Chicago, St. Paul, M. & O. Ry. Co. v. Latta, 226 U.S. 519 (1913)
Syllabus
U.S. Supreme Court
Chicago, St. Paul, M. & O. Ry. Co. v. Latta, 226 U.S. 519 (1913)Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and
Omaha Railway Company v. Latta
No. 231
Argued Mach 8, 11, 1912
Reargued October 22, 23, 1912
Decided January 6, 1913
226 U.S. 519
Syllabus
Decided on authority of Adams Express Co. v. Croninger, ante, p. 226 U. S. 491, and C., B. & Q. Ry. v. Miller, ante, p. 226 U. S. 513.
172 F. 850 reversed.
The facts, which involve the validity under the Carmack Amendment of schedules of tariff rates based upon values, and the extent of the liability of carriers under bills of lading, are stated in the opinion.
Opinions
U.S. Supreme Court
Chicago, St. Paul, M. & O. Ry. Co. v. Latta, 226 U.S. 519 (1913) Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company v. Latta No. 231 Argued Mach 8, 11, 1912 Reargued October 22, 23, 1912 Decided January 6, 1913 226 U.S. 519 CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT Syllabus Decided on authority of Adams Express Co. v. Croninger, ante, p. 226 U. S. 491, and C., B. & Q. Ry. v. Miller, ante, p. 226 U. S. 513. 172 F. 850 reversed. The facts, which involve the validity under the Carmack Amendment of schedules of tariff rates based upon values, and the extent of the liability of carriers under bills of lading, are stated in the opinion. MR. JUSTICE LURTON delivered the opinion of the Court. This was an action to recover the full value of two horses lost in the course of interstate transportation. The defense, in substance, was that the plaintiff had declared the value of each of the animals to not exceed $100, and had signed a shipping contract wherein he agreed that that was the value, and that the company's liability in case of loss or damage should not exceed the agreed value. It was also shown that the schedule of tariff rates was based upon values, and that a higher rate was allowable if a higher value had been declared. It was claimed that a limitation of liability, made Page 226 U. S. 520 for the purpose of obtaining the lower of alternative rates, was admissible under the provisions of the ยง 20 of the Interstate Commerce Act of June 29, 1906, 34 Stat. 584, c. 3591. The circuit court instructed a verdict for the agreed value, ruling that the contract was valid and was controlled by the Interstate Commerce Acts. The circuit court of appeals reversed this judgment upon the ground that the contract was invalid under the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, and held the plaintiff entitled to recover the full value of the animals. 172 F. 850. The case was remanded to the circuit court, where, in pursuance of the judgment and opinion of the circuit court of appeals, the jury was instructed that it should find the actual value of the animals lost, and return a verdict for that amount. Upon a second writ of error, this judgment was affirmed by the circuit court of appeals, and the cause has come to this Court upon a writ of certiorari. The case is governed by the cases of Adams Express Company v. Croninger and C., B. & Q. Ry. Co. v. Miller, both just decided. Judgment reversed and the case is remanded for a new trial.
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