Geister v. School District

In May, 1924, defendant school district, having plans and specifications for a new school house, contracted with plaintiffs for its erection, the work to "be substantially completed not later than September 1, 1924." The building was well toward completion when, on August 2, 1924, the superintendent of public instruction approved the plans and specifications. The school board and the contractors varied from the plans and specifications in a number of particulars without written consent of the superintendent of public instruction. The plaintiffs brought this suit to recover remainder due on original contract, nearly $600, and for extras done and provided, nearly $2,000, and had verdict and judgment for $1,750. Defendant brings error.

Section 5874, 2 Comp. Laws 1915, being section 1, Act No. 17, Pub. Acts 1915:

"SECTION 1. No school house shall hereafter be erected in any school district in this State, and no addition to a school building in any such district shall hereafter be erected, the cost of either of which shall exceed three hundred dollars, until the plans and specifications for the same shall have been submitted to the superintendent of public instruction and his approval indorsed thereon. Such plans and specifications shall be submitted in duplicate and shall show in detail the ventilation, heating and lighting: Provided, That the said superintendent of public instruction shall have authority to inspect such building or buildings during the process of construction in order to determine that the provisions of this act are being complied with."

By Act No. 139, Pub. Acts 1919 (Comp. Laws Supp. 1922, § 5876 [1, 2]), the title of Act No. 17 was amended and two sections, 4 and 5, were added. We quote section 5:

"It shall be unlawful for any officer, board, committee, architect, builder, civil engineer, plumber, carpenter, mason, contractor, subcontractor, foreman, or employee to vary from plans and specifications approved by the superintendent of public instruction without his written consent, or otherwise violate, or assist in violating any of the provisions contained in this act. Any person, board, firm, or corporation, who violates any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not to exceed thirty days, either or both in the discretion of the court."

Proceeding to actual erection of the school house before having the plans and specifications approved by the superintendent of public instruction was a penal offense under section 1 of the act as amended and that is true whether the work was done under the original contract or pursuant to changes made by agreement between the board and the contractors without the approval of the superintendent of public instruction. Varying from the plans and specifications after approval of the officer and without his written consent was penal under section 5. The penalty provided by the legislature is fine and imprisonment or both. It did not provide that the contract be void. If the courts are to hold the contract void it must appear that the legislature so intended. The act is in the interest of the public health. It was held in Cashin v. Pliter, 168 Mich. 386 (Ann. Cas. 1913C, 697):

"The general rule is well settled that, where statutes enacted to protect the public against fraud or imposition, or to safeguard the public health or morals, contain a prohibition and impose a penalty, all contracts in violation thereof are void."

The contract and agreements in modification thereof for the reason stated are void. See Endres v. Mara- Rickenbacker Co.,ante, 5; Ulrich v. School District, 228 Mich. 479.

The belated approval of the superintendent of public instruction is of no force. It is against the statute. And the public good requires that the officer exercise his judgment in the interest of public health unhampered by such an embarrassing situation as appears in this case. Judgment should have been entered for defendant on the reserved motion to direct a verdict.

Reversed, with costs to defendant, and remanded with direction to enter judgment for defendant.

FEAD, C.J., and NORTH, FELLOWS, WIEST, and McDONALD, JJ., concurred with CLARK, J.