Source: https://openjurist.org/265/us/99
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 06:37:33+00:00

Document:
Messrs. S. S. Hargraves, S. H. Mann, Sr., and S. H. Mann, Jr., all of Forrest City, Ark., for defendant in error.
The writ of error was improvidently granted and must be dismissed. The application for the writ of certiorari is granted. St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Ry. v. Starbird, 243 U. S. 592, 37 Sup. Ct. 462, 61 L. Ed. 917; Act Sept. 6, 1916, c. 448, § 2, 39 Stat. 726, amending Judicial Code, § 237 (Comp. St. § 1214).
The trial court denied a peremptory instruction in favor of petitioner, and the case was sent to the jury upon the theory that the assault constituted a breach of the initial carrier's contract for safe transportation. Judgment went in favor of respondent for both compensatory and punitive damages, and was affirmed as to the former by the Supreme Court of Arkansas. This was error.
An interstate carrier is entitled to the presumption that its business is being conducted lawfully. Acceptance and use of the ticket sufficed to establish an agreement, prima facie valid, which limited the selling carrier's liability. Mere failure of the passenger to read matter plainly placed before her cannot overcome the presumption of assent. New York Central & Hudson River R. R. v. Beaham, 242 U. S. 148, 151, 37 Sup. Ct. 43, 61 L. Ed. 210; Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Ry. v. Woodbury, 254 U. S. 357, 360, 41 Sup. Ct. 114, 65 L. Ed. 301.

References: v. 
 § 2
 § 237
 § 1214
 v. 
 v.