Document: 346 U.S. 128 73 S.Ct. 986 97 L.Ed. 1500 NEW YORK, N.H. & HARTFORD R. CO.v.NOTHNAGLE et al. No. 525. Argued April 29, 1953. Decided June 8, Mr. T. J. O'Sullivan, New Haven, Conn., for petitioner. John A. Danaher, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case concerns extent an interstate carrier's liability a passenger's baggage loss. On October 5, 1949, Mrs. Nothnagle, respondent here, purchased railway ticket from petitioner in Meriden, Connecticut, journey to Fall River, Massachusetts, via Connecticut. She boarded train Meriden at 11:19 a.m. and later arrived shortly after 11:30 Haven where she alighted transfer another train. station platform here suitcase was solicited by redcap employee petitioner, handed it him with orders return River departing 12:40 p.m. No check given; no money paid. The vanished, sued. At trial City Court parties stipulated that contents actually worth $615 were lost due petitioner's negligence. Petitioner insisted, however, its as carrier governed tariff schedule filed Interstate Commerce Commission which limited recovery loss $25 unless passenger had writing declared higher valuation. 2 state courts granted full respondent. court found although not greater value, neither actual knowledge asserted restriction nor notified existence legend on receipt or posted signs. In any event, concluded, accepted only 'for safe-keeping transportation,' so parties' rights determinable Connecticut principles bailments rather than rule federal law.1 Supreme Errors affirmed, viewing respondent's 'continuous,' 'suspended substantial time Haven' be resumed when train.2 Accordingly, deemed law under held liable $615.3 claims this decision impairs secured Act, we certiorari examine scope statutory protection. 345 903, 645. 3 We have little doubt transaction incident within ambit Act. Neither continuity movement isolated segments trip can decisive. 'The facts govern. For purpose, destination intended he begins his known carrier, determines character commerce.' Sprout v. South Bend, 1928, 277 163, 168, 48 502, 503, 72 833. And see Baltimore Ohio S.W.R. Co. Settle, 1922, 260 166, 171, 43 28, 30, 67 189; Galveston, H. S.A.R. Woodbury, 1920, 254 357, 41 114, 65 301. undertook voyage temporary stopover along way. goes unchallenged whom entrusted her railroad performing functions, whether viewed services connection interrupted through second unquestionably leg journey, travel reached terms Cf. Williams Jacksonville Terminal Co., 1942, 315 386, 394, 397, 62 659, 665, 666, 86 914; Stopher Cincinnati Union 246 I.C.C. (1941).4 therefore, must control whatever provisions apply. 4 With enactment 1906 Carmack Amendment, Congress superseded diverse laws nationally uniform policy governing carriers' property E.G., Adams Express Croninger, 1913, 226 491, 504—505, 33 148, 151, 57 314; Kansas Southern Carl, 227 639, 648—649, 391, 393—394, 683. Insofar now pertinent provided 'receiving transportation * shall issue bill lading therefor lawful holder thereof loss, damage, injury such caused *, contract, receipt, rule, regulation exempt hereby imposed.5 1915 fortified Amendment adding, part, 'any limitation, without respect manner form is sought made unlawful void'.6 One year later, proviso qualified prohibition rendering inapplicable 'first, carried trains carrying passengers; second, received concerning been hereafter expressly authorized required order establish maintain rates dependent upon value shipper agreed released property, declaration agreement other effect limit amount exceeding *.'7 5 assume properly pursuant authorization Commission. 41, 44—47 (1941), determined railroad's constituted defined directed covering service charges filed.8 See also Dayton Tariff Redcap Service, 256 289 (1943); Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, 427 (1950). participated filing England Joint RC 3—N American Railway Lindenburg, 1923, 584, 588—589, 206, 208, 414. addition listing per piece truckload baggage, declares 'Carriers will accept Twenty-five (25) Dollars bag parcel handled Red Caps tariff, passenger. If passenger, additional charge Ten (10) Cents each Hundred (100) fraction above declared. Any excess Five (500) handling tariff.' 