel Company, one of the defendants, is an Illinois corporation, and that Joseph Beifeld owns and controls substantially all of the capital stock thereof; that Joseph, Morris, Eugene V. and Lillian Beifeld conspired for the purpose of fraudulently depriving the stockholders of the Construction Company, including the complainant herein, of their rights and interestsns "stockholders, and converting its funds, profits and property for the benefit of the Beifelds and the Hotel Company; that in pursuance of said conspiracy, the Beifelds and the Hotel Company have, from time to time prior to the filing of the bill, since August 26, 3.904, fraudulently caused and permitted large sums of money to be paid out of the funds of the Construction Company to the Hotel Company, to the Beifelds and other persons unknown to the complainant, in their business and financial transactions with the Construction Company, to which sums of money thus paid out or credited or allowed, said parties were not legally entitled.
The bill sets forth specifically a number of the transactions of the Hotel Company, Joseph and Morris Beifeld and their agents, in which it is alleged the Construction Company was defrauded and suffered financial loss. Inasmuch as these transactions will have to be referred to specifically in the course of this opinion, we shall refrain from setting them out at this time.
The bill further sets forth that Joseph Beifeld has in other instances than those specifically enumerated, wronged the Construction Company by a personal conversion of the funds, and by being interested in other corporations or business inimical thereto.
The bill further alleges that by reason of the facts already set forth, any demand upon defendants or any of them, including the Construction Company, for the rectification of the wrongs complained of, would have been futile; it concludes with a prayer for an accounting, the appointment of a receiver, and for other relief.
While all of the defendants answered the bill,' we need concern ourselves only with the answers of the following defendants, viz. the Construction Company,' Joseph Beifeld, and the Hotel Company; save to say, that all of the defendants denied entering into any conspiracy or combination as charged in the bill of complaint.
In its answer, the Construction Company further stated that it was a solvent and going concern, and objected to interference with the internal management of its affairs. It denied complainant’s right to the relief prayed for, but stated its willingness to produce its books and records for examination by the court, and to abide by any order the court might enter in the premises.
Joseph Beifeld, in his answer, denied the alleged conspiracy and the fraudulent acts set forth, and that a demand for the rectification of the alleged wrongs would have been futile.
The Hotel Company adopted the answer of Joseph Beifeld.
Upon the filing of these answers, complainant amended his bill of complaint by alleging that certain facts set forth in Joseph Beifeld’s answer were additional evidence of its charges against the said Joseph Beifeld. Beplications were filed to the answers, which answers to the original bill were ordered to stand as answers to the amended bill.
The Construction Company was organized in 1904 for the purpose of operating an amusement park in the city of Chicago, known as White City. Paul D. Howse and Aaron J. Jones, two men of experience in the amusement business, brought the White City project to the attention of Joseph Beifeld in June, 1904. Mr. Beifeld at that time was president and principal owner, of the Hotel Company, a corporation which conducted the Hotel Sherman and the College Inn restaurant in Chicago. He was without experience in the .amusement business. J ones and Howse took the proposition to him, knowing he was a man of means, and believing he would finance the enterprise because it would give him an opportunity to extend his restaurant business.
A lease of the ground at Sixty-third street and South Park avenue was taken by Joseph Beifeld, Jones and Howse, and subsequently assigned to the Construction Company, which corporation operated the amusement park. A bond issue of $500,000 was authorised to raise the money with which to bnild the park. The.
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Mr. Justice Pam
delivered the opinion of the court. This is a proceeding in chancery by William F. Merle, a stockholder of the White City Construction Company, against the Sherman House Hotel Company, Joseph Beifeld, Morris Beifeld, Eugene V. Beifeld,. Frank Behring, Lillian Beifeld, L. A. Dehen, Aaron J. Jones, Samuel J. Kline, Paul D. Howse, Edward B. Grossman, the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company and the White City Construction Company, charging a misappropriation of corporate funds of the White City Construction Company to his prejudice, and praying-relief.
Answers were filed by all of the defendants, and after a preliminary hearing before the court, the cause was referred to a master to report his conclusions of law and fact.
The decree of the Circuit Court held that the bill was properly brought, but did not grant all the relief prayed for. There were findings in the decree against Joseph Beifeld, the Sherman House Hotel Company and the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company. To the entry of this decree exceptions were taken and appeals prayed by William F. Merle, complainant, Joseph Beifeld, the Sherman House Hotel Company and the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company. However, only the complainant, Joseph Beifeld, and the Sherman House Hotel Company perfected their appeals.
The defendants Joseph Beifeld and the Sherman House Hotel Company perfected their appeal jointly and severally. Under an order of court these appeals were consolidated for hearing.
Hereafter we shall designate William F. Merle as the complainant, and'the Sherman House Hotel Company and Joseph Beifeld as the defendants; and when we have occasion to refer to the Sherman House Hotel Company separately, we shall term it the Hotel Company, and the White City Construction Company as the Construction Company.
The bill of complaint was filed January 11, 1908, by William F. Merle, a stockholder and bondholder of the Construction Company, on behalf of himself and other stock and bondholders of the Construction Company, against the defendants heretofore named. The material facts as set up in the bill are as follows:
That the Construction Company was organized under the laws of the State of Illinois August 26, 1904, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, divided into 10,000 shares of the par value of $100 each-, that ever since its organization, a majority of the capital stock of the Construction Company has been owned or controlled by the said Joseph Beifeld; that while from time to time shares of stock appeared on the books of the company in the name of Lillian Beifeld, Morris Beifeld, Eug-ene V. Beifeld, Frank Behring, Samuel J. Kline, L. A. Dehen, and E. B. G-rossman, the said shares of stock were in fact either held in the interest of Joseph Beifeld and were controlled by the said Joseph Beifeld, and that by means of said stock ownership or control, Joseph Beifeld has continually dominated the directors in the conduct of the company’s business; that the Hotel Company, one of the defendants, is an Illinois corporation, and that Joseph Beifeld owns and controls substantially all of the capital stock thereof; that Joseph, Morris, Eugene V. and Lillian Beifeld conspired for the purpose of fraudulently depriving the stockholders of the Construction Company, including the complainant herein, of their rights and interestsns "stockholders, and converting its funds, profits and property for the benefit of the Beifelds and the Hotel Company; that in pursuance of said conspiracy, the Beifelds and the Hotel Company have, from time to time prior to the filing of the bill, since August 26, 3.904, fraudulently caused and permitted large sums of money to be paid out of the funds of the Construction Company to the Hotel Company, to the Beifelds and other persons unknown to the complainant, in their business and financial transactions with the Construction Company, to which sums of money thus paid out or credited or allowed, said parties were not legally entitled.
