Bivens Bros. v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

ClaRK, C. J. On 30 January, 1917, E. E. L. Brown delivered to tbe defendant seventeen bags of sweet potatoes of tbe value of $21.15 for shipment to plaintiffs via Florence and Wadesboro. They arrived at Monroe on 6 February in a frozen and worthless condition. There is no conflict in tbe evidence. Tbe potatoes were delivered at Cbadbourn, 10 a. m., 30 January, in first-class condition and were loaded promptly. They were delivered by tbe defendant to S. A. L. E. E. at Wadesboro, N. C., on 5 February. It is only 121 miles from Cbadbourn to Wades-boro via Florence. It is not in evidence that Florence was a transfer point or that tbe potatoes were transferred there. Tbe defendant owned tbe line from Cbadbourn, via Florence, to Wadesboro. Tbe weather was normal up to tbe night of 3 February, when there was a sudden drop in temperature, whereby tbe potatoes were frozen and rendered worthless. Tbe letters “O. E. F.” were written across tbe face of tbe bill of lading, and one witness testified these letters meant “Owner’s risk of freezing,” but there was no evidence that tbe shipper was given any reduction in rate on account of tbis provision being inserted. Besides, if tbe damage was caused by tbe defendant’s negligence, it could not stipulate against its liability therefor, since tbe Cummins Amendment, wbicb is but a recognition of tbe formerly universally recognized law (till some late decisions) that a common carrier cannot stipulate against liabilities for damages caused by its own negligence. In tbe evidence, there is no explanation of tbe unreasonable delay of seven days in transporting tbe potatoes 121 miles from Cbadbourn to Wadesboro, nor evidence of any care by tbe defendant to protect tbe *416 potatoes from tbe freezing cold. In view of tbe perishable nature of tbis freight, it should have been delivered at Wadesboro (121 miles) long before tbe freeze on tbe night of 3 February. Tbis is not an action for a penalty. But even if it bad been, tbis is an interstate shipment, to which tbe penalty prescribed by Revisal, 2632, does not apply. Marble Co. v. R. R., 147 N. C., 53. There was no delay at Cbadbourn, where they were loaded promptly. And tbe jury were certainly justified in finding that they should have been delivered to tbe Seaboard at Wadesboro, 121 miles away, by 2 February, which would have been seventy-two hours to traverse 121 miles. If delivered that day to the Seaboard, they should have reached their destination at Monroe that night or next day before the freeze. The stipulation-“O. R. F.” on the bill of lading could not release the company for any damages caused by its negligence. McNeill v. R. R., 135 N. C., 682 ; Parker v. R. R., 131 N. C., 827; Ib., 133 N. C., 336. This rule has since been adopted by Congress, U. S. Compiled Statutes (1916), par. 8, 604a (being the Cummins Amendment, ratified 9 August, 1916, ch. 301), and restoring the common-law rule. It was the duty of the defendant not only to transport the potatoes within a reasonable time, but also in a proper car, considering the season. Forrester v. R. R., 147 N. C., 553, which was a shipment of fruit. The burden was upon the defendant to “exculpate itself from liability for damage to goods in transit because it has the best opportunity of knowing and proving how the injury occurred.” Peele v. R. R., 149 N. C., 393. In McGraw v. R. R., 18 W. Va., 361, it was held: “Freezing weather cannot he deemed the act of God, and the carrier is liable unless he has been guilty of no negligence or misconduct by which loss or damage may have been occasioned. The mode of conveyance, the distance, the nature of the goods, the season of the year, and the character of the weather are all matters entering into the consideration of what was a reasonable time.” In that case the potatoes were delivered to the carrier on 13 February, to be shipped the next day. The weather was mild, and so-continued on the 14th. When they reached their destination, a distance of 104 miles, on the 16th they were frozen and worthless. The weather turned cold on the 15th, and the Court held that the carrier was liable. We find no error in the charge, which correctly instructed the jury-that the plaintiff must satisfy them that the negligence of the defendant was the proximate cause of the injury. The case below was tried by both sides upon the theory that the potatoes were a total loss. The defendant excepts because the issue submitted was simply, “Is *417 tbe defendant indebted to tbe plaintiff; and if so, in wbat amount?” Tbis issue, taken in connection, witb tbe charge, presented clearly tbe question whether tbe defendant was guilty of negligence, and if so, was it tbe proximate cause of tbe injury and tbe amount of tbe damage. Tbe issues are sufficient if, as here, all phases of tbe matter in controversy can be presented. Carr v. Alexander, 169 N. C., 665. No error.