Texas & Pacific Railway Co. v. Reiss

Citations

• 183 U.S. 621
• 22 S. Ct. 252
• 46 L. Ed. 358
• 1902 U.S. LEXIS 740

Syllabus

<p>Where goods are carried by connecting railways, as between intermediate carriers, the duty of the one in possession at the end of his route is to deliver the goods to the succeeding carrier, or notify him of their arrival, and the former is not relieved of responsibility by.unloading the goods at the end of his route and storing them in his warehouse without delivery or notice to or any attempt to deliver to his successor. ,</p> <p>In this case it cannot be claimed that the defendant had either actually or constructively delivered the cotton to the steamship company at the time of the fire.</p> <p>If there be any doubt from the language used in a bill of lading, as to its proper meaning or construction, the words should be construed most strongly against the issuer of the bill.</p> <p>In such a bill if there be any doubt arising from the language used as to its proper meaning and construction, the words should be construed most strongly against the companies.</p> <p>It cannot reasonably be said that witliin the meaning of this contract the property awaits further conveyance the moment it has been unloaded from the cars.</p> <p>The defendant at the time of the fire was under obligation as a common carrier, and was liable for the destruction of the cotton.</p>