The bill sets forth specifically a number of the transactions of the Hotel Company, Joseph and Morris Beifeld and their agents, in which it is alleged the Construction Company was defrauded and suffered financial loss. Inasmuch as these transactions will have to be referred to specifically in the course of this opinion, we shall refrain from setting them out at this time.
The bill further sets forth that Joseph Beifeld has in other instances than those specifically enumerated, wronged the Construction Company by a personal conversion of the funds, and by being interested in other corporations or business inimical thereto.
The bill further alleges that by reason of the facts already set forth, any demand upon defendants or any of them, including the Construction Company, for the rectification of the wrongs complained of, would have been futile; it concludes with a prayer for an accounting, the appointment of a receiver, and for other relief.
While all of the defendants answered the bill,' we need concern ourselves only with the answers of the following defendants, viz. the Construction Company,' Joseph Beifeld, and the Hotel Company; save to say, that all of the defendants denied entering into any conspiracy or combination as charged in the bill of complaint.
In its answer, the Construction Company further stated that it was a solvent and going concern, and objected to interference with the internal management of its affairs. It denied complainant’s right to the relief prayed for, but stated its willingness to produce its books and records for examination by the court, and to abide by any order the court might enter in the premises.
Joseph Beifeld, in his answer, denied the alleged conspiracy and the fraudulent acts set forth, and that a demand for the rectification of the alleged wrongs would have been futile.
The Hotel Company adopted the answer of Joseph Beifeld.
Upon the filing of these answers, complainant amended his bill of complaint by alleging that certain facts set forth in Joseph Beifeld’s answer were additional evidence of its charges against the said Joseph Beifeld. Beplications were filed to the answers, which answers to the original bill were ordered to stand as answers to the amended bill.
The Construction Company was organized in 1904 for the purpose of operating an amusement park in the city of Chicago, known as White City. Paul D. Howse and Aaron J. Jones, two men of experience in the amusement business, brought the White City project to the attention of Joseph Beifeld in June, 1904. Mr. Beifeld at that time was president and principal owner, of the Hotel Company, a corporation which conducted the Hotel Sherman and the College Inn restaurant in Chicago. He was without experience in the .amusement business. J ones and Howse took the proposition to him, knowing he was a man of means, and believing he would finance the enterprise because it would give him an opportunity to extend his restaurant business.
A lease of the ground at Sixty-third street and South Park avenue was taken by Joseph Beifeld, Jones and Howse, and subsequently assigned to the Construction Company, which corporation operated the amusement park. A bond issue of $500,000 was authorised to raise the money with which to bnild the park. The. capital stock of this company was $1,000,000, of which $300,000 was divided between Joseph Beifeld, Howse, Jones and one E. C. Boyce, an architect living in New York City, who drew the plans and supervised the construction of the park. The remainder of the capital stock was to be used in selling the bonds,— $200,000 as a commission to sell, and $500,000 to be given as a bonus with the sale of the bonds. Of these bonds, Joseph- Beifeld himself purchased $235,000 worth, and sold $215,000 worth more to his friends; and $50,000 worth were otherwise disposed of. There is no question that Joseph Beifeld controlled and owned a majority of both the capital stock and the bonds issued by the Construction Company.
Complainant was a manufacturer of bank, saloon and restaurant fixtures, etc. He first became interested in the Construction Company in the fall of 1904, when he purchased $1,000 worth of bonds, with which he received $1,000 worth of stock. He made further purchases of stock and bonds subsequently to that time, the last purchase being in 1907; and at the time this bill was filed, Merle owned practically one-seventh of the entire capital stock of the Construction Company. He was also interested in several concession contracts, among which was that with the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company.
The construction of White City, before it was opened to the public on May 27, 1905, involved an expenditure of more than $800,000, a sum much larger than originally contemplated. The profits during the first season were sufficient to pay up the difference between the $500,000 raised by the sale of bonds and the actual cost of construction. This expenditure did not include the cost of constructing the College Inn building, otherwise known as the Casino.
The directors for the first year and until October 31, 1905, were Joseph Beifeld, E. C. Boyce, Aaron J. Jones and Paul D. Howse. In October, 1905, they were increased to seven at which time complainant was elected a director, and he continued to be a director up to the time of the filing of this bill.
Prom the beginning, it was contemplated that Joseph Beifeld was to have the concession for a large restaurant at White City, including the privilege of selling drinks there. Accordingly a concession contract known as “Contract A” was entered into under date of November 9, 1904, between the Construction Company and the Hotel Company, giving the latter company the exclusive right to the sale of foods, drinks, cigars, cigarettes and tobacco, within the premises occupied by the Construction Company.
On December 10, 1904, the Construction Company granted to the Hotel Company a concession for the exclusive sale of candy, peanuts, popcorn, cracker jack and fruits of all kinds, except that sold through slot machines, on the premises known as White City, for a period of ten years. This concession contract will hereinafter be referred to as “Contract B.” The manner in which these contracts were interpreted and carried out by the Hotel Company and the Construction Company gave rise to the numerous allegations in the bill of complaint upon which the complainant depends to maintain his action.
This cause came on for hearing upon the original bill as amended, the answers and replications thereto. No demurrer was filed upon the facts set forth in the bill. It is fair to presume, therefore, that the bill did set up facts which, if proven, entitled complainant to the relief sought. There was a hearing of the case before it was referred to the master and sufficient evidence was heard to enable the court to construe certain provisions in contract “A”, after which the cause in general was referred to the master in chancery to hear the other evidence both as to the right of the complainant to maintain the bill and as to items of accounting sought by complainant, to the end that the master may consider the evidence with the guidance of the court’s opinion as already announced with reference to certain provisions in contract “A” and that the court may, upon coming in of the master’s report, render a decree covering both the right of the complainant to maintain the bill and all the items and amounts of such accounting, if the court should decide in favor of the complainant thereon. The court, however, expressly reserved its findings on the complainant’s right to maintain the bill. Under this order, the master heard the evidence and reported his conclusions of law and fact.
In this report, the master concluded that the complainant was entitled to maintain the bill; that while complainant had not proven that a conspiracy existed as charged in the bill, yet he had proven sufficient facts to entitle him to an accounting; and further gave his conclusions as to various items which should be figured in the accounting, rules to be followed in the accounting, in addition to those that had already been laid down by the court in its special order of reference heretofore referred to. The master’s report covered only the seasons of 1905, 1906 and 1907, the period from the organization of the Construction Company up to the date of the filing of the bill of complaint.
