Brenneman

This action was brought by the plaintiff to recover the sum of $3,250 for commissions alleged to be due under a contract by defendants. The evidence shows that in January, 1922, and for some time thereafter, the defendant Lane was the owner of a large apartment house in Hollywood, known as the Hillview Apartments. Through his agent, the defendant, Norman, he had contracted an exchange with one J. M. Neeland for orchard property in the Sacramento Valley, and for a lot in the Morris Vineyard tract on Hill Street, Los Angeles, called the Neeland lot. The transaction between Lane and Neeland was in escrow, but could not be consummated unless Neeland and Lane in some manner raised $30,000. In January, 192'2, in personal interviews had between the plaintiff and the defendants, plaintiff’s services were enlisted to attempt in some way to raise that sum of money. After negotiations with defendant Lane the plaintiff found a man by the name of A. Otis Birch, who was willing to exchange a lot that he owned in Los Angeles city at First and Hill Streets, called the Birch lot, for the Neeland lot, and advance in the transaction $35,000. Plaintiff had many interviews with the defendant parties…