6 Clearly limitation voided Act saved proviso. Darden, 1924, 265 265, 44 68 1010; Chicago, M. St. P.R. McCaull-Dinsmore 253 97, 40 504, 64 801. excepted 'baggage trains' refers solely free checked fare. See, e.g., Boston Maine Hooker, 1914, 233 117, 34 526, 530, 58 868.9 It cannot apply exacts separate because cost providing facility element determination rates. 427, 436 (1950).10 therefore qualify part graduated according valuations writing. Petitioner's face does deviate standard, may read complying law. supra; N.O. T.P.R. Rankin, 1916, 241 319, 327, 36 555, 558, 60 1022. 7 But do bring conditions. There 'value writing'; fact, even reciting provision changed hands.11 Moreover, exceeded $500; itself deems highly valued unacceptable redcaps. granting customers fair opportunity choose between lower paying correspondingly lesser lawfully less sustained. Piper, 1918, 439, 444—445, 38 354, 355, 820; Pacific Burke, 1921, 255 317, 321—323, 283, 284—285, 656; cf. Steamship Ansaldo San Giorgio I Rheinstrom Bros. 1935, 294 494, 497—498, 55 483, 484—485, 79 1016. Binding reasonable discover would effectively deprive requisite choice;12 arrangement forbidden attempt exonerate consequences own negligent acts. Ibid.; Watson Transp. Feinberg Kosher Sausage 8 Cir., 1951, 193 F.2d 286. great object common carriers secure utmost care highest importance community. A who stipulates bound exercise diligence 'seeks put off essential duties employment.' recognized individual customer are equal footing. latter afford higgle stand out seek redress courts." Santa Fe, P. Grant Construction 228 177, 184—185, 474, 477, 787. sum, judgment Affirmed. 9 JACKSON took consideration case. 7—9. reported. 1952, 139 Conn. 278, 282, 93 A.2d 165, 167. page Commission's ruling challenged. Stat. 595, 49 U.S.C. § 20(11), U.S.C.A. 20(11). 1197, amendment following proviso: 'Provided, That if goods hidden view wrapping, boxing, means, goods, require specifically beyond stated, transportation, shipped stated shipper.' legislation imposition except (1) 'where (so) representation (should) all cases binding him;' (2) authorizes based represented shipper, value. S.Rep.No. 407, 63d Cong., 2d Sess., p. 3; H.R.Rep. 1341, 3d 2. first exception applicable right promulgate conditions passengers' valuations. re Cummins 682, 696—697 (1915). year, overruled determination. note 7, infra. 39 442, Committee Report accompanying 1916 observed reference construction has resulted some vexatious requirements insisted injustice. instance, commission compel tendered shipment true criminal prosecution section 10 act regulate commerce. committee agree interpretation placed proviso, but there way remedy matter make intent clear impossible misunderstand it. Further, Whether correct incorrect, palpable transported fare ought subject controls ordinary freight, reported express terms.' eliminated explained aim 'to restore existed prior 1906, damaged course circumstances basis From general excepted, first, trains. done obvious reasons. Second, fixed affirmatively rate either value.' (Emphasis added.) S.Rep. 64th 1st §§ 1(1), 1(3), 1(5)(a), 6(1), 1(1, 3), (5) (a), 6(1). 22, referring 'free baggage' tickets. notes supra, 10, distinction long National Baggage Atchison, S.F.R. 32 152 (1914); 696 (1915); Ellison-White Chautauqua System Director General, 492, 495 (1922). recently disallowed proposed 'the universally established practice permitting car personal possession, passenger-fare apparently sanction regulatory bodies.' Service Charges Checking Baggage, 288 691, 695 (1953). 11 Caten Salt Movers Storage 1945, 149 428, 432. need consider inscribed constitute sufficient satisfy statute, compare 590—591, 208—209, 414, refusal handle certain permissible all. 12 868, York Central H.R.R. Beaham, 242 37 43, 61 210, involved amended legislation; both dealt ticket; supplied notice liability. 114. 301, sole raised considered related nature journey.

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