At the hearing upon exceptions to the master’s report, the decree from which these appeals have been prosecuted was entered, although not by the same chancellor who entered the order of reference.
Before the master concluded' that the complainant was entitled to maintain his bill, he heard evidence on the specific charges set forth in the bill upon which the complainant based his claim for relief. 'These charges relate to the alleged acts and declarations of Joseph Beifeld, the officers of the Hotel Company, and the officers and directors of the Construction Company. The master found that the evidence clearly showed that Joseph Beifeld controlled not only the board of directors of the Construction Company, but also .the stockholders thereof; that funds and property of the Construction Company had been wrongfully diverted to the Hotel Company and Joseph Beifeld; that the said Joseph Beifeld, being in control of the board of directors of the Construction Company and owning the majority of its stock, had the right to and did name at all times the directors of the Construction Company, and thereby continued to have control of the said company; that by reason of said control, a demand on the said Beifeld and the Hotel Company to restore to the said Construction Company the funds and property wrongfully diverted would have been futile.
The defendants contend, first, that the acts and declarations were matters of internal corporate management, of which, in the absence of fraud, equity had no jurisdiction; that the evidence failed to show fraud on the part of the defendants Beifeld and the Hotel Company; and further, that before complainant may institute suit in his own name and conduct the litigation in question, he must first show that he exhausted all means within his reach to obtain from the corporation itself a redress of his grievances, unless such state of facts is proven which makes it apparent that a demand to secure a redress of grievances would have been futile; and that the evidence in this case failed to show either such demand, or that such a demand, if made, would have been futile.
The first issue arises with reference to the construction and interpretation of ‘ ‘ Contract A, ’ ’ and the acts of the defendants with reference thereto. Complainant contends, first, that the Hotel Company included in the so-called construction account, items which were not properly chargeable to the Construction Company under the contract; and secondly, that the Hotel Company did not credit the Construction Company with the proper commissions on the sale of drinks, as provided for in said contract. The provisions of the contract material to the issues under discussion, are as follows:
“1st. The Company (the Construction Co.) leased to the concessionaire (the Hotel Co.) concession known as the White City concession No. 1 for exclusive right of sale of foods, drinks, cigars, cigarettes and tobaccos within the premises occupied by the Company as lessee of a tract of land situated at the corner of 63rd street and Park avenue upon which the Company is constructing the White City.
“2. The Company grants to concessionaire the use of space approximately 100 by 200 feet on the east side of said grounds on the north end thereof, the exact space being shown on the ground plan drawn by Edward C. Boyce, adopted by the Company and issued by Joseph Beifeld, President.
“5. For the purpose of determining the cost of the buildings, concessionaire to furnish after the completion of the same full statement of cost, together with amounts expended by him for all appurtenances and fixtures of a permanent character attached to the building, all of which shall be a part of the cost of the building. In determining the cost no account shall be taken of movable fixtures, as tables and chairs, nor of any linen, silver or table or kitchen utensils.
“9. As compensation, concessionaire agrees to pay to the Company in lieu of all other amounts or charges twenty-five per cent, of the gross receipts from the sales of drinks and ten per cent, of the gross receipts from the sales of cigars, cigarettes and tobaccos, but shall not pay any commission or percentage on the sale of sales of eatables.
“10. Concessionaire shall not pay to the Company any portion of the twenty-five per cent, and the ten per cent, of the gross receipts, but shall retain the same until such per cent, shall equal the total original cost of the building or buildings, appurtenances and equipments as shown by the statement which shall be furnished to the Company by the concessionaire and until concessionaire shall be reimbursed for all outlays in maintaining buildings, appurtenances and moneys expended for insurance thereon. When total amount of retained percentages by the concessionaire shall equal cost of the buildings, appurtenances and cost of maintenance, buildings shall become the property of the Company, and concessionaire shall then execute and deliver to Company conveyance which may be necessary, upon receiving due compensation concessionaire shall assign to Company all insurance then upon the buildings and equipment. Thereafter concessionaire shall pay twenty-five per cent, of the gross receipts from the sales of drinks, ten per cent, of the gross receipts from the sale of cigars, cigarettes and tobaccos in the manner hereinafter provided. Thereafter Company shall be liable for and shall pay costs of making repairs to the buildings and cost of charges of maintenance excepting for water and cost of lighting and heating.
“12. Concessionaire shall install and keep for sale such soft drinks, being drinks other than spirituous and malt liquors, as the Company may from time to time in writing request. In case of failure to do so after five days’ notice, concessionaire shall forfeit the exclusive rights and privileges granted by this contract. ’ ’
These provisions show that the contract may be considered in two divisions, viz.: (1) Provisions relating to payments for the cost of construction, and (2) provisions relating to articles to be sold and commissions to be paid by the Hotel Company. These two provisions correspond respectively to the first and second contentions of the complainant as hereinabove set forth. We shall first take up the contention that the Hotel Company included in the so-called construction account items which were not properly chargeable to the Construction Company.
While the discussion of this question involves the entire construction, yet, with the exception of the bar fixtures, refrigerators, motors, filter, cooking range and like items, there are but few items in the entire construction account—such as the construction of the Terrace Tavern building, extra booths and the tunnel •—in dispute between the parties; the only others being some minor items ranging from a few cents to several hundred dollars, and totaling about $1,71-6.28. In the final decree, items to the extent of $9,303.57 were disallowed in the entire construction account which totaled $113,000 and included some 331 items. Of the amount disallowed, $7,587.29 was acquiesced in by the defendants, leaving in dispute between the parties the sum of $1,716.28, as previously mentioned; and as we regard the evidence, we believe the master and court were warranted in directing that the Construction Company should receive credit for the entire amount disallowed, viz., $9,303.59, and the Hotel Company be charged therewith. This brings us to a discussion of the first contention under this issue, viz., the right of the Hotel Company to charge the Construction Company with the value of certain fixtures and electrical equipment installed in connection with the operation of the College Inn restaurant under concession “Contract A,” and the cost of the construction of the Terrace Tavern building, tunnel and extra booths.
