Groot v. Oregon Short Line R.

96 P. 1019 | Utah | 1908

PRICK, J.

This is an action for damages, alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the defendants, as common carriers, in transporting' twelve carloads of sheep from Soda Springs, Idaho, to Omaha, Nebraska. The complaint consisted of two causes of action, one for damages to seven carloads of lambs, ewes, and wethers belonging to plaintiffs, and the other for five car loads of lambs owned by one H. C. Gorton, who assigned his claim to the plaintiffs before the bringing of this action. The answers of the defendants were, in effect, general denials. Tbe evidence developed at tbe trial, wbicb supported tbe allegations of tbe complaint, very briefly stated, tended to establish tbe following facts: That tbe sbeep owned by plaintiffs were mutton sbeep in good condition, consisting of nearly 2,800 bead of lambs, 600 or 100 bead of wethers, and about fifty bead of ewes amounting to a little over 3,500 bead in all. Mr. Gorton’s sbeep' were likewise shown to have been in good condition for mutton, and were 1,300 or 1,400 in number; that- tbe whole number of lambs and sheep were delivered to tbe defendant Oregon Short Line Railway Company, in tbe condition stated above, at Soda Springs, Idaho, and were there loaded into twelve cars to be transported to Chicago, Ill., for sale on tbe market. Tbe train with tbe sbeep departed from Soda Springs at about 6 o’clock p. m. on tbe 18th day of October, 1906. Tbe sbeep were delivered to and received by tbe Union Pacific Railroad Company, after having been transported from Soda Springs, Idaho, at Granger, Wyo., wbicb place is 141 miles east of Soda Springs.' Tbe Union Pacific Railroad Company received these sbeep at Granger, for tbe purpose of transporting them to their destination. It does not appear from tbe evidence at what time tbe sheep' arrived at Granger, but it does appear that they arrived at Rawlins, Wyo., at about 2 o’clock a. m. on tbe 20th day of October following. Raw-lins was tbe first stopping place to rest, feed, and water tbe sbeep. .The sheep' could not be unloaded for that purpose, however, until about 6 o’clock on tbe morning of tbe 20th of October. It is further made to1 appear that the sheep-yards at Rawlins were not in very good condition to feed tbe sheep, and that the lambs did not eat much food at that place. Tbe time consumed between Soda Springs and Rawlins, up to tbe time the sbeep were unloaded to be fed, was thirty-six hours, and tbe distance between tbe two points is 310 miles. Tbe sheep were reloaded at Rawlins, and started east at about 1 o ’clock of tbe evening of tbe 20th of October', and tbe next feeding point was at Sidney, Neb., wbicb is 216 miles east of Rawlins. Tbe train arrived at Sidney about noon on the 22d day of October, consuming about fifty-three hours since leaving Rawlins. In making tbe run from Rawlins to Sidney tbe train was stopped for about seven hours at Cheyenne, and about three hours some distance west of Sidney. The feedyards at Sidney were cattle yards, not prepared for sheep, and the testimony discloses that the man in charge of the yards informed plaintiff that there was not sufficient room nor feed for the sheep'. The watering troughs were constructed for cattle, and were too high for watering the sheep conveniently. A severe snowstorm started after the train had arrived at Sidney, and in feeding the sheep on the ground they did not get sufficient food, and plaintiffs could only obtain about two-thirds of the amount of hay required toi feed, on the 22d of October. The storm continued during the day of the 23d, and the snow drifted and caused the sheep to be covered up in the feedyard and about two-hundred head were smothered, or died from other causes. On and after the 23d of October plaintiffs could obtain no food at Sidney for the sheep- except some'straw, which the testimony tended to show is unfit food for sheep, and that they will eat it only when starving. The sheep remained at Sidney in practically this condition until abo-ut 11 o’clock on the 25th of October, when they were reloaded and started east again, and arrived at Grand Island, Neb., at about noon of the 26th of October, where they were stopped for feeding for about twenty-four hours. The next run was from Grand Island to Valley, where the sheep were again fed, after which they were transported to Omaha, arriving there on the morning of the 31st of October, more than twelve days after leaving Soda Springs, and after going a distance of about 1,000 miles. The usual time consumed in making this run the testimony shows is from four to six days, including stoppage for rest and feed. In making the run ordinarily two stops for rest and feed have to be made of about twelve hours each. On this trip four stops were made in the manner above stated.

