American Cast Iron Pipe Co. v. Atlantic, Gulf & Pac. S. S. Corp.

CALL, District Judge. In this cause the amended libel is filed to recover damages alleged to have accrued by reason of the breach of a contract to furnish ships to transport iron pipe from the port of Mobile to certain Pacific ports. Under the Interstate Commerce Act (Comp. St. § 8563 et seq.), such a contract is exempt from its operation. There is nothing in the amended libel to show that the shipment was to be a continuous one from Birmingham to the Pacific Coast, or that a through bill of lading was issued by the carrier receiving the iron pipe for transportation to Mobile. On the other hand, it seems to me that the allegations of the amended libel, when properly construed, allege that, in so far as the transportation of the iron pipe is by water, the shipment originates at Mobile. The terms of the Interstate Commerce Act do not apply to the contract alleged in the pleading. The exceptions, in so far as they go to the cause of action, rely upon the terms of this act and the acts amendatory thereto for their force. Any question of damages may be settled upon the final hearing of the cause, after proofs are taken.