Before this cause was referred to the master, the chancellor, as already has been stated, passed upon several questions involved in the construction of “Contract A,” one of them being whether or not the bar fixtures, refrigerators, motors, filter, cooking range, and items of like character were a proper charge against the Construction Company. This question involves a construction of section 5 of contract “A,” which section is as follows:
“For the purpose of determining the cost of the buildings, concessionaire to furnish after the completion of the same full statement of cost, together with amounts expended by him for all appurtenances and fixtures of a' permanent character attached to the building, all of which shall be a part of the cost of the building. In determining the cost no account shall be taken of movable fixtures, as tables and chairs, nor of any linen, silver or table or kitchen utensils. ’ ’
Complainant contends that the bar fixtures, refrigerators, motors, belting, cooking range, filters and like items, were not appurtenances or fixtures of a permanent character attached to the building, under the rule of law ordinarily applicable where the relation of landlord and tenant exists, as it did in the case at bar, between the Sherman House Hotel Company and the White City Construction Company, and that to hold otherwise would be in conflict with the established and known principles of construction as between landlord and tenant; that the evidence shows that these items under discussion could easily be removed by the Sherman House Hotel Company; that the Hotel Company exercised ownership over them; and furthermore, that these items were in fact trade fixtures which could not properly be regarded as the property of the Construction Company, the owner of the building. The court, while admitting the existence of the rule of law as contended for by complainant, held that under section 5 of contract “A” “the parties to this contract laid down a rule between themselves which is different from the usual rule,” which is substantially what defendants contended. Under this ruling the following items were charged against the Construction Company as being items which under the terms of said contract were to be treated as equipment or appurtenances or fixtures of a permanent character, attached to said building, and were to be repaid out of commissions under said contract and to be allowed in the accounting:
Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Bar Fixtures, etc.$1,500.00
Walzer Bros., Awnings..................... 139.50
Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Wood finish, etc.. 1,405.00
W. H. Lau, Fixtures & railings.............. 70.00
Western Electric C'o., Ceiling fans........... 9.28
Lynn Filter Co., Filter, tank & piping........ 499.43
F. P. Schmidt Wire & Iron, No bill........... 201.50
Orr & Lockett Hardware Co., Refrigerators.. 2,536.00 Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Additions, etc.,
Buffet......................... 295.00
Crocker-Wheeler Co., 2 H. P. motors......... 76.00
Lyon & Son, Belts...................... 52.50
Crocker-Wheeler Co., 3 motors.............. 270.00
H. Newgaard & Co., Motor Slate.......... 30.00
Electric Manhattan Supply Co., 4 Fans...... 40.00
F. Wolf & Co., Refrigerating plant.......... 3,887.35
C'armichael-Wilks Range Co., Range & fixtures 1,265.87
Samuel Lyon & Son, Beltings............... 6.15
Samuel Lyon & Son, Beltings.............. 8.33
Samuel Lyon & Son, Beltings............... .75
. Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Shelving & brackets ..................................... 40.00
J. W. Reedy Elevator Co., Drum & attaching same................................... 20.00
Cleveland Faucet Co., Bar fittings & connections ................................... 1,274.37
Orr & Lockett Hdw. Co., Elevator to. dairy lunch room............................. 100.00
H. S. Tent & Awning Co., Curtains..........• 57.00
This ruling of the court was followed by the master and the various items were allowed in the final decree as a charge against Construction Company.
Evidently the court construed the following language in section 5: “In determining the cost no account shall be taken of movable fixtures, as tables and chairs, nor of any linen, silver or table or kitchen utensils,” as evidencing the agreement of the parties as to what item constituted movable fixtures in contradistinction of what item should be considered fixtures of a permanent character attached to the building. • However, as we read this section, it does not lay down any rule different from that contended for by complainant. The language just quoted, which the court has construed as laying down a different rule, does not show an intention to ignore the rule of law as applicable to this section. It does state, “movable fixtures, as tables and chairs,” shall not be considered in determining the cost of the building. But this is merely declaratory of what the law is on this subject. We are of the opinion that this section must be interpreted and construed in accordance with the well-accepted rule of law determining whether or not appurtenances and fixtures are of a permanent character attached to the building, namely: Has the tenant the right to their removal or do they become the property of the landlord?
Upon the hearing of this issue before the court, the complainant, who contended for the rule just enunciated, introduced considerable evidence bearing upon the question whether or not the items charged against the Construction Company were of a permanent character as contemplated in section 5 of this contract. Under the ruling of the court below that evidence was immaterial; but in the views expressed by this court, we have reviewed it for the purpose of determining whether all these items or any part thereof should be charged back to the Hotel Company and the Construction Company given credit therefor. After a careful review of the evidence upon this subject, we are of the opinion that the following items, under the rule of law as we think pertains, cannot be considered appurtenances or fixtures of a permanent character attached to the building and were therefore wrongfully charged against the Construction Company:
Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Bar fixtures, etc.. $1,500.00
W. H. Lau, Fixtures & railings............. 70.00
Lynn Filter C'o., Filter, tank & piping........ 499.43
E. P. Schmidt Wire & Iron Co., No bill...... 201.50
Orr & Lockett Hdw. Co., Refrigerators...... 2,536.00
Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Additions, etc., Buffet.................................. 295.00
Carmichael-Wilks Range Co., Range & Fixtures ................................... 1,265.87
Brunswick-Balke-Coll. Co., Shelving & brackets .........................:........... 40.00
Cleveland Faucet Co., Bar fittings & connections ........._.......................... 1,274.37
U. S. Tent & Awning Co., Curtains........... 57.00
In most instances, they are but trade fixtures and are of such character that, even though attached to the building, they remained the property of the lessee herein, the Hotel Company. The remaining items in that account we regard as properly charged to the Construction Company.
That portion of the decree which permitted the entire items herein set.forth to be charged against the Construction Company will therefore be reversed and the court below directed to enter a decree in accordance with the views hereinabove expressed.
Another item that complainant contends was improperly charged in the construction account with the Construction Company was the cost of the Terrace Tavern building, and certain booths other than the four ice cream booths provided for under “Contract B.”
The Terrace Tavern was erected outside of the space set forth in “Contract A,” to be occupied by what was known as the College Inn building. Complainant contends that there was nothing in any of the provisions of “Contract A” which contemplated payment for the construction of any building other than that erected on the space allotted to the Hotel Company in said contract. The evidence shows that Howse and Joseph Beifeld during the first season (1905) met and agreed that it was desirable for the best interests of the enterprise that the Terrace Tavern building be erected. It was located at a considerable distance from the College Inn building. Howse testified that it added to the enjoyment of the people to have a building in this locality, where they could have ice cream and soft drinks served them. Complainant’s contention is based upon the fact that the Hotel Company, in the concession granted under “Contract A,” was confined to the space mentioned in said contract. We do not think it was contemplated that section 2 of this contract should limit the field of operations of the Hotel Company thereunder. Section 1 clearly provides that the right to sell food, drinks, tobacco, etc., should obtain anywhere within the premises occupied by White City. Furthermore, the master found as a fact in the case, to which no exception was taken by complainant, that “in respect to selling of eatables and drinks, in general, at other places than the premises described in Exhibit A, it was proper and advantageous to the Construction Company that such sales should be made.” Furthermore, the evidence shows that the building occupied by every concessionaire was in the first instance constructed at the expense of the Construction Company; the only exception being" the buildings erected by the Hotel Company, which bore the initial expense and then secured payment by crediting the Construction Company with commissions as provided for in the contract.
