Northern Milling Co. v. Davis

178 Wis. 493 | Wis. | 1922

Vinje, C. J.

We reach the conclusion that the answer states three good defenses. It states that the notify party presented the bills of lading properly indorsed in blank by the plaintiff to whom they were issued; that the notify party made disposition of the cars; and that defendant complied with such disposition. That constituted a delivery of the flour, and defendant’s duty as a carrier ceased. The federal Uniform Bills of Lading Act passed in 1916 governs the shipment. Secs. 8 and 9 of the act (39 U. S. Stats, at Large, 539, ch. 415) provide:

“Sec. 8. That a carrier, in the absence of some lawful excuse, is bound to deliver goods upon a demand made either' by the consignee named in the bill for-the goods or, if the bill is an order bill, by the holder thereof, if such a demand is accompanied by . . . (b) Possession of the bill of lading and an offer in good faith to surrender,'properly indorsed, the bill which was issued for the goods, if the bill is an order bill; and . . . sec. 9. That a carrier is justified, subject to the provisions of the three following sections, in delivering goods to one who is . . . (a) a person lawfully-entitled to the possession of the goods, or (b) the consignee named in a straight bill for the goods, or (c) a person in possession of an order bill for the goods, by the terms of which the goods are deliverable to his order; or which has been indorsed to him, or in blank by the consignee, or by the mediate or immediate indorsee of the consignee.”

It will thus be seen that the carrier was bound to' deliver the flour to the notify party upon its presenting to it the bills of lading properly indorsed. The fact that the flour was stored in a warehouse and- the warehouse receipts wére kept by the carrier as security for the payment of the freight and the fact that the notify party afterwards refused to receive the flour from the plaintiff could not and did not affect the question of delivery. That was complete when the proper party — the notify .party in possession of the bills of lading — received disposition of the flour as ordered by it. Under the facts stated'in the answer, the defendant was not only justified in delivering the flour to the notify party under sec. 9, the case not coming within the exception mentioned, but it was bound to deliver it under the provisions of sec. 8. There having been a complete delivery to the proper party, it follows that there was no one to> notify of a failure to deliver. The refusal to accept the flour from the plaintiff came long after the carrier had made a proper and complete delivery of it. Its lien for freight did not prevent a complete delivery from being made under the provisions of the shipping act. That was a separate and subsequent transaction between the notify party and the carrier.

It is undisputed that more than two years and one day had elapsed between the delivery of the flour and the bringing of the action. This is the limitation provided for in the bills of lading and such limitations are valid. Missouri, K. & T. R. Co. v. Harriman, 227 U. S. 657, 33 Sup. Ct. 397. The Cummins amendment to the Carmack amendment (Act of March 4, 1915, 38 U. S. Stats, at Large, 1196, ch. 176) provides: “That it shall be unlawful for any such common carrier to provide by rule, contract, regulation, or otherwise a shorter period for giving notice of claims than ninety days and for the filing of claims for a shorter period than four months, and for the institution of suits than two years.” The limitations of the bills of lading were not less than the minimum provided for by law. But the question arises whether the federal act of February 28, 1920 (41 U. S. Stats, at Large, 461, ch. 91), enlarges the time for bringing the action. The act reads:

“Sec. 206. (a) [Actions against agent of President— Period of limitation — Courts having jurisdiction.'] Actions at law, suits in equity and proceedings in admiralty, based on causes of action arising out of the possession, use, or operation by the President of the railroad or system of transportation of any carrier (under the provisions of the federal Control Act, or. of the act of August 29, 1916) of such character as prior to federal control could have been brought against such carrier, may, after the termination of federal control, be brought against an agent designated by the President for such purpose, which agent shall be designated by the President within thirty days after the passage of this act. Such actions, suits, or proceedings may, within the periods of limitation now prescribed by state or federal statutes but not later than two years from the date of the passage of this act, be brought in any court which but for federal control would have had jurisdiction of the cause of action had it arisen against such carrier.”

The trial court held that the effect of the act was to permit all actions mentioned therein to be brought at any time within two years after the passage of the act. We do not so construe it. The language, “Such actions . . . may, within the periods of limitation now prescribed by state or federal statutes, but not later than two years from the date of the passage of this act, be brought,” etc., leaves the periods of limitations prescribed by state or federal statutes to govern provided they do not extend beyond two years from the date of passage of the act. It was the intent of Congress to limit and not to extend the time of bringing such actions. State or federal laws were to govern if they did not extend thé time of bringing actions beyond two years from its passage; if they did, then this act limited them to two years from its passage. Having held that the delivery of the flour was made in October, 1918, it follows that the claim for damages made in November, 1919, was not filed within six months as provided for in the bill of lading.

By the Court. — Order reversed, and cause remanded with directions to overrule the demurrer to the answer.