Adams v. Harrington Hotel Co. , 154 Mich. 198 ( 1908 )

Moore, J.

This case was tried before the circuit judge without a jury. At the request of the plaintiff the judge made findings of fact and law. The court rendered judgment for defendant. Exceptions were taken to his findings. The case is brought here by writ of error. The facts are not in dispute. The defendant delivered to the plaintiff a paper reading as follows :

“Port Huron, 6-16, 1903.

“ In consideration of the Adams Advertising Agency of Omaha, Neb., supplying us with one of their ink well and stationery counter cabinets, like photo, of Los Angeles Mexican onyx & silver, holding elc. light, free of charge, we agree to place same upon our office counter and make it a permanent fixture thereon for a term of two years. We agree to keep said cabinet in good order, and refer our guests seeking purchases or professional services to the cards thereon whenever opportunity affords. This contract is made for a term of six.years, with a change of cabinet each two years.

“A. C. Stuart, Manager,

“Harrington Hotel.”

This paper was not signed by plaintiff, nor did he sign any other paper relating thereto. He solicited advertisements from the business men at Port Huron which he expected to place in the cabinet, for which they were to pay him $318. The cabinet was shipped to the defendant, who notified plaintiff that it would not be received and was subject to his order, and it was returned to plaintiff. Plaintiff claims he is entitled to a judgment for $318, the amount he would have received for the advertisements.

The court found that the cabinet was suitable in workmanship and in material, and was in full performance of the requirements of the agreement, but held that the agreement was unilateral, and the plaintiff was not bound by its terms. Counsel for appellant insist:

“A promise upon a condition to be performed by the other party is a valid contract when the condition is performed. It is then clothed with a valid consideration which relates back to the promise, and it then becomes valid as an express promise. People v. Taylor, 2 Mich. 254.

“‘Want of mutuality in the inception of the contract may toe remedied by the subsequent conduct of the parties, or by the execution of the agreement.’ 7 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (2d Ed.), p. 115.

“‘ It is now generally held that if a proposition be made, to be accepted within a given time, it constitutes a continuing offer, which, however, may be retracted at any time. But if, at any time before it is retracted, it is accepted, such offer and acceptance constitute a valid contract.’ Cooper v. Lansing Wheel Co., 94 Mich. 272.

“See, also, Miller v. Smith, 140 Mich. 524; Orr v. Kenny, 150 Mich. 159.

“Where the vendee accepts the proposal and pays money on it, the element of mutuality is supplied and the contract is binding. Mull v. Smith, 132 Mich. 618. In onr case the expenditure of money on the cabinet and sending it to defendant supplies the element of mutuality.”

One trouble with this contention is that it overlooks some of the conditions stated in the paper signed by the defendant. It is stated therein that the cabinet shall be placed upon the office counter and made a permanent fixture thereon for two years. It is also stated therein “ this contract is made for a term of six years, with a change of cabinet each two years.” It is apparent that the contract, if it is to be regarded as a contract, cannot by its terms be completed in one year. It is also evident that the change of cabinet each two years must be made by plaintiff, and yet he has signed no agreement to make said change. It is clear, we think, that the contract is void under the provisions of section 9515, 3 Comp. Laws, because the agreement which is to be performed by the plaintiff cannot be performed in one year from the making of the agreement. See Wilkinson v. Heavenrich, 58 Mich. 574, where there is a full discussion of the principle involved. See, also, Davis v. Insurance Co., 127 Mich. 559; Co-operative Telephone Co. v. Katus, 140 Mich. 367; McIlroy v. Richards, 148 Mich. 694.

Judgment is affirmed.

Grant, C. J., and Montgomery, Ostrander, and * Hooker, JJ., concurred.