Root Mfg. Co. v. Johnson

219 F. 397, 135 C.C.A. 139, 1914 U.S. App. LEXIS 1663

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• Decided: October 6, 1914
• Docket: No. 2097
• Status: Published

Opinion

SEAMAN, Circuit Judge

(after stating the facts as above). [1 '• The judgment against the plaintiff in error rests entirely on the proposition, that the payment of $6,447.67, accepted by it in settlement of its claim of lien, constitutes a preferential payment obtained from the bankrupt in violation of section 60 of the Bankruptcy Act. It was received by the claimant within four months prior to the proceedings in bankruptcy against the debtor (Warren Construction Company) and with knowledge of the fact of the bankrupt’s insolvency, so that the plaintiff in error cannot escape liability therefor to the trustee as adjudged — notwithstanding the undisputed bona fides of the transaction otherwise — if the nature and circumstances of the claim and) settlement thus made do not exclude the transaction from the well-defined meaning of the provision referred to. On the other hand, it is unquestionable that the statute does not denounce-as preferential all payments so obtained by a creditor within the four-months period; that payment may lawfully be accepted for discharge of a valid lien, either legal or equitable; that payments or benefits obtained in various other transactions, as exemplified in recent decisions (Western Tie & Timber Co. v. Brown, 196 U. S. 502, 25 Sup. Ct. 339, 49 L. Ed. 571; Newport Bank v. Herkimer Bank, 225 U. S. 178, 32 Sup. Ct. 633, 56 L. Ed. 1042; Continental Trust Co. v. Chicago T. & T. Co., 229 U. S. 435, 33 Sup. Ct. 829, 57 L. Ed. 1268), are not within the meaning of the statute; and that a transaction is not an unlawful preference (Id.) unless “the estate of the bankrupt was thereby diminished.” While payment of such exceptional claims is preferential in the sense of receiving a benefit not authorized in favor of general creditors (not “of the same class”), it is not an unlawful preference. So the facts in evidence must establish a case clearly within the narrow range of these exceptions to defeat recovery.

[2] In the “special findings of fact” filed below the evidential facts (all undisputed) are set forth at considerable length, and they are epitomized in the foregoing statement, together with copies of the two agreements (of January 12 and April 10, 1912) on which the controversy hinges, mainly, if not entirely. Mention, therefore, of these contract relations and pertinent circumstances will suffice for understanding of the ultimate issue as presented: In 1910 the Warren Construction Company (bankrupt) entered into a contract with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company to construct buildings and works, at times and prices fixed, aggregating about $300,000; and bonds were executed by National Surety Company and Bankers’ Surety Company, as sureties, for performance of the work and covenants. For carrying out this work the contractor sublet various portions to numerous subcontractors; and the plaintiff ini error was one of the subcontractors, under'two contracts, amounting to $5,400 and $24,100, respectively, each containing a provision for waiver of liens for the work. During operations under the general contract in 1911, difficulties and delays arose, resulting in dissatisfaction both of the Railway Company and various subcontractors, filing of suits and liens by the latter, and disagreement between the Railway Company and its contractor over liabilities. The plaintiff in error had notified the Railway Company of nonpayment by the contractor for work performed under its subcontract, and completed its work under promises on the part of the Railway Company “to see that it was paid.” On November 25, 1911, the plaintiff in error had completed its subcontract, and $12,895.34 thereof was unpaid and undisputed; and it then filed and recorded its claim for a mechanic’s lien against the property of the Railway Company in conformity with the Indiana statute. In December, 1911, meetings were held attended by representatives of the Railway Company, the bankrupt, and both surety companies, and by various subcontractors, inclusive of the plaintiff in error, for settlement of differences between the parties, resulting in an undisputed written agreement, dated January 12, 1912, and executed by (a) the Railway Company, (b) the bankrupt, and (c) both surety companies. This agreement was completed and the entire fund thereby provided for payment of claims was deposited more than six months prior to the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings. Settlement of the claim of plaintiff in error for payment out of such funds was concluded April 10, 1912, under the further agreement of that date,, signed by all parties to the agreement of January 12, together with the plaintiff in error, and it thus falls within the inhibited four-months period, if the statute is applicable to such payment.