The testimony further shows that when the sheep left Soda Springs the average weight of the lambs was seventy-two pounds, that of the ewes about 115 pounds, and of the wethers about 105 pounds a head. "When they arrived at Ornaba tbe average weight of tbe lambs was 61 1-2 pounds, of tbe ewes ninety-three pounds, and of tbe wethers eighty-nine pounds a bead; tbat the normal shrinkage in shipping sheepi of the kind in question, for tbe distance named, is from four to six pounds a bead. It further appears tbat, owing to tbe delay in transportation, tbe sheep could not be carried to Chicago, but bad to be marketed at Omaha, where plaintiff’s lambs were sold for $3.83, the wethers for $4.88, and the ewes for $3.32 a bead. Tbe average price for Mr. Gorton’s lambs was $3.15 a bead. The evidence also tended to show that if tbe sheep bad been transported with reasonable dispatch, and in tbe usual time required for tbe distance traveled, tbe snowstorm at Sidney would not have been encountered, and tbat there would have been adequate feed and accommodation for tbe sheep farther east, and tbat tbe price of mutton derived from sheep which bad suffered excessive shrinkage was twenty-five cents less a hundred than for tbe mutton tbat would have been produced from sheep- such as plaintiffs’ would have been if they had been transported in the usual time, and had received proper feed and treatment while in transit; tbat plaintiffs were compelled to expend the sum of $204 for extra feed, which was required for tbe sheep by reason of tbe delay in transportation, and tbat tbe loss and damage to plaintiff's, caused by reason of tbe matters aforesaid, amounted, for both causes of action, with legal' interest, to the sum of $4,536.28.

We remark'here tbat tbe evidence of tbe experts, with respect to the effect tbat tbe excessive shrinkage of tbe sheep produced on tbe mutton for food, and as to tbe effect it bad on tbe price, was admitted over tbe objections of tbe de-_ fendants. Tbe defendants offered no evidence in their behalf, and when tbe plaintiffs rested, tbe court directed tbe jury to find for the defendant Oregon Short Line Railway Company, and submitted, the case to the jury as against tbe defendant Union Pacific Railway Company only. Tbe jury found for tbe plaintiffs, for tbe full amount stated above, against tbe Union Pacific Railway Company. Tbe court entered judgment on this verdict, and said company appeals, mating tbe Oregon Short Line itailway Company a party in this court. Tbe Union Pacific Pailway Company will hereafter be designated as appellant where that company is referred to. Of the errors assigned we shall discuss only such as are deemed material.

The first alleged error relates to certain depositions which were offered by plaintiffs, and admitted over the objections of the defendants. The depositions were taken upon stipulations, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 41, Laws Utah 1905, p. 39, which provides a method for taking depositions, upon oral examination, of witnesses who are nonresidents of or are absent from the state. Subdivisions 3 and 4 of the act provide that the certificate of the officer taking the deposition must, among other things, substantially show:

“(3) That the deposition was¡ written or taken in the presence of the officer certifying thereto, at the time and place specified in the notice. (4) That the deposition was read by or to the witness and corrected and subscribed by him in the presence of said officer.”