While no written agreement was made, the evidence shows that Howse and Joseph Beifeld agreed informally that the Hotel Company should construct the Terrace Tavern building. Even if this informal agreement had not been made, we are of the opinion that inasmuch as the Hotel Company did construct the building and it was used for purposes authorized in “Contract A,” in contemplation of that contract, it was to be paid for by the Construction Company. "What we have said here with reference to the Terrace Tavern also applies to the booths which complainant claims were erected and charged to the Construction Company without authority. "We therefore concur in the finding of the master and the court, that the Construction Company was properly charged with the items of the Terrace Tavern building and the booths.
The master disallowed items aggregating $355.92 in the Terrace Tavern bill, which included a $250 charge for a merry-go-round. But as the defendants admitted the impropriety of the latter charge and made no objection to the ruling of the master on the remaining items, they require no further consideration here.
The finding in the decree with reference to the items of the Terrace Tavern building and the extra booths will be affirmed.
The Construction Company was also charged with $3,000 for the building of a tunnel extending from the College Inn building to the band stand. The master found that said tunnel was constructed with the approval of the directors of the Construction Company and that the evidence showed it to be beneficial to the Construction Company by way of expediting the sale of drinks; accordingly the charge was upheld by the master and this finding was approved by the court. What we have said relative to the Terrace Tavern building and the booths applies with equal force here, and the finding in the decree as to the item for the construction of the tunnel is therefore affirmed.
An item of $2,000 for the erection of a band stand was not passed upon by the master because said expenditure occurred after the filing'of the bill, and the master was of the opinion that the matter was not properly before him. However, complainant contends that upon a re-reference to the master, in accordance with the decree, the matter should be inquired into. Tested by the same rule applied by us to the items of the Terrace Tavern, the tunnel and extra booths, we are of the opinion that the item is properly a charge against the White City Construction Company.
The second issue arising out of the contract is that the Hotel Company did not credit the Construction Company with proper commissions on the sale of drinks as provided for in said contract. The first item involved in this issue is the sale of milk at a booth operated by the Hotel Company on the premises of White City, which booth was known' as the Wooden Cow. Milk was sold from this booth by the glass during the seasons of 1906 and 1907. The evidence shows that only on Saturdays and Sundays sandwiches and redhots also were sold from this booth, but that milk was sold every day. Complainant contends that the milk sold from this booth was not a food but a drink. Defendant contends that inasmuch as milk was- sold at the restaurant with meals and no commission was payable thereon under the contract, the Hotel Company was not liable therefor on sales of milk made elsewhere. It was with reference also to this issue that the chancellor, before the matter was referred to the master, was asked, to enunciate a rule governing the construction of “Contract A.”
In support of his contention, complainant refers to the contract itself, section 9 of which provides as follows :
“As compensation, concessionaire agrees to pay to the Company in lieu of all other amounts or charges twenty-five per cent, of the gross receipts from the sales of drinks and ten per cent, of the gross receipts from the sales of cigars, cigarettes and tobaccos, but shall not pay any commission or percentage on the sale or sales of eatables.”
Complainant contends that the word “eatables” is more restrictive than the word “food;” that while the word “milk” is defined by recognized authorities as a food, yet it cannot be considered an “eatable” in the sense used in the contract; moreover, that section 12 of said contract which provides that soft drinks shall be sold and designates soft drinks as being those “other than spirituous and malt liquors,” shows that the word “drinks” as used in section 9 included soft drinks as well as spirituous and malt liquors.
The court held that milk sold in the College Inn building and elsewhere as part of a meal with eatables was not to be considered a drink; but when sold in individual glasses and not with eatables, it was to be considered a drink upon which the Construction Company was entitled to receive and the Hotel Company liable to pay, a commission of twenty-five per cent, on the gross receipts. We think this reasoning is sound; moreover, the evidence shows that outside of Saturdays and Sundays, when redhots and sandwiches were sold from this booth, milk alone was sold there and only by the glass. We hardly think it was within the contemplation of this contract that the Hotel Company could occupy space and buildings erected at the expense of the Construction Company for the sale of articles, unless some compensation were to be paid by way of commission on the sale of the articles. If from the evidence it were possible to determine the number of glasses of milk that were sold in connection with redhots and sandwiches,—i. e. as part of a meal,—the same distinction could be made here as was made with reference to the sale of milk when accompanying food sold in the restaurant proper. The decree with reference to this item will be affirmed, with the direction, however, that if evidence can be adduced to show the number of glasses of milk sold from the Wooden Cow, in connection with redhots or sandwiches, the amount of commission due the Consiruction Company from the sale of milk from the Wooden Cow be reduced accordingly.
Another item in issue under this division is the commission to be charged upon the sale of champagne. Complainant contends that the contract was clear and definite, that twenty-five per cent, be paid on all drinks, including champagne. Such was the ruling of the court on the preliminary hearing, but this issue was referred to the master because of the claim set up by defendant that the contract had been modified so as to reduce the commission on champagne. Considerable evidence was introduced on that point, and the master found that the express terms of the contract controlled unless same had been modified by act of the board of directors, which the master found the evidence failed to show. This finding was concurred in by the court in its final decree.
We have carefully reviewed the evidence offered upon this question, and cannot concur in the conclusion of the master and the court. The evidence of Joseph Beifeld, Frank and Jones clearly showed that there had been an agreement on the part of the directors to modify the contract by reducing the amount of commission on champagne from twenty-five to ten per cent. Joseph Beifeld stated that when said agreement was made, all were present, including Boyce. Jones stated that Boyce was present. Frank, who testified that an agreement had been entered into, stated that he did not remember that Boyce was present, but that all the other directors were there, viz., Jones, Howse and Beifeld. Boyce testified that he did not remember having been present at any meeting when that question was discussed. While it is true that no written or formal agreement was entered into showing the modification of this contract, or that it occurred at a regular meeting of the board of directors, yet the master found that repeatedly prior to the opening of the park, and during the first year, many decisions and agreements were made at informal meetings of. the board of directors held on the grounds of the Construction Company; and the testimony of all save Boyce shows that this agreement was entered into during this period on the White City premises. The master further found that “many changes were made in concessionaires’ contracts and many rejections and allowances were made to them, sometimes by formal action of the board of directors and sometimes without such action.” In view of these findings by the master, we are of the opinion that his finding that there had been no modification of the contract providing for the payment of twenty-five per cent, commission on drinks with reference to the item of champagne vas clearly and manifestly against the weight of the evidence, and that the master should have found that diere was a modification as contended for by the defendants. The decree with reference to this finding is reversed, with directions do enter a finding in accordance with the views herein expressed.
