Opinion
16899.
JANUARY 12, 1950. REHEARING DENIED FEBRUARY 17, 1950.
Injunction, etc. Before Judge Lilly. Colquitt Superior Court. September 10, 1949.
Hoyt H. Whelchel, for plaintiff in error.
Bivins Bivins, Gibson DeLoache, Robert E. Cheshire, P. C. Andrews, W. B. Withers, William H. Riddlespurger, and Sam J. Gardner Jr., contra.
As amended, the petition shows a signed and written builder's performance contract of the same date and kind specified as attached to the bond sued on, which, although not attached, is subject to be attached under the allegations and prayers for reformation for mutual mistake of the parties to do so; and the plans and specifications, sufficiently referred to in said contract, being also in writing and set out in the amended petition, although unsigned, may be identified therewith by permissible parol evidence so as to make a completed obligation, which, when so done, is not subject to the objection raised by demurrer that it is in violation of the statute of frauds.
No. 16899. JANUARY 12, 1950. REHEARING DENIED FEBRUARY 17, 1950.
G. A. Horkan and Mrs. G. A. Horkan brought a bill in equity against George H. Miller, Great American Indemnity Company of New York, and various other named defendants, including the County of Colquitt. The petition makes allegations substantially as hereinafter stated. Mrs. G. A. Horkan is the owner of certain described realty. Acting through her husband and agent, G. A. Horkan, on April 9, 1948, she entered into a contract with and employed George H. Miller, as contractor, whereby the latter agreed to provide all materials and perform all work in the construction of a residence on the owner's said realty in accordance with plans and specifications known and agreed between the petitioners and Miller. Under the terms of the contract the petitioners agreed to pay said Miller $29,950 for furnishing the materials and performing the work. Miller, the contractor, as principal, and Great American Indemnity Company of New York, as surety, executed and delivered to the petitioners a standard contract bond dated May 6, 1948, under which said principal and surety acknowledged themselves bound unto the petitioners in the sum of $30,000 for all loss that the petitioners, as obligees, might sustain by reason of the principal's failure to comply with any of the terms of the contract, a copy of the bond being attached as exhibit "A". Subsequently, the petitioners and Miller agreed in writing upon certain alterations aggregating $1,592.90, a copy of which, signed "G. H. Miller" and "G. A. Horkan" being attached as exhibit "B". The total contract price including alterations amounted to $31,542.90. The petitioners paid Miller a total of $28,000, leaving a balance of $3542.90, which would have been due him had he performed the contract and discharged all bills for materials and labor. The petitioners claim $3528.95 against Miller for certain specified defects, deficiencies, and losses resulting from the construction, more particularly set out in an attached exhibit "C". In November, 1948, Miller abandoned the construction and advised the petitioners that he was unable to perform further work and unable to discharge liens claimed by the other named defendants, all of whom except two had filed suits against Miller and Mrs. G. A. Horkan, seeking a lien on realty of the latter. The other two were threatening to sue and to likewise claim a lien. The defendants who have filed and recorded lien claims are listed with the separate amounts thereof aggregating more than $17,000. The petitioners aver that the claims of the several creditors are of such doubtful character as to render it dangerous for Mrs. G. A. Horkan to pay the same or prorate the funds remaining in her hands among them. The petitioners do not know whether said surety on the contractor's bond recognized any of said creditors as holding such claims as to entitle them to liens against the property of Mrs. G. A. Horkan. The petitioners are advised that the contractor disputes the correctness of some of said claims. If any of the creditors hold valid claims, they would become liens upon the property of Mrs. G. A. Horkan upon the failure of said Miller to discharge the same. By the express terms of the contract bond, Great American Indemnity Company is bound to indemnify the petitioners and save them harmless from all loss and damage which they may suffer by reason of the contractor's failure to faithfully perform said contract. Also, in the event and to the extent that any of the other said defendants may recover a judgment establishing a lien against Mrs. G. A. Horkan's property, she is entitled to a judgment against Great American Indemnity Company of New York. The petitioners aver that the contractor, Miller, is insolvent. He fails and refuses to perform the construction. The petitioners are without adequate remedy at law, and it is necessary for them to seek the aid of a court of equity. Creditors claiming liens on the realty who have not already filed suits should be enjoined and restrained from instituting separate actions, and those who have already instituted actions should be required by their answer to this bill to set up and assert their respective claims, so that the rights and liabilities of all parties may be heard, determined, and fixed in one proceeding; otherwise; a multiplicity of suits and circuity of actions would be required. The petitioners aver willingness to pay the balance remaining in their hands, to wit, $13.95, to whomsoever it belongs, and they tender said amount into court. Besides the prayer for process, the petitioners also pray: to enjoin and restrain those creditors who have not already filed from proceeding in separate actions, but that they be required to answer and set up their claims herein; to enjoin those creditors who have already filed from proceeding further with their separate actions, but instead that they be required to answer and set up their claims in this suit; that all creditors not named be allowed to intervene; that the plaintiffs have judgment against the defendant Miller and said surety on his bond for $3528.90, as reasonable cost of remedying defects and deficiencies in the construction, and judgment against them also for the amount by which the petitioners' liability to creditors of the defendant Miller who claim liens on the property of Mrs. G. A. Horkan, may be determined to exceed the final balance of the contract price left in the petitioners' hands; and for general relief.