One of the depositions objected to was taken before a notary public at Omaha, Nebraska, and the other at Chicago, Illinois, before a similar officer. -Both of the depositions were taken upon oral examination, the attorneys for the respective parties being present to examine and cross-examine the witnesses. It was stipulated between the attorneys that the testimony of the witnesses should be taken in shorthand by a stenographer and by him transcribed in longhand, which was done. The contention of appellant’s counsel is that the depositions were not admissible in evidence, because the officer taking the same did not certify, as required by the provisions of the statute above quoted, in that the certificate did not state that the depositions were read to or by the witnesses, and corrected by them, and thereafter subscribed in the presence of the officer taking the same. As to the deposition taken at Omaha, it was specially stipulated that after the testimony of the witness ‘ Las been transcribed, the said notary, W. C. Lambert, may sign the same for said witness, John Smith, and transmit the same to said court (the district court of Weber county, Utah, to be used as evidence, as provided in the statute, and subject to all the objections, except the form of interrogatories, which might be made were the witness present in court to testify.” The notary who took the deposition at Chicago certified that the deposition “was by me carefully read to the witness, and corrected by him, and then subscribed by him in my presence.” The officer who took the deposition in Nebraska, with respect to this point, certified that the deposition “was subscribed by the witness in my presence, and was taken at the time and place as in the attached stipulation specified.”

The statute above referred to simply requires that the certificate of the notary public shall substantially show the facts above quoted. It seems to us that, in view of the stipulations of the attorneys, and the facts certified to, there was a substantial compliance with the statute, except that in the Omaha deposition it did not appear that the deposition was either read by or to the witness, and that an opportunity was given him to make corrections. But we think that the-reading of the deposition to or by the witness was substantially waived by the stipulation. If the reading by or to him was waived, the making of corrections was also waived, as an- incident of waiving the reading. The statutory provision above referred to is not to be construed so as to- prohibit a party from, waiving any of the matters therein required. But in any event the objection to the depositions was not made until the trial had begun and was in progress. The objection, if it had been timely made, and if fatal, could have been obviated by the retaking of the deposition. Nor was the objection aimed at the competency of either the witness or the testimony, but was directed at a matter of authentication merely. The usual rule in this respect is that an objection of this character comes too late if not taken before trial. Such an objection should be made by motion to suppress the deposition. This court has so held in the case of American Publishing Co. v. Moyne Co., 9 Utah 318, 34 Pac. 247. This holding is in accordance with the general rule upon the subject. (Doane v. Glenn, 21 Wall. [U. S.] 33, 22 L. Ed. 476; Ency. Pl. & Pr. 591, 593.) Tbe statute above quoted from neither modifies nor obviates this general rule. This objection, therefore, cannot be sustained.

Another objection is that the court erred in admitting the evidence relating to the effect the excessive shrinkage had upon the mutton for food, and the effect thereof upon the market price of the sheep. This objection is based upon the contention that no such issue was presented by the complaint. The allegations of the complaint in this regard are that the sheep- ‘ ‘ shrunk in flesh and lost weight to the damage of these plaintiffs,’ ’ etc. That the sheep did unduly shrink in flesh and lost in weight as we have shown, was not controverted, but it is insisted that the evidence with regard to the effect the shrinkage had upon the mutton for food, introduced an element into the case not pleaded. We think otherwise. The effect upon the mutton, if any, was a mere incident or result of the shrinkage. If this shrinkage affected the value of the mutton, and consequently the price that could be obtained for the sheep- in the market, it was a loss directly attributable to the excessive shrinkage which was caused by the delay and want of care of the sheep in transporting them to market. We think the allegations of the complaint were sufficient to admit the evidence', and further that the evidence upon this question was proper.