There is also the item of champagne and cigars sold at banquets wherein the same was returned as food. Defendants argue that these banquets were given to public officials and others, and that they were served at a loss to the Hotel Company, and that in view of the advertising advantage accruing to the Construction Company, it was proper for the Hotel Company not to pay commissions o*n wines so served.
The finding of the master was that commissions of twenty-five and ten per cent, be paid on champagne and cigars respectively, at the prevailing prices at which these articles were usually sold. The court in its decree, however, modified the finding of the master, basing the commission not on the - usual customary and retail charge of said goods, but on the actual cost price of the champagne and cigars. No doubt the' court was of the opinion that there was some merit in defendants’ contention. We see no reason to disturb the finding of the court, and concur therein, save that ' only ten per cent, should be charged on champagne, in accordance with the views hereinabove expressed.
We shall now take up the contention of the parties with reference to “Contract B.” On December 10, 1904, the Construction Company entered into a contract with the Hotel Company giving it the right to the exclusive sale of candy, peanuts, popcorn and cracker jack and fruits of all kinds, except that sold through slot machines; and for such concession the Hotel Company agreed to pay the Construction Company a compensation of twenty-five per cent, of the gross receipts derived from the operation or maintenance of said concession. Payment to be made every day, at such place and time as the Construction Company might designate.
Complainant contends, first, that the amount of compensation was inadequate; and, secondly, that the Hotel Company, instead of turning over to the Construction Company in cash the percentage on the sales as called for in the contract, credited the Construction Company therewith.
The master found that twenty-five per cent, of the gross receipts, as provided for in said contract, was a fair and reasonable commission, and in arriving at such conclusion commented upon the evidence of Boyce, a witness who was not friendly to Beifeld, and who stated that no reputable concern would have taken this concession at more than twenty-five per cent. The finding of the master was adopted by the court in its final decree, and we concur therein.
As to the other contention, the master found that the acts of the Hotel Company, in giving credit to the Construction Company for such percentage instead of paying it in cash, were contrary to the express terms of the agreement, and recommended that the Hotel Company be decreed to pay such percentage in cash, with interest thereon at the rate of five per cent, to the Construction Company. The court, however, did not approve this finding and sustained defendants, exceptions thereto, upon the ground that whether the twenty-five per cent, commission was paid in cash or credited on the construction account, it constituted a payment under the terms of the contract. In coming to that conclusion, the court no douht had in mind the fact that no interest was paid by the Construction Company on its indebtedness due the Hotel Company on the construction account, and that in equity the defendants were warranted in applying the commission as it did. We concur in this finding of the decree.
Complainant also contended that a fair and reasonable commission should be paid on ice cream sold by the dish outside of the casino and dairy lunch; also that a reasonable commission should be paid on the sale of ice cream cones, ice cream steins and ice cream sandwiches. Complainant contends that the sale of ice cream in any form, outside of the casino and the dairy lunch—where they constituted part of a meal— was not covered by any, of the provisions in either “Contract A” or “Contract B;” that the Hotel Company had no right to exercise this privilege without paying a fair compensation on the sale of ice cream, outside of the sale of it by the dish in the casino and dairy lunchroom.
The master sustained the contention of the complainant, that it was not a food, but classed ice cream as a confection, and found that twenty-five per cent, would be a fair compensation on all sales thereof. This finding of the master indicates that he considered ice cream sold outside of the casino and dairy lunchroom as being covered by the provisions of “Contract B.” This finding was approved by the court in its decree. As we read “Contract B,” the only section that can possibly cover the sale of ice cream is that relating to the sale of candy. We hardly believe, in the ordinary acceptation of that word today, that ice cream can be considered as candy; and merely designating it as a confection does not change its character. In onr opinion, there is no question that ice cream is a food, whether sold in a restaurant', from a booth, or peddled from a basket, whether in the form of an ice cream stein, cone or sandwich, or by the dish; and moreover, we believe it must be considered a food, even in the restricted sense as used in the contract, namely, an eatable. 'The contract provided that the Hotel Company had the privilege of selling food anywhere upon the premises of White City. That ice cream is a food is not a debatable question, even though it may also be considered a refreshment. In our opinion, the sale of ice cream, either in the form of a dish, ice cream stein, cone or sandwich, whether in the casino, dairy lunchroom or anywhere else on the grounds, was covered by the provisions of “Contract A” giving the Hotel Company the right to sell food anywhere within the premises. Therefore, the finding of the master and the court with reference to this item will be reversed.
Complainant contends that a fair commission should be paid on the revenue derived by the Hotel Company from advertisements printed on menu cards that it used in the College Inn or Casino, and also on musical programs prepared and printed by it for use in the plaza where concerts were given. The master upheld this contention and found that twenty-five per cent, was a reasonable compensation for the privilege, of having advertisements on both its menu cards and musical programs. The court approved this finding only with reference to the advertisements on the musical programs, but held that the right to place advertisements on menu cards was an implied part of the concession for which no commission need be paid. Under the evidence heard by the master on this particular item, we concur in the finding by the court.
Complainant also chárges that the Hotel Company was improperly given the right to use space under the ballroom for dairy luncli purposes. The master found that the use of this space as a lunchroom was a distinct advantage to the White City Construction Company, acquiesced in by the directors, and that the Sherman House Hotel Company was not chargeable for its use. Tliis'finding was approved by the court and we concur therein.
During the years 1905 and 1906, towards the end of the season, the Hotel Company sold confetti. Complainant contends that twenty-five per cent, commission paid on such sales was not sufficient. The master found it was, and said finding was approved by the court and we concur therein.
Several other items upon which no commission was paid or credited, which complainant contends was contrary to the provisions of contracts “A” and “B,” were the sale of water, orangeade, ice cream soda, and sundry confection sales. Upon the hearing, it was admitted by counsel for the defendant that compensation should have been paid and that the failure to do so was inadvertent; and no exception was taken to the master’s finding that a commission was due on these items as provided for under the various contracts.
There were several items charged in the construction account against the Construction Company which defendants admit were erroneous. These were the items for filter and refrigerators, the erroneous charge for the filter being in the sum of $165 and that with reference to the refrigerators being in the sum of $1,787.35. A finding to this effect was made by the master and approved by the court. We concur in said finding. However, in view of our previous holding as to what constitutes fixtures and appurtenances permanently attached, not only should the Construction Company be allowed a credit of $165 on the filter, hut for the entire amount thereof, viz., $499.43. Our previous holding, however, does hot affect the amount found by the master with reference to the item of refrigerators.
