Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. v. Pulp Wood Co.
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. v. Pulp Wood Co.
Opinion of the Court
The question raised upon the admitted facts presents the inquiry: Is plaintiff entitled to recover the amount claimed as a demurrage charge for the service of cars furnished by the Wisconsin Central Eailway Company to G. Wilkinson in the light of the facts and circumstances above stated under the tariff and demurrage rules on file with the state railroad commission? The demurrage rules provide which cars are to be subject to car-service charges and the amount thereof per day. The plaintiff contends that the cars in question were subject to demurrage under rule 4, providing :
“Cars which axe stopped in transit by orders of shippers or consignees for reconsignment to points beyond, for change of load ... or on account of improper, unsafe, or excessive loading, or for any other reason for which the shipper or consignee is responsible, shall be subject to car-service charges after the expiration of forty-eight (48) hours from arrival at the point of stoppage, and all car service must be collected, or billed as advances when cars go forward.”
The argument is made that the railroad company was required to furnish the cars in question to Wilkinson upon his request, and that the loading of them by him and his refusal to unload the pulp wood upon the demand of the railroad company was a use of them for transportation and a service of the cars in connection therewith authorizing a demurrage charge for such use under secs. 1797 — 4 and 1797 — 10, Stats. The facts and, circumstances show that a controversy arose between the Wisconsin Central Eailway Company and Wil
The trial court properly held that the Wisconsin Central Eailway Company had no claim for demurrage for the time the cars were held on the tracks before they were accepted to transport the pulp-wood shipment, and plaintiff’s complaint was properly dismissed.
By the Court. — The judgment appealed from is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company v. Pulp Wood Company
- Status
- Published