{ "id": 8570649, "name": "WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY v. CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "Weyerhaeuser Co. v. Carolina Power & Light Co.", "decision_date": "1962-10-10", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "717", "last_page": "722", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "257 N.C. 717" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "128 S.E. 401", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "190 N.C. 52", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8595409 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "57" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/190/0052-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 S.E. 2d 479", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "230 N.C. 687", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631970 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "691" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/230/0687-01" ] }, { "cite": "42 S.E. 2d 77", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "227 N.C. 307", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624454 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/227/0307-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 S.E. 267", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "160 N.C. 269", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271183 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/160/0269-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 S.E. 512", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "152 N.C. 211", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11270354 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/152/0211-01" ] }, { "cite": "2 S.E. 2d 884", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "215 N.C. 628", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631119 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "633" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/215/0628-01" ] }, { "cite": "24 S.E. 2d 614", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "222 N.C. 716", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8632301 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "722" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0716-01" ] }, { "cite": "64 S.E. 2d 162", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "233 N.C. 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606740 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "327" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/233/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 S.E. 2d 743", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "231 N.C. 722", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8632030 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "727" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/231/0722-01" ] }, { "cite": "40 S.E. 2d 198", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "226 N.C. 706", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624699 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "710" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/226/0706-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 S.E. 2d 604", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "236 N.C. 247", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624534 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "251" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/236/0247-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 S.E. 2d 390", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "223 N.C. 97", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8599621 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "100" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/223/0097-01" ] }, { "cite": "95 S.E. 2d 553", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "245 N.C. 139", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606416 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "145" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/245/0139-01" ] }, { "cite": "75 S.E. 2d 541", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "237 N.C. 540", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615403 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "542" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/237/0540-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 661, "char_count": 15109, "ocr_confidence": 0.559, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.161484716552864e-06, "percentile": 0.9869191215395183 }, "sha256": "87392fd1f746d8317d4c682bdea32e73391e4fdf989c841d8339eac2db29f8d9", "simhash": "1:c3945182289c8c1a", "word_count": 2508 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:02:42.075591+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY v. CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "MooRE, J.\nIn 1941 Finley McMillan, for a recited consideration of $1,000, granted to the Tide Water Power Company \u201ca right-of-way and easement, one hundred (100) feet in width, upon, over and across\u201d a large tract of timber land situate in Pender County, \u201cfor the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining one electric transmission line . . . the said right-of-way to extend fifty (50) feet on each side of the center line thereof . . . .\u201d The grant further provides: \u201cThe party of the second part shall have the right to make such changes, alterations and substitutions in said line of structure, from time to time, as to it may seem advisable or expedient. And the right is further granted to the party of the second part, its successors and assigns, to keep said right-of-way and easement clear of all structures and undergrowth for the full width thereof and to cut away and keep clear of said line and wires all trees or other obstructions that might in any way endanger the proper operation of the same, including all trees off the right-of-way which in falling might endanger the line.\u201d\nPlaintiff is presently the owner of the land burdened with the easement. Defendant has succeeded to the rights granted to Tide Water Power Company. Defendant has been and now is engaged in cutting from the timber land in question trees standing outside the 100-foot right-of-way \u201cwhich in falling might endanger the line.\u201d\nPlaintiff \u201cconcedes that the defendant is authorized by the terms of said easement deed to cut\u201d such trees, but \u201cplaintiff contends that it is entitled to receive payment for the value of the trees so cut and to be cut and has made demand upon the defendant therefor.\u201d Defendant has refused the demand.\nIt is stipulated by the parties that the only question for decision is: \u201cIn the exercise of its right to cut trees outside of the 100-foot right-of-way, pursuant to the easement deed ... , is the defendant liable to the plaintiff for the value of such trees as and when cut?