In Minneapolis Gas Light Company v. Kerr Murray Manufacturing Company, the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to decide whether a contract between the two parties was valid. The Minneapolis Gas Light Company had contracted with Kerr Murray Manufacturing Company to supply gas to the company’s factory. The contract was for a period of five years and provided that the gas company would be paid a certain amount for each thousand cubic feet of gas supplied. The gas company argued that the contract was valid and enforceable, while the manufacturing company argued that the contract was void because it was not in writing. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable, even though it was not in writing. The Court reasoned that the contract was supported by consideration, was not illegal, and was not against public policy. The Court also noted that the parties had acted in reliance on the contract and that the manufacturing company had received the benefit of the gas supplied. Therefore, the Supreme Court held that the contract between the Minneapolis Gas Light Company and Kerr Murray Manufacturing Company was valid and enforceable.

In Minneapolis Gas Light Company v. Kerr Murray Manufacturing Company, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties could be enforced when one party had not performed their obligations as outlined in the agreement. The majority opinion held that because of certain conditions which were not met by either party, neither could enforce the contract against each other and it should be declared void. Justice Field dissented from this decision arguing that although both parties failed to meet some of their contractual obligations, they still had an obligation to perform those parts of the agreement which they did fulfill and thus should have been able to enforce them against each other. He argued that if contracts are allowed to become unenforceable due solely on non-performance then there would be no incentive for people or businesses entering into agreements with others since any breach would render all terms null and void regardless of how much performance has already taken place.