Export Import Lumber Company v. Port Banga Lumber Company/Opinion of the Court

United States Supreme Court

237 U.S. 388

Export Import Lumber Company  v.  Port Banga Lumber Company

 Argued: March 15, 1915. --- Decided: April 26, 1915

This is an appeal from the supreme court of the Philippine Islands, allowed May 13, 1914. Our jurisdiction depends on the amount involved; and a motion to dismiss must be sustained unless, from a consideration of the whole record, it fairly appears that 'the value in controversy exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars.' Act of July 1, 1902, chap. 1369, § 10, 32 Stat. at L. 691, 695, Comp. Stat. 1913, §§ 3804, 1225. What is actually in dispute here is the criterion. Bowman v. Chicago & N. W. R. Co. 115 U.S. 611, 613, 29 L. ed. 502, 503, 6 Sup. Ct. Rep. 192; Martinez v. International Bkg. Corp. 220 U.S. 214, 221, 55 L. ed. 438, 442, 31 Sup. Ct. Rep. 408.

To avoid possible confusion their United States currency equivalents are used herein instead of the Philippine peso and centavo.

The Port Banga Lumber Company instituted a proceeding November 14, 1910, and afterwards filed an amended complaint, against appellant, the Export & Import Lumber Company, wherein it alleged that in March or April, 1910, the two companies entered into an oral arrangement to sell logs in the China trade upon joint account,-the proceeds to be appropriated first to expenses and then equally divided; appellant, on May 6, 1910, agreed to furnish to the China Import & Export Lumber Company logs at 90 cents per cubic foot; thereafter, falsely pretending such stipulated price was 27 1/2 cents, appellant induced complainant to consent to an annulment of the oral arrangement between them and enter into a written one, dated June 10, 1910, under which the latter agreed to supply the logs for 20 cents per cubic foot; and that at an expense of $7,211.43 it delivered 32,032 cubic feet, and appellant collected therefor 90 cents per foot,-$28,828.80. The complainant accordingly asked that the writing of June 10th be annulled; the oral contract be declared in force; and, in harmony therewith, judgment for $18,020.12.

The Export & Import Lumber Company denied the allegations in the complaint, except as specifically admitted, but said the written contract of June 10th was in force and $2,500 had been paid thereunder and accepted by complainant. It further set up that by the contract of May 6th it became obligated to furnish the China Import & Export Lumber Company designated logs within a specified time; on June 10th it transferred this duty to the complainant, which failed fully to comply therewith; and as a consequence $8,750 had to be deducted from the sale price which otherwise would have been received. It therefore claimed damages to that extent and asked judgment accordingly.

Counsel admitted of record that 32,032 cubic feet of logs were delivered by complainant to the China Import & Export Lumber Company; and unquestionably appellant collected therefor 90 cents per foot, $28,828.80, less $8,750.

The court below held (26 Philippine, 602; 27 Philippine, --) the contract of June 10th was procured by fraud; the rights of the parties depended upon the oral agreement; the deduction of $8,750 from stipulated sale price should be taken into consideration; complainant was entitled to its expenses of $7,211.43; and that the balance of amount actually collected by appellant should be equally divided. A certain credit of $450, explanation of which is now unnecessary, having been allowed, judgment was entered April 3, 1914, against appellant for $13,195.12, together with $2,683.01 interest from November 14, 1910, when the original complaint was filed,-in all, $15,878.13. The Port Banga Lumber Company has not appealed, and this is the maximum recovery which appellant can suffer.

According to appellant's theory the written contract of June 10th remained in force. A settlement thereunder would require a debit against it for logs delivered-32,032 cubic feet at 20 cents of $6,406.40, and necessitate credits of $2,500, alleged payment on account, and $8,750, damages sustained. The resulting balance of $4,843.60, with interest from November 14, 1910, to April 3, 1914, $984.87, or $5,828.47, is the greatest sum for which it could have recovered judgment.

The maximum amount fairly in dispute is therefore the judgment of $15,878.13 against appellant, plus $5,828.47, which it sought to recover from appellee,-a total of $21,706.60. Dushane v. Benedict, 120 U.S. 630, 636, 30 L. ed. 810, 811, 7 Sup. Ct. Rep. 696; Buckstaff v. Russell & Co. 151 U.S. 626, 628, 39 L. ed. 292, 14 Sup. Ct. Rep. 448; Harten v. L offler, 212 U.S. 397, 403, 53 L. ed. 568, 571, 29 Sup. Ct. Rep. 351; Keller v. Ashford, 133 U.S. 610, 617, 33 L. ed. 667, 671, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 494; Philippine Code Civ. Proc. § 510.

The value in controversy being under $25,000, the appeal must be dismissed.

Notes