Case Name: DUNLAP, Respondent, v. CHICAGO, M. & ST. P. RY. COMPANY, Appellant
Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: South Dakota
Decision Date: 1913-12-05
Citations: 32 S.D. 581
Docket Number: 
Parties: DUNLAP, Respondent, v. CHICAGO, M. & ST. P. RY. COMPANY, Appellant.
Judges: McCOY, J., concurs in the views expressed by SMITH, J.
Reporter: South Dakota Reports
Volume: 32
Pages: 581–595

Head Matter:
DUNLAP, Respondent, v. CHICAGO, M. & ST. P. RY. COMPANY, Appellant.
(144 N. W. 226.)
1. Action — Single Cause of Action — Tort and Contract — Misjoinder.
A complaint alleging- that plaintiff requested a car in which to ship turkeys from two points, N. and P., that defendant placed a suitable car on track at N., into which plaintiff loaded turkeys collected there; but that it 'failed to place that car, or furnish any car for shipment from P., where plaintiff had collected other turkeys for such shipment, and failed to transport the turkeys loaded at N. for some days, to plaintiff’s damage, states but one cause of action, and that based upon contract; it does not state one cause of action for damages suffered at P., founded on tort, and another for damages suffered at N., based on contract; and is not bad for misjoinder in mentioning two shipments.
£ Oairieis — Contract ofi Carriage — Statute.
Where plaintiff requested a car in which to ship turkeys, and a railroad company placed a suitable car on the track, a contact of carriage was created, into which there became incorporated all previsions of Laws 1911, Ch. 207, Sec. 4, requiring common carriers to receive and transport freight with reasonable dispatch, and to provide and keep suitable facilities for receiving and handling same at any of its depots.
3. Oouhtltuiicnal law — Statutes—Validity—Title, Scope of.
The title of-Laws 1911, Ch. 207, “An act to regulate common carriers, and to define the powers 'and duties of the board ■of railroad commissioners in relation thereto, and imposing penalties for the violation of the provisions” thereof, is broad enough to embrace the provisions of Sec. 12, imposing a .penalty for a carrier’s refusal to pay damages for violation of the act within 3 0 days after written demand.
4. Carriers — Carriage of Goods — Delay—Action for Actual Damages.
Laws 1911, Ch. 207, Sec. 4, makes it the duty of common carriers to receive and transport freight with reasonable dispatch, while Sec. 12 makes them liable for damages sustained by violation of Its provisions at large, if recovered without suit, or, if -by suit, they are liable for not more than double damages, but requiring demand in writing for damages sustained “under this section.” Held, that an action lies for actual damages arising from violation of Sec. 4, independently of a right under Sec. 12.
5. Pleadings — Action Against Carriel’ — Complaint—Actual Damages —-Demurrer. '
In an action against a railroad company for violation of Laws 1911, Ch. 297, a complaint is good as against demurrer if it states a cause cf action for aotual damages, under Sec. 4, even though insufficient to state a cause of action for double damages under Sec. 12.
G. Pleadings — Action for Penalties — Carriers—Double Damage Act.
In an action for the penalty of double damages, provided for in Laws 1911, Ch. 297, Sec. 12, the complaint must set forth clearly and specifically the grounds upon which the penalty is sought.
7. Same — Action Against Carrier — Double Damages — Sufficiency.
In an action for the .penalty provided'by Laws 1911, Ch. 297, Sec. 12, -providing for double damages for its violation, but that no suit should he maintained until 30 days after written demand, a complaint alleging a violation of the act and plain tiff’s damage, and that, .after sustaining damage and mere than 30 days .before suit .plaintiff made such demand, but that defendant failed and refused to pay, and praying .award of double, damages, is sufficient. SMITH and MeCOY, JJ., dissenting.
8. Complaint — Carriers—Mode of Pleading — Statute.
In a suit against a railroad company for damages for violation of Laws 1911, Ch. 297, Sec. 4, which imposes no penalty for its violation, the rule requiring a pleading in an action for a statutory penalty to set forth clearly and specifically the •grounds upon which it is sought, does not apply.
9. Complaint — Action Against Carrier — “Reasonable Dispatch.”
A complaint alleged that defendant requested a car in which to ship turkeys from two points, N. and P., and that defendant placed a suitable car on the track at N. on or about November 17th, into which plaintiff loaded turkeys collected there, that, relying upon using the car, he collected turkeys at P. ready for shipment next day, but that defendant negligently refused and failed to have that car or any car at P. next day, or at any time, and wrongfully and negligently failed and refused to transport the turkeys loaded until on or about November 23rd, to plaintiff’s damage. Held, that, in view of Code Civ. Proc., Sec. 136, requiring pleadings to be liberally construed, the complaint sufficiently stated, as against a demurrer, a cause of action for violation of Laws 1911, Ch. 2 07, Sec. 4, requiring common carriers to furnish suitable cars to all applicants therefor, and to receive and transport freight “with reasonable dispatch,” since the .complaint showed, by fair implication and clear import, the furnishing of a car and carrier’s failure to transport the shipment with reasonable dispatch.
