Norfolk-Southern R. Co. v. Owens, 256 U.S. 565 (1921)

U.S. Supreme Court

Norfolk-Southern R. Co. v. Owens, 256 U.S. 565 (1921) Norfolk-Southern Railroad Company v. Owens

No. 223

Argued March 17, 1921

Decided June 1, 1921

256 U.S. 565

CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT

OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

Syllabus

A railroad corporation, while its road was under federal control, was not liable for a penalty prescribed by a state law, for delay in delivery of an intrastate shipment. Missouri Pacific R. Co. v. Ault, ante, 256 U. S. 554.

178 N.Car. 325 reversed.

The case is stated in the opinion.

Page 256 U. S. 566

MR. JUSTICE BRANDEIS delivered the opinion of the Court.

This case comes here on writ of certiorari (251 U.S. 550) to the Supreme Court of North Carolina, which affirmed (178 N.C. 325) a judgment of $21 against the Norfolk-Southern Railroad Company in favor of Owens, a shipper. The amount was assessed under a statute of the state as a penalty for undue delay in making delivery of an intrastate shipment made March 27, 1918. At that time, the railroad was in the possession and control of the government, and was being operated by the Director General under the Federal Control Act of March 21, 1918, c. 25, 40 Stat. 451. The only question presented for decision is whether the company was liable for the penalty. We are of opinion that it was not, for the reasons stated in Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. v. Ault, ante, 256 U. S. 554.

Reversed.