It is next urged that the court erred in admitting the evidence with regard to the scarcity of food, and the character thereof, that was obtainable, and the condition of the feed-yards and country surrounding them along the way. As to the first, it is said that it was not the duty of appellant to either provide food or water, or to feed the sheep-, but that it was the duty of the plaintiffs bo- provide the one and do the other. In this regard we are not informed what the terms of the shipping contract were, if any was entered into. The action, however, is one for a tort, and not for a breach of contract. When the appellant accepted the sheep at Granger, Wyoming, for transportation for such a long distance, it became its duty to stop at reasonable intervals, and to provide reasonable facilities for resting, ’ feeding, and watering the sheep. To say that it discharged this duty if it stopped at any place or places along the route where there ■were no such facilities or where neither food nor water was obtainable, because it was incumbent upon the plaintiffs to pay for such food and to feed and water such sheep, is tantamount to saying that the duty imposed is merely á matter of form. If it was the duty of appellant to stop- at reasonable intervals to rest, feed, and water the sheep, this duty was not discharged, unless appellant stopped af places where food and water were obtainable. It would- be needless to impose such a duty if it were not for the purpose of feeding and watering the sheep that are being transported. They could not be fed nor watered without reasonable facilities to do so-, nor unless food and water 'vVas obtainable. The appellant had it' entirely within its power to arrange. for stopping places, and to mate them at points where both food and water were to be had. Moreover, this was an interstate shipment for which a federal statute imposed the duty upon appellant to stop at reasonable intervals to rest, feed, and watei\ the sheep; and, although plaintiffs may have agreed to provide food and water at their own expense, and to feed and w'ater the sheep, yet if, notwithstanding such an agreement, plaintiffs failed to provide food and water, and to feed and water the sheep; it was appellant’s duty to' do so. If there was such an agreement, or without it, appellant no doubt, would have had a claim upon the sheep- for any reasonable amount expended for food and care.

It ,Was also the duty of appellant to transport the sheep with reasonable dispatch, and not to unavoidably delay them in transportation. If an unavoidable delay was caused by something beyond the control of appellant, it nevertheless was its duty to make reasonable efforts to carry the sheep to some point where reasonable facilities to feed and where food and water were obtainable. The evidence in this case is to- the effect that the delay was unusual and unreásonable; that' the stops were made -during' the first 8 or 9 days-, at places where the facilities to feed and water the sheep were inadequate, and the food obtainable was insufficient, and at times unfit for them to eat. The appellant offered no explanation with regard to these things, and the only defense offered is that it was not the duty of appellant either to provide food or water, or to feed or water the sheep. This defense is one not admissible under the law, as the following cases clearly demonstrate: Lowenstein & Thomas v. Wabash Ry. Co., 63 Mo. App. 68; Ft. Worth & D. C. Ry. Co. v. Daggett, 87 Tex. 322, 28 S. W. 525; Gulf, C. & S. F. Ry. Co. v. Gann, 8 Tex. Civ. App. 620, 28 S. W. 349; Smith v. Railroad Co., 100 Mich. 148, 58 N. W. 651, 43 Am. St. Rep. 440; Wabash, St. L. & P. Ry. Co. v. Pratt, 15 Ill. App. 177; Toledo W. & W. Ry. Co. v. Hamilton, 76 Ill. 393; Toledo W. & W. Ry. Co. v. Thompson, 71 Ill. 434; Brockway v. American Express Co., 168 Mass. 257, 47 N. E. 87; Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co. v. Allen, 75 Kan. 190, 88 Pac. 966, 10 L. R. A. (N. S.) 576. Moreover, the court, in substance, instructed the jury that it was not the duty of the appellant to provide food for the sheep, nor to fee^. and water them, but that it was the duty of the plaintiffs to do this, but that it was the duty of appellant to provide reasonable facilities to feed and water, and to stop at such points as would afford plaintiffs a reasonable opportunity to obtain food and water for and to feed the sheep. While counsel took proper exceptions to these instructions, they' did not assail them in their argument in this court, nor have they cited any authorities that such is not the law.

The contention that it was error to allow the item of $204 for extra food is likewise untenable. This extra food was required, for the sole reason that the transportation was unusually and avoidably delayed by the appellant. If this be so (and it was in no manner controverted nor explained by appellant), why should not plaintiffs recover back what they were required to expend because of the negligent delay in transportation? Nothing was allowed for feed for the time in which the trip was usually made. Allowance was made for the overtime merely. We are of the opinion that there was no error committed in allowing for food required for tbe sheep during the excessive time.