One of the contentions for reversal is that the plaintiff in error had a valid and enforceable mechanic’s lien for this unpaid claim, notwithstanding its so-called waiver thereof, and much of the argument on this appeal is directed for and against the dual propositions on which it rests, namely: (a) That the stipulation of waiver is not an independent one, but dependent on the ensuing stipulation for final payment to be made “within forty days after the contract is fulfilled”; and (b) that such waiver in an executory contract of the lien provided by the Indiana statute “is contrary to public policy and void.” We have not been impressed with either of these theories as tenable, either on the oral argument or upon examination of the authorities cited in the briefs, and they appear to be met and overruled by ‘a decision of the Appellate Court of Indiana (since the hearing of this appeal, called to attention by supplemental brief) in the suit of Carson-Payson Co. v. C., C., C. & St. L. Ry. Co. — for enforcement of the statutory lien by one of the above-mentioned, subcontractors, under an analogous stipulation of waiver — reported 105 N. E. 503. Proceeding, therefore, on the assumption that the lien filed by the plaintiff in error on November 25, 1911, was not enforceable at law, in a suit founded alone on the contract for the work, the issue is limited to the force and effect of the above-mentioned agreement of January 12th and the segregation of fund thereby provided to entitle the plaintiff in error to receive payment of its claim thereunder, irrespective of bankruptcy proceedings against the debtor.

The agreement thus relied upon (in connection with the undisputed facts in reference to the claim) to render the payment lawful is entirely free from doubt as to its bona fides and purposes. It plainly provides a fund which was completely segregated from the estate of the bankrupt so long as any claim within its purview remained unsettled. It is free from ambiguity in any of its terms, except as to the meaning with which the term “lienable claims” was used .therein. It was executed by both parties to the primary contract for the work and by both sureties for its performance by the contractor (bankrupt), and it expressly recites: An existing controversy between the Railway Company and the contractor in reference to performance and liabilities thereunder, to be adjusted; that various liens had been filed by parties who had furnished labor and materials, wherein suits were threatened and attachments had been brought to reach ambunts due from the Railway Company; that “the amount of said lienable claims exceeds the amount hereinafter conceded” to be due tile contractor, and the Railway Company asserts claim against the sureties for any amount it is required “to pay on account of lienable claims” in excess thereof; and that all parties “desire to provide funds necessary to take care of such claims as may be lienable against the property” of the Railway Company “to the end that costs and expenses of litigation may be avoided and said claims adjusted.” The contract then provides, in substance: (1) The Railway Company accepts the buildings in their present condition “as having been completely constructed according to said contract, except that work being performed' by subcontractors shall be fully completed.” (2) The Railway Company cancels its several claims (as mentioned) for breach of the contract; and it agrees to pay and the Construction Company agrees to accept $42,000 in satisfaction of all claims thereunder. (3) This payment, together with $20,000 furnished by the surety companies, making $62,000, is to' be deposited in a bank (specified) “in the names of” Willson and Littleton “as trustees for the parties hereto,” and “used in paying lienable claims” which have been or may be filed against the Railway Company, but “no claims, except judgments, shall be paid out of said fund, except upon approval of the Railway Company, the surety companies, and the Construction Company”; and “lienable claims” shall include all costs adjudged against the Railway Company in suits, and the surety companies “shall bear the burden and expense of litigating any claims asserted to be lienable” and shall furnish any additional sums if the above fund proves insufficient. (4) If any balance of the fund remains “after all lienable claims are paid,” the Surety Companies are to be reimbursed therefrom for their contributions, and any remainder is “to be paid to the Construction Company.” Succeeding provisions do not bear upon the present inquiry, except that one (8) may be mentioned as requiring the “trustees” to “render each of the parties hereto an itemized statement showing the disposition of such trust fund,” and to serve “without compensation other than such as may be paid them by the parties they respectively represent.” The evidence shows that Littleton represented the Railway Company, and Willson the surety companies, as their respective attorneys in the settlement.