Another item which complainant claimed was unjustly charged to the Construction Company was that for painting tables and chairs, and an item of $40.95 for moneys paid by the Hotel Company to its patrons for damage to clothing caused by soft paint on these chairs and tables. Defendant conceded this amount was an improper charge, and the master found it so. No exception was taken to the finding, which finding was approved by the court in its decree.
On the item of cash registers, wherein the court’s finding was at variance with that of the master, in view of the evidence in the case, we concur in the finding of the court.
The finding of the master with reference to the “alteration account,” which was approved by the court, is not complained of by defendants; in fact, on the hearing, before the matter was referred to the master, defendants stipulated that such matters were not chargeable against the Construction Company, but constituted an obligation for which the Hotel Company was responsible.
The contentions thus far passed upon arose out of the construction and interpretation of contracts “A” and “B,” and the acts of the defendants relative thereto. Independently of these two contracts, various controversies have arisen.
The first item to be considered is the interest on Joseph Beifeld’s salary. Mr. Beifeld, as president of the Construction Company, was voted a salary, for the year 1906, to be paid if desired, in monthly instalments. His salary, however, was not drawn until November 1, 1907. On October 2nd of that year, Joseph Beifeld directed Jones to draw a check for $550, being the interest at six per cent, on $10,000 for eleven months, namely, from November 1, 1906. This sum was paid to Joseph Beifeld and the Construction Company charged with said amount. The master found that no contract had been entered into for the payment of interest and that the action of the directors upon same was unwarranted and illegal. The master found that said sum of $550 should be returned to the Construction Company, with interest at five per cent, from October 2, 1907. The court concurred in this finding. There is no proof in the evidence that the Construction Company requested Joseph Beifeld not to draw his salary. Mr. Beifeld maintained that by not drawing his salary the Construction Company was enabled to retire more of its bonds. However that may be, the act of Beifeld was purely voluntary and did not create any obligation on the part of the Construction Company. The finding in the decree on this item will be affirmed.
Pursuant to a resolution passed by the board of directors of the Construction Company, the Hotel Company was voted a rebate of $2,000 oil its electric light bill. The master and the court found that such rebate was unwarranted, and disallowed the item. While the defendants predicate this rebate upon the fact that the light of the College Inn building helped illuminate the White City grounds, such argument does not commend itself to the judgment of this court. As observed by the master, if such position were tenable, there is no reason why other concessionaires should not be granted a similar rebate. The court properly found against the defendants on this item,- and we concur therein.
Thus far we have disposed of most of the questions in dispute. The determination of the various contentions already enumerated involved a. study and a review of the evidence which complainant offered not only in support of the contentions already disposed of, but in support of his right to maintain the bill, and the evidence offered by defendant in denying not only the individual claims, but the right of the complainant to maintain the bill. The master found, and the court approved said finding, ¡that the complainant was entitled to maintain his bill of complaint. While he found as a fact that no organized conspiracy existed to defraud the Construction Company or to take advantage of it in any way, he further found that the acts of Joseph Beifeld or his employees and the officers of the Hotel Company, with reference to ‘ ‘ Contract “A” and “B,” were unfair to and resulted in.financial loss to the Construction Company, and that for such matters there should be an accounting.
The master found that mistakes had been made in the accounting between the Construction Company and the Hotel Company, in some instances without the knowledge of Joseph Beifeld; that in many, instances improper charges had been made against the Construction Company or that it had not been paid commissions to which it was entitled, or that it had paid out money on obligations for which it was not liable, to Joseph Beifeld or the Hotel Company upon the order of Joseph Beifeld or with his knowledge; and further, that even though Joseph Beifeld considered his acts in that regard justified, yet as a matter of law he was not justified and that the same thereby constituted a breach of trust. Necessarily, in view of our holding on the respective items brought in issue on this contract, we must concur in these findings of the master. In doing so, however, we are thoroughly impressed with the fact that there was no organized conspiracy as charged, and moreover, that where mistakes and improper charges were made, they were not actuated by any fraudulent or wrongful purpose, but that Mr. Beifeld, in the acts which led to mistakes which brought on this litigation, acted in good faith and in the sincere conviction that he was justified in so doing. The various admissions of the defendants in this case show that certain charges were made against the Construction Company improperly and that thereby money and property were wrongfully diverted. While the master has found with reference to some of these charges that they were made without the knowledge of Joseph Beifeld, yet the evidence shows that the information leading to the discovery of these mistakes might not have been forthcoming, save for the proceedings herein. The evidence further shows that with reference to several of the items in dispute here and which we have determined in favor of the contention of the complainants, Mr. Beifeld took a determined position to the contrary. There is no question but that the charges of the various items such as bar fixtures, cooking apparatus, filter and items of similar character, against the Construction Company under “Contract A,” were made by the authority of Joseph Beifeld and the directors of the Construction Company other than Boyce and the complainant; that by the direction of Joseph Beifeld, no commission was paid upon the sale of milk by the glass and upon wines served at certain banquets, which action was acquiesced in by a majority of the directors of the Construction Company. Beifeld’s position was, without question, taken in good faith. But the law is well settled that where an officer or directors of a corporation permit funds thereof to be diverted, even though such action be taken in good faith, the jurisdiction of a court of chancery may be invoked by a stockholder against the corporation and its directors to secure a proper application of such funds or property. The element of fraud need not accompany such act before the jurisdiction of a court of chancery attaches, and the decree of the court which gives redress to secure such relief is not an interference with the internal management óf a corporation.
In the case of Green v. Hedenberg, 159 Ill. 489, our Supreme Court says (p. 493):
“'It is well settled in this State, that where the officers of a corporation wrongfully deal with its property to the injury of stockholders, the latter may maintain a bill against the company and its officers for relief against such misappropriation.”
