In Re Assignment of Cutler Horgen

[1] This is the second appeal in this case, the opinion in the first appeal being found in 204 Iowa 739, where the facts are stated. On procedendo in this case, an effort was made to carry out the orders of this court. The assignee filed a report showing that she had paid her attorneys $500 in fees, with interest thereon of $78.08; that she also paid herself as assignee for services, $1150.00, with interest, amounting to $179.59; also the costs of the first trial in the district court amounting to $57.60; also the rent claimed from S.S. Lohr of $1750.00, plus $273.29 interest. The interest was all figured at 6%. The court reduced the interest to 4%. The evidence shows that the assignee had her funds on deposit at the bank bearing 4% interest, payable semi-annually. The assignee appeals.

Her first complaint is that the court erred in disapproving the payment of interest at 6% per annum on the judgment of the landlord, and the fees of the assignee and her attorney. The court evidently allowed the 4% semi-annual interest to be figured on these claims and held that the assignee must turn back the excess, or the difference between that and 6% interest which she paid. In this we think the court's ruling was right. The evidence shows that there were not sufficient funds in this estate to pay the creditors in full, with interest on the claims. We have held that in insolvent estates where this condition exists, creditors, even preferred creditors, are not entitled to interest. See Leach v. Sanborn State Bank, 210 Iowa 613.

It is next urged that the court erred in taxing the costs of the original proceeding in amount of $57.60 against the assignee. In this there was no error. So far therefore as the appeal of the assignee is concerned, the case is affirmed.

[2] II. F.S. Lohr also appeals. As is noted in the former opinion, he was the holder of a chattel mortgage for $4500.00 on an undivided half-interest in the stock of goods involved herein. He claims that his chattel mortgage was superior to taxes due the State. Opposing counsel rely on section 12731, Code, 1927, which provides that in cases of assignment for the benefit of creditors, taxes due the state shall have priority and be paid in full. We do not think this section of the statute is applicable here. Lohr, under his chattel mortgage, had the first lien on this property, and the taxes in controversy were never a lien on the property. We know of no equity under such circumstances which would make these taxes a lien superior to a chattel mortgage on an undivided one-half of this property. It is to be remembered that the State is not here asserting a superior lien, but the question involved is what the equitable rights are as between this chattel mortgagee and other creditors of the partnership making the assignment, and because this matter was taken into court by insolvency proceedings is no reason why the holder of the chattel mortgage should be required to bear the burden of any part or all of these taxes.

[3] It is further insisted that the unpaid rental on the building which originated and accrued after the giving of this chattel mortgage should also be deducted, thus making the chattel mortgagee stand a part of this unpaid rent. While the same was a lien on the property by reason of the relation of landlord and tenant, yet it was a lien junior and inferior to the rights of the prior-existing chattel mortgagee, and we see no reason why any part of this unpaid rent should be borne by the chattel mortgagee.

[4] In the former submission of this case, 204 Iowa 739, 745, we said: "In the final distribution of the proceeds of this estate in the hands of the assignee, in determining the amount due the chattel mortgagee, the proceeds are not to be reduced by the compensation allowed the assignee, but are to bear their share of the usual cost of administration."

This is the law of the case which must control us in the consideration of this question. It follows, therefore, that no part of the fee allowed the assignee can be charged against or deducted from the undivided half-interest on which this chattel mortgage existed. In other words, the value of the undivided half-interest of all of the property that went into the hands of the assignee, less the proportionate share of the usual cost of administration, is the amount that should be received by the chattel mortgagee.

Turning to the reports of the assignee, so far as we are able to determine therefrom, the amount thus ascertained as the value of the assets that went into the hands of the assignee was $6856.89. One-half of this amount is $3,428.44. The accounts presented to us in the various reports of the assignee are in many instances lump sums, and it is a difficult matter to determine what is the proportionate share of the usual cost of administration. So far as we are able to calculate from the figures before us, the share of the expense of administration, which should be borne by the chattel mortgagee, would be approximately $300.00. This would leave a balance of $3,128.44 which should be paid by the assignee to the holder of the chattel mortgage. This is in accordance with the rule laid down by the prior opinion in this case.

The motion to dismiss the appeal is overruled.

The decree entered in the lower court is affirmed on the appeal of the assignee and is modified and affirmed on the appeal of the chattel mortgagee. — Affirmed on the appeal of the Assignee; modified and affirmed on the appeal of the Chattel Mortgagee.

All Justices concur except FAVILLE, C.J., and EVANS, J., who take no part.

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION ON PETITION FOR REHEARING.