The further contention is made that the court erred in directing the jury to find for the Oregon Short Line Railway Company. There is no claim that the cars provided hy that company were not proper, nor any evidence that any- delay or injury occurred while the sheep were in its charge. There was no evidence of negligence therefore, upon which a finding or judgment against that company could be based. Moreover, as we have pointed out, this is an action for toft. The plaintiffs, therefore, could sue any one or more of the joint tort-feasors, if there were, in fact, more than one. The plaintiffs could'likewise, at any time before judgment, have dismissed the action as to one, and have proceeded against the other alone. The court could also dismiss the action, with the consent of the plaintiffs, as to one tort-feasor, and we know of no reason why the other can complain. Where any other rule is invoked, it applies only after judgment. A plaintiff need not prosecute all joint tort-feasors; and, as a general rule, so long as he does not release or discharge any one without the consent of the other, neither can complain.

Another, alleged error assigned, and which arose during the progress of the trial, is as follows: The second cause of action is based upon an assigned claim, which was owned by one H. C. Gorton. The assignment of the claim was in writing, and, both the defendants having denied the assignment, the plaintiffs offered the writing in evidence at the trial. The writing contains certain statements with respect to the value of the sheep, the amount of the loss, and, further, that the assignor considered the claim “true and just.” These statements were not proper to go before the jury as evidence. Appellant’s counsel objected to the introduction of the whole writing, upon the ground that the statements above referred to were improper. The court suggested that the writing be admitted simply as proof of the assignment, and that it need not be read to the jury. Counsel for appellant did not consent to this suggestion, and the court then admitted the whole writing in evidence, with the exception of the statement that the claim was “true and just,” and announced that he would cover the matter by an instruction to the jury. The court did instruct the jury, in a special instruction, to disregard all matters in the written assignment, except the matter that the claim owned by Mr. Gorton was by him assigned and transferred to the plaintiffs. Appellant’s counsel excepted to the ruling of the court in this behalf, and now insists that the court erred. While the statements of fact in the writing were not proper as evidence against either one of the defendants, that part constituting the assignment of the claim was proper. The whole trouble with counsels’ claim is that they did not at the time point out and limit their objections to the vulnerable parts of the assignment. Had they done this, and the court had then ruled against them, they might be in a position to now urge the ruling as being erroneotts. It is not ordinarily the duty of the court, when a document or paper is offered as a whole, which contains both proper and improper matter, to segregatfe the one from the other; but, as a general rule, such duty is imposed upon the objecting party, and he must point out and direct his objection against the part or parts that are not proper. In this case it would have been an easy matter for either court or counsel to segregate the proper from ¿he improper matter, and to allow only that which -was proper to go to the jury. In view, however, that counsel did not do this, the court was not obliged to do it, and therefore committed no prejudicial error in admitting the assignment in evidence. If under such circumstances an attorney desires to avail himself of an objection to the whole document, he must make a double objection, one to the part which is in fact improper, and the other to the instrument as a whole, and save his exceptions to the ruling of the court. The practice with regard to such an objection is discussed and applied in a case decided at this term, namely, State v. Greene, 33 Utah 497, 94 Pac. 987, and we shall do no more than to refer to that case.

We are also of the opinion that the instruction of the court with respect to the statements contained in the assignment was sufficient. This question, and the effect of such instructions, we have also passed upon at this term in the case of Loofbourow v. Utahi Light & Power Co., 33 Utah. 480, 94 Pac. 981, and we shall not enlarge upon what is there said upon the subject. We remark, however, that in view of the whole evidence in this case, appellant could not in any possible way have been prejudiced, by the statements contained in the assignment. The’ evidence at the trial which was not controverted by the defendants was such that, if the plaintiffs were entitled to recover as a matter of law,.the jury could not have found the facts otherwise than they did. ' In no event, therefore, was there any prejudicial error with respect to this matter.

All the other assignments are substantially covered by what has been said, and no special discussion of any of them is deemed necessary.

The judgment is therefore affirmed, with costs to' respondents..

McOABTY, C. J., and STEAUP, J., concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Groot v. Oregon Short Line R.

Court Name: Utah Supreme Court

Date Published: Jul 18, 1908

Citation: 96 P. 1019

Docket Number: No. 1911

Court Abbreviation: Utah