After a temporary restraining order was granted and by the time of the hearing, amendments were filed to the petition as follows: changing a part of the description of the real estate from "Lot No. 15" to "Lots Nos. 14 and 15"; designating and attaching as exhibit "D" prints of plans entitled "Hollands No. 2032-C"; designating and attaching as exhibit "E" "Specifications for Holland's Plan No. 2032-C"; by designating and attaching as exhibit "F" "Specifications to be added to house to be built for G. A. Horkan, Moultrie, Georgia, on the Thomasville Highway"; it being alleged in said amendment that it was contemplated by the petitioners and by the defendant Miller and Great American Indemnity Company, at the time said bond was executed, that there should be attached a copy of exhibit "F". The defendant, Great American Indemnity Company, was furnished with a copy of said exhibit "F" prior to the execution and delivery of said bond and in connection with the application therefor, which said bond recited that said written agreement was attached. The petitioners aver that said bond was given as indemnity to the petitioners against default by the defendant Miller in the faithful performance and execution of said contract of construction therein referred to. The petitioners aver that they paid the defendant, Great American Indemnity Company, the premium charged for said bond in the amount of $300, and said defendant, Great American Indemnity Company, received and retained said premium. The petitioners aver that said amendment of said plans and specifications, referred to in exhibit "F", was inadvertently omitted from said original bond by mistake of the parties and should have been attached, so that, if it should be necessary to reform said bond in order to adjudicate the issues raised in this proceeding between the petitioners and the defendant, Great American Indemnity Company, and to determine the extent of its liability under said bond, then the petitioners are entitled to have the said bond reformed so as to accurately speak the contract between the parties by having attached to said bond, as a part thereof, said written agreement referred to herein as exhibit "F". An itemized list of payments made by the petitioners to the defendant Miller was set out in the amendment. Also it was alleged that each of said claims of lien is made only against said Lot No. 15, whereas said building is located on portions of Lots 14 and 15 in said subdivision. In the amendment, it was prayed that the bond be reformed by attaching a copy of the written agreement referred to as exhibit "F".
The defendant, Great American Indemnity Company, demurred generally and specially to the original petition and to the petition as amended. The general demurrers were substantially as follows: that no cause of action was set out; that the bond sued on did not have attached thereto a copy of the contract; that the bond was incomplete, vague, and indefinite, so that no action could be based thereon; that the obligation sought to be enforced is one to answer for the default of another, which by the statute of frauds is required to be in writing, not only for the bond itself, but also for the contract with the contractor, and the original or amended petition does not satisfy the statute of frauds; and that the amended petition does not set out any facts which would entitle the petitioners to reformation. Special demurrers to the original and the amended petition by paragraphs in effect were the same as those grounds stated above. The demurrers were overruled, and the case was brought to this court by exceptions to that order.