We are of opinion that these recitals and provisions clearly establish the purposes of the fund thereby created to be r First, to protect the Railway Company, in consideration of its paying in $42,000 (when it was questionable whether even half that sum was due the contractor), against all lien claims (then estimated in excess of $60,000) and litigation thereof, so that it was to be free from further liability;, second, to protect the surety companies from their ultimate liability for the expenses and delay of litigation over the claims, in consideration of their contribution to the fund, by providing (in lieu of a judgment) for their settlement out of the fund on joint approval of the parties; third, to assure the lien claimants (who participated in the negotiations, but are mentioned only as a class), as the ultimate beneficiaries, of such dedication of the fund so set apart for settlement' of their claims without litigation, on approval thereof. The bona fide provisions and purposes so described, not only constitute an equitable arrangement for all interests therein, but, thus made more than four months prior to the bankruptcy proceedings, are immune from the statute. Its purpose to provide for settlement of “liens and claims on account of labor and materials furnished on said buildings” for which lien claims had been filed is expressly mentioned, so that it is not open to .question, as we believe, that the plaintiff in error, having long theretofore filed his lien claim, is clearly identified as a beneficiary for settlement out of the fund whenever his claim is either adjudicated or approved by the parties; and this view arises irrespective of the equities presented both in its favor and in favor of the Railway Company, under the facts (stated in the findings) of its completion of the work after payment therefor had been assured on behalf of the Railway Company. Furthermore, the contention in support of the judgment, that the term “lienable claims,” as used in the agreement, is to be construed as excluding any claim not legally enforceable as a lien against the property, impresses us to be inconsistent, both with the provisions as an entirety and with the. undisputed testimony as to the negotiations leading up to the agreement that the parties “considered all claims” lienable “which were legitimate claims for labor and material”.; and no discussion or suggestion arose whether any of the numerous claims represented at the meetings were or were not enforceable as valid liens. Indeed, the agreement to avoid litigation and substitute approval by the parties in lieu of adjudication is strongly persuasive that-all just claims for labor and materials were embraced in the provision.

The fund of $62,000 thus provided must be treated as an. entirety for carrying out its- purpose's. While it refers to Willson and Little^ ton as trustees thereunder, they are in truth mere custodians of the fund, without discretion or authority to pay any claims not in judgment, unless approved by all of the contracting parties. It is plainly made a trust fund, entirely segregated from the estate of the bankrupt, which requires complete administration by the parties to perform its purposes. In effect, therefore, the parties have charged themselves with that power and duty, through the requirement that they shall severally ascertain and approve the claims to be paid. Thus performance of that function becomes the act of each as representative or trustee of the trust fund and not on his personal behalf, so that the mere fact that the bankrupt joined with his cotrustees in approval (within the four months period) of the subsequent settlement of the claim in suit, is without force to invalidate the settlement. This distinction of duality, between the action of one in his capacity as trustee or representative of a fund and his action merely personal fas bankrupt), is aptly pointed out in Clarke v. Rogers, 228 U. S. 534, 544, 33 Sup. Ct. 587, 57 L. Ed. 953, and cases cited. The settlement so made, within the terms of the contract and in good faith, for payment out of the trust fund, binds all parties and we do not understand that payment thereupon is open to question on the part of the trustee in bankruptcy. In that aspect of the case, the payment in suit is exclusively attributable to this fund, so that the payment not only caused no depletion of the bankrupt’s estate, but tended in fact to augment it to the extent of the reduction of 50 per cent, exacted for the settlement; and the assignment of error for that cause may rightly be sustained on the pertinent authority of Continental Trust Co. v. Chicago T. & T. Co., supra, and cases cited. The above-mentioned clause as to disposition of any remainder of the fund after payment of all claims — that the surety companies are to be reimbursed for their contribution and if any balance remain it is to be paid to the bankrupt — although evidently inserted as a formality in reference to the bankrupt when the claims appeared to be in excess of $60,000, plainly entitles the estate to be paid any balance which so remains out of the sums paid in by the Railway Company. The evidence shows: That all claims have been settled and paid except one, which is in litigation in the state courts; that most (if not all) of them were settled at considerable discounts, making an aggregate of about $35,000 disbursed, and that, laying aside the $20,000 (unused) contributed by the surety companies, $7,572.12 remains in the fund unexpended; that the outstanding claim (in litigation) is that of Carson Payson Company of $16,202.95, for which the claimant elected to proceed for enforcement of an alleged mechanic’s Ken, instead of accepting settlement out of the fund — presumably the above-mentioned case wherein such enforcement has been denied on appeal from like denial below.