No distinction is made whether such misappropriation is the result of acts founded on bad faith or the result of a sincere belief that such action was justified. The same principle is adhered to in Voorhees v. Mason, 245 Ill. 256. In the latter case the right of a stockholder to maintain an action was upheld even though the corporation, the acts of whose directors were subject to inquiry, was a foreign corporation. The following language is applicable to the case at bar (p. 267):
“In Beale on Foreign Corporations (sec. 309) it is said: ‘Where proceedings are instituted against officers of a corporation for an accounting and a restoration of property wrongly abstracted by them from the corporation, a bill may be brought in any jurisdiction where the officers are found. * * * The right of the plaintiffs, as stockholders, to compel a restoration by the officers to the corporation is a co-extensive with the right of the corporation itself. Surely the corporation would not be confined to the courts of the State which created it, but could pursue its officers in whatever jurisdiction it might find them, otherwise it would be remediless if those officers remained without the State. ’ We think, therefore, the fact that the corporation was organized in the State of Delaware and that it may be necessary to interpret and apply the laws of that State is no ground for refusing to entertain jurisdiction where the offending parties reside in this State and the suit is brought in the name of a stockholder, for and on behalf of the corporation. Mandel v. Swan Land Co., 154 Ill. 177; Bell v. Farwell, 176 id. 489; Beale on Foreign Corporations, sec. 309.”
We are, therefore, of the opinion that under the facts and circumstances in evidence, the jurisdiction of a court of equity was properly invoked.
Defendants further contend, however, that the jurisdiction of a court of chancery cannot lie properly invoked unless a demand has been made upon the officers and directors of said corporation to take such action as is necessary to restore to the company money or property wrongfully diverted to the prejudice of the corporation and its stockholders. Defendants admit, however, that where the evidence shows that such a demand would be futile, the making- thereof is not a necessary condition precedent. The master held in this case, that Joseph Beifeld, by reason of his ownership of a majority of the stock in the White City Construction Company, was enabled to and did control the election of its directors. He further found that where a difference of opinion arose with reference to matters here involved, the majority of the directors adopted the views expressed and the acts suggested by Joseph Beifeld; in fact, that Joseph Beifeld’s construction and interpretation of contracts “A” and “B” prevailed. These findings were approved by the court in its decree, and we are of the opinion that the evidence in the record sustains such finding.
Without impugning the good faith of Joseph Beifeld, but, on the contrary, being of the opinion that he was convinced that he was at all times acting in good faith, it is fair to presume that he did insist upon his acts being approved by the board of directors and did use all his influence in bringing about such approval, and that a request from complainant to take such action as would bring into question the good faith and propriety of the acts of Joseph Beifeld would not have met with a favorable response on the part of the officers and directors of the White City Construction Company. Moreover, if such request had been granted, there is no question that if litigation had followed, it would necessarily have been under the direction of the board of directors, which was favorably inclined to Joseph Beifeld.
In the case of Appleton v. American Malting Co., 65 N. J. Eq. 375, also a suit by a stockholder against the corporation and its directors to secure relief, the court says (p. 377) :
“The statement that a majority of the present board of directors were, and are, among the persons against whom relief is sought by the bill, discloses a situation which relieved the complainants from the duty of applying to them to bring suit in the name of the corporation. It is settled in this state, that such application need not be made when the interest, or bias, of the directors makes it certain that, if it was made, it would be denied; or, if granted, that the litigation following would necessarily be under the direction of persons opposed to its success.” (Citing eases.)
So in the case at bar, we believe that the facts and circumstances in evidence disclose a situation which relieved complainant from the necessity of making a demand.
In the case of Green v. Hedenberg, supra, the court stated that while the rule in chancery is that before bringing a bill of like character as the bill of complaint herein, a demand must have been made of the proper officers to bring the action, yet where there is a reasonable certainty that such demand would be unavailing, it need not be made. We believe that in the ease at bar there was a reasonable certainty that such demand would have been unavailing.
In the case of Delaware & H. Co. v. Albany & S. R. Co., 213 U. S. 435, a similar contention was in controversy by reason of Buie 94 of the United States court of equity rules. That part of Buie 94, the application of which was invoked by the parties corresponding to the defendants in the case at bar, was as follows:
“It (meaning the bill of complaint) must also set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure such action as he desires on the part of the managing directors or trustees, and, if necessary, Nof the shareholders, and the causes of his failure to obtain such action.”
In passing upon the questions propounded to it un~ der the facts in controversy, Mr. Justice McKenna, speaking on behalf of the court, says (p. 451):
“It was certainly natural enough tli&t a stockholder should seek more earnest representatives, and consider that the directors ‘ occupied, ’ to use the language of Dodge v. Woolsey [18 How. 331], ‘antagonistic grounds in respect to the controversy’ as to him. The. attitude of the directors need not be sinister. It may be sincere.”
While the facts in that case were different from those in the case at bar, yet, in our opinion, the principle announced is equally applicable thereto. We are, therefore, of the opinion that under the facts and circumstances in evidence in the case at" bar, no demand was necessary as a condition precedent to entitle complainant to maintain his bill. The finding in the decree, therefore, that the complainant was entitled to maintain his bill will be affirmed. In arriving at this conclusion, we have carefully considered the authorities cited by defendants and do not find them inconsistent with the views herein expressed.
The court found that in the investigation of matters complained of in the bill and on which an accounting was ordered, and in the complainant’s procuring details and data of the various transactions involved upon which an accounting herein was ordered, and in the prosecution of this suit, complainant was compelled to and did expend and incurred liabilities for the payment of large sums of money; that as part of said expenditures, and liabilities, complainant has been compelled to and has paid out and become liable to pay out large sums of money to expert accountants, stenographers, attorneys, and that this was for necessary and proper services in and about said investigation and prosecution of this suit; further, that in equity said expenditures and liabilities of the complainant should be and are a first lien and a proper charge to be allowed and paid to the complainant out of funds which may be saved to or recovered for the said Construction Company by reason of said investigation and prosecution of this suit, which last mentioned funds the court; finds are trust funds. And the court ordered and adjudged that said expenditures and liabilities, not including the court costs taxed in the decree, be a first lien upon any and all moneys recoverable by these proceedings; further, that the master take evidence and report same with his conclusions upon the law and evidence, as to the amount of said last mentioned expenditures and liabilities of complainant, including evidence upon the question of what services have been rendered herein by complainant’s attorneys and what are and will be reasonable attorneys’ fees to be allowed to complainant in the premises on account of services herein by complainant’s attorneys. This finding and order in the decree are clearly improper and without authority, and such finding and order in the decree will be reversed.'
The Chicago Fire Exhibition Company, while praying an appeal, did not perfect same; accordingly, the finding in the decree against the Chicago Fire Exhibition Company will be affirmed.
In all respects, otherwise than indicated in the course of this opinion, the decree is supported by the evidence. In view, however, of certain findings made by us, the decree will be reversed and the cause remanded with directions for further proceedings in accordance with our findings made in this opinion.
Therefore the decree of the Circuit Court will be affirmed in part and reversed in part and the cause remanded with directions to the chancellor to enter a decree in accordance with the findings announced in this opinion.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded with directions.
ADDITIONAL OPINION FILED ON PETITION FOB REHEARING-.
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