The plaintiff in error, Great American Indemnity Company, insists that there is only one question to be determined — whether or not the petition as amended is sufficient to set out a cause of action against it, in view of the demurrers urging the invalidity of the bond because of the provisions of the statute of frauds that a promise to answer for the default or miscarriage of another must be in writing, signed by the party to be charged therewith, or some person by him lawfully authorized. Code, § 20-401 (2). Admitting that the bond itself is in writing and signed, it is nevertheless argued that recitals and conditions therein expressed require a written contract between the contractor (who is the principal in the bond) and the obligees thereof. In this connection it is urged that the required writing is not attached, nor is the right to have it attached shown by the original petition or as amended. The initial portion of the bond is as follows: "Know All Men By These Presents: That George H. Miller of Moultrie, State of Georgia, hereinafter called the Principal, and the Great American Indemnity Company, hereinafter called the Surety, are held and firmly bound unto Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Horkan of Moultrie, State of Georgia, hereinafter called the Obligee, in the sum of Thirty Thousand and No/100 ($30,000.00) dollars; for the payment whereof to the Obligee the Principal bind _________________, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, and the Surety binds itself, its successors and assigns, firmly by these presents. Signed, sealed and dated this 6th day of May, 1948. Whereas the Principal and the Obligee have entered into a written contract, hereinafter called the Contract, for building a residence on Thomasville-Moultrie Highway, dated the 9th day of April, 1948, a copy of which is attached hereto: Now Therefore, the condition of the foregoing is such that, if the Principal shall indemnify the Obligee for all loss that the Obligee may sustain by reason of the Principal's failure to comply with any of the terms of the contract, then this obligation shall be void; otherwise it shall remain in full force." Then following are express conditions usual to the form of bond, and the same, briefly summarized, are: 1. The obligee shall give immediate written notice to the Surety of any act or omission involving loss. 2. If the Principal fails to comply, the Surety shall have the right to assume the remainder of the contract and at its option perform or sublet the same. 3. In the event of breach of the contract, the Surety shall be subrogated to rights and properties of the Principal arising out of the contract. 4. Legal proceedings shall be begun within twelve months from discovery of breach, but to be extended twelve months if the Surety shall assume performance. 5. The Principal shall be made a party to any suit to recover, and no judgment shall be rendered against the Surety in excess of the penalty of the instrument. 6. The Surety shall not be liable for damages from strikes and other named things. 7. No change shall be made in the plans and specifications forming a part of the contract that shall increase the amount to be paid to the Principal more than ten percent of the penalty of the instrument, unless the Surety's consent thereto shall be secured in writing. 8. The obligee shall retain such portion as the contract specifies (but not in any event less than ten percent of such value) until the Principal has completely performed. 9. A right of action is limited to the obligee. Then, following the witness clause, appear the signatures: George Miller, Principal, Great American Indemnity Company By Gladys Lyon, Attorney-in-fact.
The defendants in error concede that no written contract between the contractor (Principal) and the obligees was alleged by the original petition to have been attached to the bond. Nevertheless they rely on the instruments and steps set out in the petition as amended as sufficient to show compliance in any view of the character of the undertaking. Further, the defendants in error say that reformation, sought by the amendment to the petition to establish exhibit "F" as a part of the bond, coupled with a tie-in of plans and specifications identifiable by parol, makes it a complete obligation. Exhibit "F" is captioned "George Miller Contractor," followed by the date "April 9, 1948," and the instrument begins in the body with the words, "Specifications to be added to House to be built for G. A. Horkan, Moultrie, Georgia, on Thomasville Highway"; then it describes various items of construction and equipment in paragraphs numbered 1 through 14. Next it reads: "15. Payments to be as follows: A payment of $3000 cash, the balance to be paid as work progresses. 16. Total of contract to be $29,950. 17. Shower over each tub upstairs. /s/ G. A. Horkan, Owner, /s/ George Miller, Contractor." Exhibit "E" is headed "Holland's The Magazine of the South Home Building Service, Century Building, Fort Worth, Texas, Specifications for Holland's Plan No. 2032-C C. O. Chromaster, Architect, 401 Century Building, Fort Worth, Texas"; and there follow in the body of the instrument typewritten specifications, consisting of approximately fifteen pages, covering details of construction and near the end it reads: "Conclusion: The successful contractor must furnish the owner with a satisfactory guarantee, either by a responsible lumber yard or by a Surety Bond, that he is financially able to, and will, complete the contract according to plans and specifications, and that all bills for labor and materials will be paid." Exhibit "D" consists of blueprints of plans for the construction of a residence, bearing the legend "Holland's No. 2032-C. C. O. Chromaster, Architect." Exhibit "C" is entitled "Specifications of the particulars in which the Contractor George H. Miller failed to fully perform the contract between him and G. A. Horkan for the construction of the latter's home in Lot 15, Block "F", Colonial Heights"; following which approximately three typewritten pages detail the alleged failure. Exhibit "B" recites: "We hereby agree that the statement below is the correct agreed price and actual cost of additions and alternations made in the construction and completion of the dwelling in which Mr. Mrs. G. A. Horkan now reside just South of the City of Moultrie, Georgia"; and items numbered 1 through 19 are described and stated as to amount showing a total of $1562.90, and signatures follow: G. H. Miller, G. A. Horkan.