\u201d\nThe cause came on to be heard before Judge Mintz who answered the stipulated question in the negative and adjudged that plaintiff recover nothing. Plaintiff excepted and appealed.\nAn easement is an interest in land, and is generally created by deed. Borders v. Yarbrough, 237 N.C. 540, 542, 75 S.E. 2d 541. An easement deed, such as the one in the case at bar, is, of course, a contract. The controlling purpose of the court in construing a contract is to ascertain the intention of the parties as of the time the contract was made, and to do this consideration must be given to the purpose to be accomplished, the subject-matter of the contract, and the situation of the parties. DeBruhl v. Highway Commission, 245 N.C. 139, 145, 95 S.E. 2d 553. The intention of the parties is to be gathered from the entire instrument and not from detached portions. Electric Supply Co. v. Burgess, 223 N.C. 97, 100, 25 S.E. 2d 390. An excerpt from a contract must be interpreted in context with the rest of the agreement. R.R. v. R.R., 236 N.C. 247, 251, 72 S.E. 2d 604. When the language of a contract is clear and unambiguous, effect must be given to its terms, and the court, under the guise of constructions, cannot reject what the parties inserted or insert what the parties elected to omit. Indemnity Co. v. Hood, 226 N.C. 706, 710, 40 S.E. 2d 198. It is the province of the courts to construe and not to make contracts for the parties. Williamson v. Miller, 231 N.C. 722, 727, 58 S.E. 2d 743; Green v. Insurance Co., 233 N.C. 321, 327, 64 S.E. 2d 162. The terms of an unambiguous contract are to be taken and understood in their plain, ordinary and popular sense. Bailey v. Insurance Co., 222 N.C. 716, 722, 24 S.E. 2d 614. A court cannot grant relief from a contract merely because it is a hard one. Durant v. Powell, 215 N.C. 628, 633, 2 S.E. 2d 884. Applying these principles in the construction of the contract in the instant case, we conclude that the court below placed the proper interpretation upon its terms and the judgment below should be affirmed.\nPlaintiff contends that the contract is divisible, the \u201cdanger tree\u201d clause is only incidental to the primary grant of the right-of-way, and that the parties did not intend that the recited consideration should compensate for cutting trees outside the right-of-way. Plaintiff points out that the main granting clause, following the recital of consideration, deals only with the grant of a 100-foot right-of-way, and that the later clause granting the right to cut \u201cdanger trees\u201d does not use such language as \u201cin further consideration. . . .\u201d It is argued that the parties contemplated the payment of damages for cutting trees outside the right-of-way when the cutting is done. We do not agree with plaintiff\u2019s interpretation of the contract. Plaintiff stipulates that by virtue of the easement deed defendant \u201cis authorized to cut the trees standing outside of the . . . right-of-way \u2018which in falling might endanger the line.\u2019 \u201d There is no contention that the recited consideration is not sufficient to support this right. There is no suggestion that defendant has done or proposes to do anything more than to exercise the right. The easement deed does not vest in defendant title to the felled trees, and there is no contention that it does. The trees are the property of plaintiff and are subject to its disposal. Indeed, plaintiff may anticipate cutting by defendant and fell, remove and dispose of the trees at a time and in a manner which will best serve plaintiff\u2019s advantage. In the absence of an express agreement that defendant must pay the value of such trees when cut, we cannot insert such provision in the deed and thereby contract for the parties. Considering the deed as a whole, it appears that the parties intended that there should be no trees, structures or obstructions along the transmission line which would endanger it. Plaintiff does not contend that defendant should compensate separately for the cutting of trees and undergrowth on the right-of-way. Yet the authority to cut these is contained in the same clause which permits cutting of \u201cdanger trees\u201d outside the right-of-way. If one part of the clause is within the primary objective of the grant and supported by the recited consideration, so is the remainder of the clause. The contract is entire and indivisible. It contemplates and provides for no further payment of consideration for the rights granted. The mere right-of-way for an electric transmission line would be of little value without the right to maintain and protect the line. The parties so understood, and contracted accordingly.\nPlaintiff further contends that, at most, the parties intended and contracted that the recited consideration should cover only the cutting outside the right-of-way of the \u201cdanger trees\u201d which were in existence at the time the contract was made, and not such trees as might endanger the line in the future. By way of analogy, plaintiff cites and discusses Whitfield v. Lumber Co., 152 N.C. 211, 67 S.E. 512. That ease involves a timber deed whereby plaintiff conveyed to defendant pine trees (on certain lands) which measured \u201cfrom 12 inches square at the stump upwards.\u201d A period of fifteen years was granted for cutting and removing the trees. In the fifteenth year defendant cut and removed all trees which then conformed to the specified measurement. The Court, in construing the timber deed, held that the measurement referred to the date of the deed and not the date of cutting, and that the parties were contracting with respect to the trees which were of the specified measurement at the time the contract was made. However, Whitfield is no authority for plaintiff\u2019s position here. The language of the easement deed settles the contention. Defendant is granted the right \u201cto cut and keep clear of said line\u201d the danger trees. The expression \u201ckeep clear,\u201d when taken in its natural and ordinary sense, imports a continuing future right.\nPlaintiff also contends that the portion of the easement deed which provides for the cutting of \u201cdanger trees\u201d outside the right-of-way, without providing for separate, additional and continuing compensation therefor, is against public policy and void. It relies on G.S. 40-8 and Power Co. v. Wissler, 160 N.C. 269, 76 S.E. 267. G.S. 40-8 provides that a corporation \u201centitled to exercise eminent domain may, at any time, enter on . . . any lands (adjacent to its property or right-of-way), and cut, dig, and take therefrom any wood . . .