[3] We are of opinion, however, that the judgment is likewise erroneous upon another ground (not called to attention in the arguments), based on the effect of the agreement of January 12th, in connection with the findings of fact proving the equities of the claim presented by the plaintiff in error. Its subcontract contained a clause which made it questionable, to say the least, whether performance of the work would entitle it to the security of a mechanic’s lien for payment; and when the difficulties arose on the part of the Contractor for meeting payments, the plaintiff in error refused to proceed with its work until expressly assured by the Railway Company that its claim would be provided for. Relying on such promise, the work was carried on and completed, and the lien claim was duly filed, evidently as a precautionary measure to preserve all rights. The plaintiff in error participated in the December meetings to arrange for settlement of the claims, was advised of the ensuing agreement and its provisions therefor, and rested in reliance upon it for payment of its claim without suit. We understand the agreement thus concluded to create an equitable lien upon the entire fund, enforceable alike,'either for protection of the Railway Company under its special promise referred to, or in favor of the plaintiff in error as a beneficiary thereof — identified as such by the express reference above mentioned to lien claims filed, if not otherwise sufficiently identified as of the class referred to as having “lienable claims” — clearly within the well-settled definition of equitable liens, which are uniformly upheld when good faith appears, both as against a holder who is not a purchaser for value and against trustees in bankruptcy. Walker v. Brown, 165 U. S. 654, 17 Sup. Ct. 453, 41 L. Ed. 865; Sexton v. Kessler, 225 U. S. 90, 32 Sup. Ct. 657, 56 L. Ed. 995; Van Iderstine v. Nat. Discount Co., 227 U. S. 575, 33 Sup. Ct. 343, 57 L. Ed. 652; Greey v. Dockendorff, 231 U. S. 513, 34 Sup. Ct. 166, 58 L. Ed. 339; and by this court in McDonald v. Daskam, 116 Fed. 276, 53 C. C. A. 554.

[4] This doctrine of equitable liens is fundamental in equity whenever the intention, bona fides, identity, and segregation appear, without perfection as a common-law pledge by actual possession in the pledgee; and Walker v. Brown, supra, is an instructive case for its definition and application. It defines the rule to be (in substance) that an express executory agreement in writing, whereby specific property or a fund is clearly identified to constitute security for a debt or other obligation, creates an equitable lien upon the property or fund, enforceable whether the property is in the hands of the-' promisor, or of third parties not bona fide purchasers for value; and it approves the rule under these circumstances: Brown had delivered to Rloyd Mercantile Company, for assisting its credit, municipal bonds amounting to $15,000, which remained so placed after reorganization of the company, when the new company requested a line of credit with Walker & Co., on the strength of such holding, for large purchases of goods. Such credit was not extended, however, until after Brown had agreed in writing, that the bonds should so remain in the hands of the debtor “as long as there remained any debt due-to Walker & Co.” Subsequently, without the creditor’s knowledge, Brown obtained return of the bonds to him, when the debtor was in truth insolvent and indebted to Walker & Co. in a large amount; and. later Brown transferred the bonds to his wife as a gift. An equitable lien was upheld making the.bonds chargeable as security for the indebtedness to Walker & Co.

In the recent case of Sexton v. Kessler, supra, the ruling in support of an equitable lien is even more notable in the circumstances of the debtor’s possession of the securities. It arose in a suit by the. trustee in bankruptcy to set aside the bankrupt’s transfer oí securities to a creditor, made within less than a month of bankruptcy proceedings and with knowledge on the part of the creditor of the insolvency. The bankrupt was a New York firm and the creditor an English corporation, and they had long been engaged in a course of business, whereby the latter made advances to the former under a so-called “drawing credit.” As security for the advances, it was the express agreement and constant practice for the New York firm to set aside negotiable securities, purchased in their own business, which were placed in a package “upon a separate shelf of the New York firm’s vault,” and marked as “Escrow for Account” of the English Company, “intended as a protection against our long drawings against your good selves”; and during recent years the agreement and practice included periodical certificates made by the debtor and sent to the creditor, naming the securities so held by the former. The agreement further provided that the New York firm were at liberty to withdraw any of the securities so held “and replace them by others of equal value,” and such changes were frequently made by the New York firm throughout the course of their dealings, which were continuous for several years, up to the moment when the New York firm, became insolvent and so notified a representative of the English corporation. The package of securities then held as above described were immediately delivered to such representative. While the good faith of the transactions was challenged by the trustee in bankruptcy, the opinion overrules both that objection and the contention of unlawful preference, and rules (in effect) that the arrangement conferred and preserved an equitable lien upon the securities so held and transferred, so that their surrender was not preferential. ’

In Van Iderstine v. Nat. Discount Co., supra, and Greey v. Dockendorff, supra, assignments of book accounts as security for advances are upheld as conferring equitable liens, good faith appearing; and the objection raised “that this lien was secret” is overruled as without force. In McDonald v. Daskam, supra, an equitable lien is recognized and enforced in favor of a creditor and against a trustee in bankruptcy, through notations on fire insurance policies left in the hands of the insurer’s agent.

We believe the findings of fact clearly authorize our above stated conclusions of law, and thus establish the right of the plaintiff in error to retain the payment made to it out of the fund described.

The judgment is therefore reversed, and the cause remanded to the District Court, with direction to enter judgment thereupon in favor of the defendant below.