The recital in the bond (exhibit "A"), which refers to "the contract, for building a residence on Thomasville-Moultrie Highway, dated the 9th day of April, 1948," when compared with exhibit "F" bearing the same last-mentioned date, setting out "Specifications to be added to House to be built for G. A. Horkan, Moultrie, Georgia," and containing stipulations of the total contract-price, not only for the added specifications, but also for the whole job, stating method of payment, and containing signatures of the owner's alleged agent and the contractor, cannot be brushed aside as having no connection, especially in view of the allegation of the amendment, that "Great American Indemnity Company" was furnished with a copy of said exhibit "F" prior to the execution and delivery of the said bond. When analyzed, exhibit "F" shows on its face that it is the modification or enlargement of some other existing plans and specifications, which are inferentially referred to in sufficient manner to furnish a key. These other existing plans (exhibit "C") and specifications (exhibit "D") are sought to be shown by identification in parol, and the defendants in error contend that this can be done in any view of the law as to whether the statute of frauds is applicable or not. If there was a mistake of the parties in failing to attach exhibit "F", the amendment and prayer to reform the bond to such an extent as to make it speak the intention of the parties is an available remedy.
The other phase of the question is, whether or not identification of the unsigned plans and specifications can be supplied by parol. In 73 A.L.R. 1383 in connection with several cases considered, there is a discussion of the extent to which parol evidence is admissible to identify a writing referred to in another signed writing so as to meet the requirements of the statute of frauds, and in a summary it is said: "The general statement is sometimes made that, where several documents are relied upon as constituting a memorandum satisfying the statute of frauds, oral evidence may not be relied upon to connect documents; but that rule appears to have little force as applied to a written agreement signed by the parties, or by the party, to be charged, wherein reference is made to an extrinsic writing. In such case it appears that the two documents may be regarded as satisfying the statute, even though oral evidence be relied upon to further identify the writing referred to." Going even further, is the case of Forst v. Leonard, 112 Ala. 296 ( 20 So. 587), which involved a suit upon a bond given to secure the performance of a building contract, the bond referring to the contract as one "to build a one-story frame dwelling"; and it was held that "either under the statute of frauds, or in view of the inquiry whether the bond and contract for any purpose, are to be read together," it was not essential for the bond to set out the terms and specifications of the contract to build the dwelling. Further in said case the Alabama court said: "the only remaining question arising in this case is whether the reference in the bond . . is sufficient in itself, or as added by admissible parol evidence, to make the contract set out in the complaint part and parcel of the bond. . . We do not understand it to have ever been the law that parol evidence was inadmissible under these circumstances for this purpose. Without such evidence the whole contract is existent and evidenced by writing. The oral evidence does not add to or take away a single term to or from it. But merely by clearing away an ambiguity or uncertainty in the reference of one part of this wholly written contract to another, such evidence brings the separated parts together. But if the rule were ever otherwise, it is not so either here or in England at the present time. To the contrary, it is thoroughly well established, there and here, that where a contract, required to be in writing by the statute of frauds, rests upon the contents of two separate papers, and the only thing lacking to a compliance with that statute is the identification of the two papers in their relation to each other, that identification may be supplied by oral evidence." This case was cited and the quotation used in the more recently decided case of Fidelity Casualty Co. of N. Y. v. Raborn (1937) 234 Ala. 31 ( 173 So. 402 (6)). See also Central Shoe Co. v. J. P. Cohn Co. 160 Miss. 151 ( 133 So. 126). An Indiana case, Foltz v. Evans, 113 Ind. App. 596 ( 49 N.E.2d 358), had under consideration a contract for the sale of land, which contained a condition that the house must be "completed upstairs and a two-car garage (erected?) according to plans and specifications." It was contended that the quoted condition was not a part of the typewritten contract because of indefinite reference to "plans and specifications." After reviewing several cases on the subject and citing the note in 85 A.L.R. at page 1184, the Indiana court said: "It therefore appears that, while parol evidence is not generally admissible to show the connection between the signed and unsigned, it is admissible to identify unsigned writings referred to in the signed writing." Although this court is not bound by decisions of courts of other States, when the reasoning seems sound as it does in the cited cases we are persuaded to follow the same principle, where none of the cases cited by counsel or found in our search of the decisions of this State demands a different rule.
Because of the difference in facts, we do not think that the attempt to show the completed obligation in the manner set up in the petition as amended in this case is contrary to anything ruled in Brown-Randolph Co. v. Gude, 151 Ga. 281 ( 106 S.E. 161), where it was recognized that "A building contract, to be valid, must have the necessary element of certainty, just as other contracts. Such a contract may be made sufficiently certain by reference to other documents, or to plans and specifications. But each reference must be sufficient to identify the documents or plans to which the reference is made." The facts alleged in the present case are distinguishable also from those in the cases of F. W. Grand Stores v. Eiseman, 160 Ga. 321 ( 127 S.E. 872); Jackson v. Strowger Automatic Tel. Exchange, 108 Ga. 646, 647 ( 34 S.E. 207); and others cited by counsel for the plaintiff in error.
It is our conclusion that the amended petition is not subject to the objections raised by the demurrers and that there was no error in the judgment of the court below, overruling the same.
Judgment affirmed. All the Justices concur.