\u201d for the purpose of constructing, operating, repairing, enlarging or altering its works. In the Wissler case the Power Company undertook by condemnation to acquire the right to cut \u201cdanger trees\u201d outside its right-of-way. The Power Company had theretofore acquired its right-of-way by condemnation. The Court held that by virtue of Revisal, s. 2576 (now G.S. 40-8) the power of condemnation was not confined to a right-of-way, delimited by surface boundaries, and that the Power Company \u201cshould be allowed to condemn the right to cut these trees, paying for this right and privilege, as in other cases, the value of the trees cut and the damage done to the land . . . .\u201d Plaintiff asserts that the quoted excerpt from the opinion declares a public policy which requires payment of the value of \u201cdanger trees,\u201d when cut. It is true that agreements, the performance of which violates statutory provisions relating to the subject, are against public policy, and agreements against public policy are void. Cauble v. Trexler, 227 N.C. 307, 42 S.E. 2d 77. But the Wissler case decides and declares only that the right to cut the trees, not having been acquired when the right-of-way was condemned, and not having been paid for in the first proceeding, could not in the subsequent proceeding be taken without compensation. Plaintiff construes the language, as to compensation, to mean, that payment shall be made when cutting is done and damage is inflicted. While not necessary to decision here, the better construction is that compensation is to be presently made in a lump sum under the established rule for measuring damages in condemnation proceedings. In the Wissler case the right-of-way and the right to cut trees could have been condemned in one proceeding. Had the parties been willing to contract with respect thereto, these rights could have been acquired by easement deed upon such consideration as was agreeable. The agreement in the instant case violates no public policy, statutory or otherwise. It is only when the parties cannot agree that condemnation proceedings may be instituted. G.S. 40-11, Proctor v. Highway Commission, 230 N.C. 687, 691, 55 S.E. 2d 479. The law favors the settlement of these matters by contract rather than through litigation. In the instant case McMillan agreed to burden his land for a consideration agreeable to him. Plaintiff acquired the land with full notice of the burden, and it is to be supposed that this burden was taken into consideration in determining the price to be paid by plaintiff for the land.\nPlaintiff\u2019s final contention seems to be that the consideration was inadequate, that there will be almost continuous cutting of trees along an extensive segment of the right-of-way, and defendant is authorized to alter its \u201cline of structure\u201d and may thereby increase the burden. But as we stated above, when parties have dealt at arms length and contracted, the Court cannot relieve one of them because the contract has proven to be a hard one. Whether or not the consideration is adequate to the promise, is generally immaterial in the absence of fraud. Young v. Highway Commission, 190 N.C. 52, 57, 128 S.E. 401. Furthermore, plaintiff is in no position to question the adequacy of consideration.\nThe judgment below is\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "MooRE, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Norman, Rodman & Hutchins for plaintiff.", "A. Y. Arledge and Charles F. Rouse for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY v. CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY\n(Filed 10 October 1962.)\n1. Easements \u00a7 8; Contracts \u00a7 12\u2014\nA deed conveying an easement constitutes a contract to be construed according to tbe general rules governing tbe construction of contracts in ascertaining tbe intent of tbe parties as to tbe extent of tbe easement conveyed.\n2. Same\u2014\nIn construing tbe extent of an easement conveyed by deed, tbe primary purpose is to ascertain tbe intention of tbe parties at the time of the execution of the instrument as gathered from its language read contextually and not in detached portions, considered in the light of the purposes sought to be accomplished, the subject matter of the contract, and the situation of the parties.\n3. Same\u2014\nWhere the language of an easement deed is unambiguous, effect must be given to its terms taken in their plain, ordinary and popular sense, and the court may not, under the guise of construction, reject language inserted by the parties, or insert language which the parties elected to omit, or grant relief merely because the contract is a hard one.\n4. Same\u2014 Deed held to convey right to cut such trees outside of easement which endangered transmission line.\nThe easement deed in question, in consideration of a stipulated sum, conveyed a one hundred foot right-of-way for a transmission line and provided that the grantee should have the right to cut trees and undergrowth on the right-of-way and to cut trees outside the right-of-way which in falling might endanger the transmission line. Held: Under the terms of the instrument the grantee is entitled to cut trees outside the right-of-way which endanger the line without paying additional compensation therefor, and further, the grant of such right is a continuing one and cannot be construed as limited to those trees which endangered the transmission line at the time the instrument was executed.\n5. Same\u2014\nWhile a contract against public policy, or a contract which involves a violation of statutory provisions in its performance, is void, the law favors the acquisition by public service companies of necessary rights-of-way by agreement rather than by condemnation, and therefore provision in an easement contract that the grantee should have the right to cut trees outside the right-of-way when such trees endanger the transmission line is valid, there being no public policy that the grantee in the continuing exercise of such easement should pay for trees endangering its line as such trees are cut. G.S. 40-8, G.S. 40-11.\n6. Basements \u00a7 8; Contracts \u00a7 4\u2014\nWhere an easement deed provides a legal consideration for the right-of-way acquired, which easement includes a continuing right to cut trees outside of the right-of-way which endanger .the transmission line, the fact that the consideration may be inadequate to the continuing exercise of such right does not render the instrument void, since whether the consideration is adequate to the promise is generally immaterial in the absence of fraud.\nAppeal by plaintiff from Mints, J., April 1962 Term of PendeR.\nThis is a controversy without action (G.S. 1-250) for construction of a provision of a grant of easement.\nFrom an adverse judgment, plaintiff appeals.\nNorman, Rodman & Hutchins for plaintiff.\nA. Y. Arledge and Charles F. Rouse for defendant." }, "file_name": "0717-01", "first_page_order": 757, "last_page_order": 762 }