Rench v. Harris

DOOLING, J. Two separate appeals are presented from two judgments of nonsuit. The complaints in the two actions count on the same transaction and the two cases were consolidated for trial. The plaintiff’s evidence shows that defendant Joseph W. Harris was the owner of the Court Hotel in San Francisco and the hotel was leased to one Bolzendahl at $1,250 per month for an extended term of years. In 1944, plaintiff was negotiating with the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company to secure housing accommodations for their employees and learned that the company was interested in securing a lease on the Court Hotel for that purpose. He worked out a plan involving three steps: 1. The purchase by the owner of Bolzendahl’s lease; 2. the eviction of the subtenants under O. P. A. regulations; and 3. the leasing of the hotel to the telephone company at an increased rental. He then contacted Harris and presented his three-point plan to him. What then ensued is quoted verbatim from plaintiff’s testimony:

“Mr. Harris said, ‘Carl, (addressing the plaintiff) that is fine. You go and keep on working with the Telephone Company and I will work matters out with Mr. Bolzendahl, and naturally will take care for your plan and have your submittance. ’ ”

The transaction was carried through as suggested, plaintiff continuing to negotiate with the telephone company concerning their leasing the hotel. Bolzendahl’s lease was purchased by Harris and the telephone company became lessees of the property at a considerably increased rental. Harris refused to compensate plaintiff and these actions were filed, one for the reasonable value and the other for one-half the profit from the transaction.

The nonsuits were granted on the ground that plaintiff was not a licensed realtor and the transaction as to him was therefore prohibited by law.

It is plaintiff’s theory that he sold Harris an idea for which he is entitled to compensation. Plaintiff cites in support of this theory Yadkow v. Fields, 66 Cal.App.2d 150 [151 P.2d 906] ; Liggett & Meyer Tobacco Co. v. Meyer, 101 Ind.App. 420 [194 N.E. 206]; How J. Ryan & Associ[127]ates v. Century Brewing Ass’n., 185 Wash. 600 [55 P.2d 1053 [104 A.L.R. 1353] ; and Brunner v. Stix, Baer & Fuller Co., 352 Mo. 1225 [181 S.W.2d 643], We need not consider these eases in detail for even if they are applicable to the facts of the cases before us we are satisfied that the judgments of nonsuit were proper.