Standard Industries, Inc. v. Alexander Smith, Inc.

The suit below was a bill by a landlord, Standard Industries, Inc., seeking a declaration that a lease between it and Alexander Smith, Inc., tenant, was binding until the expiration of its stated term, June 30, 1956. In August, 1955, the property was flooded during the passage of Hurricane Connie and the tenant, claiming that resulting damage justified the action, cancelled the lease. The case was tried in open court and on the third day of the trial, the tenant asked and received leave to amend its answer to add a prayer for loss of rent sustained by it when its sub-tenant cancelled its…