10. Complaint Good Fox- Any Purpose — Demuirer.
Against general demurrer, a complaint stating a cause of action f.or any purpose, is sufficient.
SMITH, J., and McCOY, J., concurring specially.
(Opinion filed December 5, 1913.)
Appeal from Circuit Court, Clay County. Hon. Robert B. TRIPP, Judge.
Action by John R. Dunlap against the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, for damages for failure to transport freight with reasonable, dispatch. From an order overruling a demurrer to the complaint, defendant appeals.
Affirmed.
Porter & Grantham, for Appellants.
Two causes of action are improperly united. 'Sec. 144, Code Civ. Proc.; Meloche v. Chicago, M. & St. P. Ry. Co., (Mich.) 74 N. W. 301; London & L. Lire Ins. Co. v. Rome, W. & O. R. Co., (N. Y.) 39 N. E. 79; Pomeroy on Remedial Rights, Secs. 453-477-
As to the lot of turkeys at Pierpont, the allegations of the complaint -are that the defendant failed and refused 'to furnish any car upon the request of the plaintiff. This -action,. under such allegations, sounds in tort. Sec. 1693, and Sec. 1694, Elliott on Railroads, and cases there cited.
The complaint fails to state a cause of action. It fails to charge the defendant as a carrier, within the requirements of any statute, either providing a statutory penalty, creating a civil liability, or providing a statutory remedy, or imposing double damages or attorney’s fees with costs. Sec. 119, Code Civ. Proc.
In Reply.
The complaint -does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action under chapter 207, Laws 1911I
Applying the test given in the quoted portion of the decision of this -court -in case of Kirby v. W. U. Tel. Co., 4 S. D. 463.
Chapter 207, Laws 19'ix, is unconstitutional. Art. 3, Sec. 21, Const.
Complaint attempts to allege a cause of action ex delicto as well as ex contractu.
Notwithstanding respondent’s contention that-the action is in tort, and -was drawn- under -the provisions of sections 4 and 12 -of chapter 207 of Law-s of 1911, a fair construction of the allegations of the complaint warrant our contention that with reference to the turkeys at Newark, the action is- upon contract, implied from the conduct of the parties alleged in the complaint.
If the default was a failure to perform a condition of the contract, the action is on contract.
As to the shipment at Pierpont, we are agreed that the refusal to furnish -car, or failure to furnish car, if alleged to have been after reasonable notice, would state a cause of action in tort.
Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute any cause of action. The complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action upon either statute, because of its failure to allege that the .delay from November iSth to-23d was, under the circumstances, unreasonable.
Thomas Sterling, and Payne & Olson, for Respondent.
There is but one cause of action alleged, and such cause of action is1 not in contract, but in tort.
The request made of defendant, was for a car in which to ship both lots of turkeys. It is the refusal and failure of defendant to furnish this car and transport the turkeys, under the circumstances alleged, that caused damages both to the turkeys at Newark, and to the turkeys at Pierpont. Doty v. Strong, i Pinney (Wis.) 313, 40 Am. Dec. 773; 23 Cyc. 446; King v. C., M. & St. Paul Ry. Co. (Minn.) 82 N. W. m3, 81 Am. St. Rep. 238, 50 L. R. A; 161; Hempstead v. Des Moines, 63 Iowa, 36, 18 N. W. 676.
A contract may be set out from which a cause of action in tort arises. 23 Cyc. 387-8; Indiana Natural Gas Co. v. Anthony, 26 Ind. App. 307, 58 N. E. 868; Coy v. Gas Co., 46 N. E. 17, 36 L. R. A. 535; Eordyce v. Nix, 23 S. W. 967.
There is a plain and concise statemenr of plaintiff’s cause of action, in tort. Section 119, Code of Civil procedure.
The complaint is drawn and double damages are claimed under Chap. 207, Daws 1911, sections 4 and 12, and all facts are stated which are necessary to bring the case within the provisions of the statute.
It is not necessary, under the rule of pleading in force in South Dakota, to refer to the statute when counting on a penalty provided by the statute. Kirby v. Western Union Telegraph Co., 4 S. D. 463, 57 N. W. 202; Beklcer v. White River Valley Ry. Co., (S. D.) 132 N. W. 797; State v. Owsley, 17 Mont. 94, 42 Pac. 105.

