Ough

In this action plaintiff seeks to recover against the two defendant corporations for services alleged to have been rendered and materials furnished in connection with the drilling of certain oil-wells and the cleaning out of a certain water well at Petaluma, California, during the year 1921.

A written contract was entered. into between plaintiff and defendants on March 9, 1921, wherein it is provided that plaintiff is to place on the ground a complete Star drilling outfit capable of drilling at least 1200 feet, and as soon as the outfit is on the ground, to set it up with all possible speed consistent with careful work and commence to drill for oil; plaintiff to receive $35 per day for each working day of eight hours so long as the work shall continue, such, payments to be made at the end of each period of ten days; the company to furnish certain materials and reserving the right to discontinue the work at any time, in which event the compensation of plaintiff ceases; on execution of the contract the company paid plaintiff $1,000 on account.

Plaintiff commenced work under this contract and continued the work until about January 24, 1922, at which time he was notified by…