Dooley v. New York Central & Hudson River Railroad

Opinion by Tresler, J., In view of the verdict of the jury in favor of the plaintiff, we must accept his version of the transaction. A soda fountain was delivered to the defendant, a common carrier, to be transported by it, and turned over to the consignee at destination. It was to be bought by the consignee after it was put up in his store in good condition and ready for use. No title passed and no liability was imposed upon the intending purchasers, until the soda fountain was delivered, “put up in good running order.” It was damaged in transit and the consignor brought suit for his loss. Did he have the right to maintain the action? “In the absence of an agreement to the contrary when a vendor sells goods to a vendee residing at a distance, a delivery of the goods to a carrier for transportation is a delivery to the purchaser, And especially is this true when a bill of lading [240] naming the purchaser as consignee is transmitted to and received by the purchaser. The delivery to the carrier vests the title to the property in the purchaser, and the risks of transportation must be assumed by him. This rule, however, does not obtain where the parties have otherwise stipulated in their agreement. If it is the intention of the parties, and it so appears from the contract, that delivery is to take place at the destination of the property, and that the title is to remain in the consignor until that time, then delivery to the carrier does not divest the title of the vendor to the property, nor pass it to the purchaser, until it reaches its destination, and the hazards of transportation are at the risk of the consignor. It, therefore, becomes a question in cases of this character as to where the delivery of the goods is to be made and when the title is to pass to the purchaser. If the facts are not in dispute it is a question of law for the court, but if the evidence is conflicting the question must be determined by a jury: Dannemiller v. Kirkpatrick, 201 Pa. 224.” See also Miller v. Seaman, 176 Pa. 291; Sloss-Sheffield Co. v. Tacony Iron Co., 54 Pa. Superior Ct. 12; Braddock Glass Co. v. Irwin & Co., 153 Pa. 440 (443). There was some dispute as to when the title actually passed, and this required a submission to the jury. The action is in assumpsit. Defendant contends that trespass was the proper form of action. For negligence by a common carrier in transporting goods entrusted to it, the shipper may at his election bring either an action ex contractu or an action ex delicto: Eckert v. Penn. R. R. Co., 211 Pa. 267 (277); Stanton v. P. & R. R. Co., 236 Pa. 419. The assignments of error are overruled, The judgment is affirmed.