Opinion:
WHITING, P. J.
Appeal from an order overruling demurrer to plaintiff's complaint. Complaint alleges that on November 15, 1911, plaintiff requested a car in which to ship a carload of turkeys from Newark and Pierpont, S. D., to Chicago, Ill.; that, in response to such request, defendant company placed a suitable car on the track at Newark to be used for said purpose, and thereupon — on or about November 17 — plaintiff loaded into said car about 1,000 turkeys, cooped for shipment; that plaintiff, relying upon using said car, collected about 300 turkeys at Pierpont ready for loading and shipment on said car, on or about November 18, 1911; that defendant wrongfully and negligently refused and ne- glectecl to have said car, or any car, at Pierpont on November 18, 1911, or at any time, for shipment of said 300 turkeys; that defendant wrongfully and negligently failed and refused to transport the turkeys loaded at Newark until or or about November 23, 1911; that plaintiff was damaged in the sum of $1,727.43; that, after sustaining such damages and more than 30 days before the bringing of this action, plaintiff made demand in writing on defendant for payment of such damages; that defendant has failed and refused to pay same; and that plaintiff be awarded double damages.
The demurrer to the complaint set forth five grounds, which, taken together, present but two questions: (1) If the complaint alleges any cause of action, whether it does not set forth two causes of action improperly joined — one in contract, the other in tort; (2) whether the facts alleged in the complaint constitute a cause of action. It is respondent's contention that this complaint is drawn under the provisions of sections 4 and 12, c. 207, I_,aws 19x1. The act provides:
"Sec. 4. Company to Furnish Cars, Etc. It shall be the duty of am- common carrier, when within their power to do1 so, and upon reasonable notice, to furnish suitable cars to any and all persons who may apply therefor, for the transportation of any and all kinds of freight, and to receive and transport such freight with reasonable dispatch, and to provide and keep suitable facilities for the receiving and handling the same at any depot on the line of its road; and also to receive and transport in like manner the empty or loaded cars furnished by any connecting-carrier 'to 'be' delivered to any station or stations on the line of its road to be loaded or discharged, or reloaded and returned to the road so connecting, and for compensation it shall not demand or receive any greater sum than is accepted by it from any other connecting carrier for a similar service: and said common carrier shall not discriminate in the furnishing of cars in favor of any corporation, firm, or individual."
"Sec. 12. Damages.' — -Attorney's Fees. In case any common carrier subject to the .provisions of this article shall do, cause to bei done, or permit to be done any act, matter, or thing in this article prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or shall omit to do any act, matter, or thing in this article required to be done, such common carrier shall be liable to the person or persons injured thereby for the amount of damages sustained in consequence of any such violation of the provisions of this article if recovered without suit; or it recovered by suit, such common carrier shall be liable to the person or persons injured thereby for not -to exceed twice the amount of damages sustained in consequence of any such violation complained of, together with costs of suit and a reasonable counsel or attorney's fees to -be fixed by the. court in which the same is heard on appeal or otherwise, which shall be taxed and collected as part of the costs in the -case; provided, that in all cases demand in writing- on said common carrier shall be made for the money damages sustained before suit is brought for recovery under this section, and no suit shall be brought until the expiration of thirty days after such demand.1'
Appellant contends that the complaint, if it sets out any cause of action whatsoever, sets out, in relation to the damages alleged to have been suffered at Newark, a cause of action based upon contract, and, in relation to the damages alleged to have been suffered at Pierpont, a cause of action founded in tort — it being appellant's contention that, while the allegations of the complaint "inferentially" set forth the elements of a contract as to the one shipment, they fail to even "inferentially" set forth the necessary elements of a contract as to the shipment from the other point; and appellant contends that there is, therefore, a misjoinder of a cause of action based upon tort with one based upon contract. We think that the complaint sets forth but one cause of action, and that based upon contract. The request made by plaintiff was for a car to ship turkeys, not from Newark alone, but from both Newark and Pierpont. "In response to such request," defendant placed a car upon the track at Newark "to be used for said purpose" — what purpose? — the purpose for which the request was made. This is certainly an allegation of an offer and acceptance, as, against a demurrer, the allegation of the placing of a car in response to plaintiff's request will be deemed as an agreement upon the part of defendant to comply in full with such request. Into such contract thus alleged, there became incorporated all the provisions of section 4, supra, relating to the duties of the defendant railroad, and defendant became fully bounden thereby to the -same extent as though such provisions had been included within the express terms of a contract. The complaint therefore, if it is sufficient to allege a cause of action at all, sets forth but one cause of action, and that based upon contract.
