United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Western Iron Stores Co.

220 N.W. 192, 196 Wis. 339, 59 A.L.R. 1232, 1928 Wisc. LEXIS 251
CourtWisconsin Supreme Court
DecidedJune 18, 1928
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 220 N.W. 192 (United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Western Iron Stores Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Wisconsin Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Western Iron Stores Co., 220 N.W. 192, 196 Wis. 339, 59 A.L.R. 1232, 1928 Wisc. LEXIS 251 (Wis. 1928).

Opinion

Rosenberry, J.

The complaint alleges: . “Fourth. That on or about the 12th day of May, 1922, an agent of the defendant called at the office of the Galloway [340]*340West Company in the city of Fond du Lac, and solicited that the Galloway West Company buy from the defendant certain chain, well knowing that the Galloway West Company in and about its usual business was engaged in the lifting and transportation of heavy machinery, and required for that purpose steel chain of such strength as to safely lift and convey said machinery without danger of injury to its employees.

“Fifth. That plaintiff further alleges that it is well known to the defendant and others engaged in the selling of iron stores,, that chains of certain dimensions have certain tensile strengths, which strengths vary according to the dimension and description of the chain. That on or about the 12th day of May, 1922, said representative of the defendant and the purchasing agent of the Galloway West Company well knew that Y% inch steel loading chain, sometimes described as Yz inch straight link chain, had a proof test of 4,900 pounds, and a safe working load of 2,450 pounds.
“Sixth. That the representative of the defendant, knowing of the business in which the Galloway West Company was engaged, and knowing that the Galloway West Company desired to purchase chain to be used for the lifting and hoisting of heavy machinery, sold and delivered to the Galloway West Company on or about the 12th day of May, 1922, 100 feet of Y inch steel loading chain, otherwise described as inch common straight link chain, well knowing that the Galloway West Company relied upon the usage in the trade that such chain as manufactured and sold would have the same strength as all other % inch link common chain, to wit: the safe working strength of 2,450 pounds. And the defendant then and there warranted the chain as ordered, to be standard Y inch straight link common chain, in all respects fit and proper for such use, and of merchantable quality, with a safe working load of 2,450 pounds; and the Galloway West Company paid the defendant therefor the agreed price for Y inch steel loading chain, otherwise described as straight link common chain, having a sáfe working load of 2,450 pounds.”

Upon the trial the following stipulation was entered into:

“That there were no representations or agreements made in writing between the parties as to the transaction described [341]*341in the complaint, except a certain order, copy of which is hereby attached, and which is hereby made part of the complaint.”

The order was as follows:

Galloway West Co., Fond du Lac, Wis.
Purchase Order No. 674.
Date, May 12, 1922.
Western Iron Stores,
You will please furnish us the following materials, shipment to be made as stated below:
lqíjt 1/4 cut washers 100 ft. 3/8" st link- chain
2# 5/16 “ 100 ft. 1/4" st link chain
3# 2/8" “ 6-3" ring hooks
5# 1/2" “ 6-3" grab “
5# 5/8 “ 1 length each 1/4 — 5/16
3/8-7/16-1/2-9/16
5/8-11/16-3/4-13/16
1 Large frame only 7/8-1-1 1/16-1 1/8-
24" for 1-15/16 1 3/16-1 1/4-15/16-1
shaft. 1/2-1 15/16
Wanted-
Ship via-
Soo Frt at once.
Galloway West Co. Jos
Dept. By D. C. West.

There is language in the sixth paragraph of the complaint which, if liberally and broadly construed, might be interpreted as alleging an express warranty. It is quite apparent, however, that although the stipulation does not in terms say that there was no express oral warranty, it was so interpreted by counsel and the trial court. The case is argued and presented here upon that basis and we shall so treat it. The Galloway West Company ordered from the defendant the goods mentioned in Exhibit 1, the goods were shipped and put into use by the Galloway West Company, and the question is, Was there an implied warranty that the specific goods delivered had the standard qualities which it was [342]*342generally assumed in the trade that goods of that description ordinarily have?

A determination of the question raised involves the interpretation of sec. 121.15, Stats., the Uniform Sales Act.

“Subject to the provisions of this act, and of any statute in that behalf, there is no implied warranty or condition as to the quality or fitness for any particular purpose of goods. supplied under a contract to sell, or a sale, except as follows:
“ (1) Where the buyer, expressly or by implication, makes known to the seller the particular purpose for which the goods are required, and it appears that the buyer relies on the seller’s skill or judgment (whether he be the grower or manufacturer, or not), there is an implied warranty that the goods shall be reasonably fit for such purpose.
“(2) Where the goods are bought by the description from a seller who deals in goods of that description (whether he be the grower or manufacturer, or not), there is an implied warranty that the goods shall be of merchantable quality. . . .
“(5) An implied warranty or condition as to quality or fitness for a particular purpose may be annexed by the usage of trade.”

It appears that the chain was purchased on May 12, 1922, and the defect was discovered by the breaking of the chain in January, 1925. As a result of the breaking of the chain the Galloway West Company was obliged to pay an employee $5,800 under the workmen’s compensation act. The plaintiff paid this amount as insurer and thereby became subrogated to the rights of the Galloway West Company. The allegations of the complaint with respect to the claimed defect are as follows:

“That the Galloway West Company relied upon said warranty, and attempted to use said chain for the purpose of lifting a steel pasteurizer tank, weighing approximately 1,600 pounds, the chain then being in the same condition as it was at the time of its delivery by the defendant, but that the chain proved unsound by reason of a defective link, which link broke and permitted the steel pasteurizer to fall [343]*343upon and kill one Edward Hamberger, an employee of the Galloway West Company,” etc.

The complaint is very carefully and skilfully drawn and many interesting questions are suggested. We shall only consider those necessary to a disposition of the case.

The fifth paragraph of the complaint alleges in effect that the Galloway West Company knew as well as did the defendant the qualities of the inch straight link chain ordered. It is apparently an article of merchandise bought and sold in the trade and may «be used for any purpose for which a chain of that size is adapted.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Torpey v. Red Owl Stores, Inc.
129 F. Supp. 404 (D. Minnesota, 1955)
Tremeroli v. Austin Trailer Equipment Co.
227 P.2d 923 (California Court of Appeal, 1951)
Puratich v. Pacific Marine Supply Co.
51 P.2d 1080 (Washington Supreme Court, 1935)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
220 N.W. 192, 196 Wis. 339, 59 A.L.R. 1232, 1928 Wisc. LEXIS 251, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-fidelity-guaranty-co-v-western-iron-stores-co-wis-1928.