Appellant insists that -such complaint fails to state any cause of action, it contending that: This i's an action apparently brought to recover the penalty provided by -section 12, supra, the law of which such section is a part is, so far as such section is -concerned, unconstitutional; even if it could be held- that such law is constitutional,- yet, the allegations of such complaint are not sufficient to entitle Iplaintiff to recover statutory penalty; and, if the complaint "be held to -state facts sufficient to show that plainiff has some cause of action, (it) is demurrable for that it fails to contain a plain and concise statement of the facts constituting a .cause -of- action," as required by section 119 of the Code of -Civil Procedure. Appellant bases this last contention upon a -claimed- indefiniteness in such complaint whereby it is rendered uncertain- whether plaintiff's action is one sounding in tort or one based upon a contract. Having held that the complaint alleges but one -cause of action -and- that one based upon contract, this contention needs no further attention at our hands.
Is section 12 of chapter 207, Laws 1911, unconstitutional? There is no claim that -the subject-matter of such section is -prohibited by the Constitution. The sole -claim is- that the title of such act did not permit of -the enactment of a provision giving a right -of action- — the right to- recover -double damages — when -such right of action is not. placed "within the control of the board of railroad commissioners." The title of the act reads: "An act to regulate common carriers and to define the powers and duties of the board of railroad commissioners of the state of South Dakota in relation thereto, and imposing penalties for the violation of the -provisions of this act." There is nothing in the title of such .act that would prevent the act from containing regulations in no manner under the power, control, or supervision of the railroad commissioners — nothing to prevent the enactment of a provision providing for a penalty, the fear of which might be an incentive to the prompt performance, by the common carrier, of a duty resting upon it. As stated by this court in State v. McPherson, 139 N. W. 368: "The title of an act fairly expressing the general subject covers provisions thereof for all proper means and instrumentalities which may >or will facilitate the accomplishment or enforcement of the purpose expressed."
Are the allegations of the complaint sufficient to entitle plaintiff to recover the statutory penalty? It has been, urged that if one seeks to recover by suit for any breach of the provisions of section 4, he must show compliance with the provisions of section 12 as to written notice and nonpayment, and must demand the penalty provided by such section, that no action can be brought disregarding the provisions of section 12; and that, inasmuch as any action brought -must be one asking for the recovery of a penalty, the pleading must be full and explicit, setting forth clearly the several statutory provisions of section 4, alleged to have been violated as well as the conditions precedent to suit provided for in section 12. Appellant cites as authority for the proposition that, in a complaint .seeking to recover a statutory penalty, the allegations must specifically and directly set forth the breach of those statutory provisions, noncompliance with which gives rise to the cause of action, the holding of this court in the case of Kirby v. W. U. Tel. Co., 4 S. D. 463, 57 N. W. 202. But first, is it true that no action, seeking the recovery of actual damages only, could be brought for a violation of the provisions of section 4? We think not. If section 12 were not in the act at all, a party injured through any failure of the common carrier to comply with the provisions of -section 4 could sue for and recover the actual damages flowing from such injury. If there was any provision in- this act — either in section 12 or any other part thereof — -specifically, or by necessary implication, providing that no suit .could be brought except under section 12, the effect would be different; but, instead of such a provision, we find one in section 12 which shows clearly the intent that actions could be brought without seeking the penalty provided by said section 12. The conditions precedent to the bringing of a suit, as set forth in section 12 by the express wording of such section, are required only "before suit is brought for a recovery under this section," clearly implying that there can be suits brought under the act but not under that section.
The question of whether there are sufficient allegations to entitle plaintiff to recover the penalty or double damage is, therefore, not necessarily before, us at this time because, even if the pleading is entirely insufficient to entitle the plaintiff to a recovery of double damages, yet, if the pleading is sufficient to entitle him to a recovery of actual damage, the complaint is good as against the demurrer. We would, however, note that the rule, requiring a pleading to set forth clearly and 'specifically the grounds upon which the statutory penalty is sought, does apply to the provisions of section 12, and the decision in the Kirby Case is directly applicable thereto; but a reading of section 12 reveals the fact that in this case, exactly as in the case of Belcher v. Railway Co., 28 S. D. 84, 132 N. W. 797, the statute imposes the penalty, not for any damage resulting from the wrongful act or omission of the company in the conduct of its business, as is provided by the act before the court in the Kirby Case, but solely and exclusively for a failure upon the part of the common carrier to pay the damage within, a certain length of time after demand made therefor. The pleading before us is very explicit and full in its allegations as to those matters provided for by section 12.
Is the complaint sufficient upon which to recover damages resulting from defendant's failure to comply with section '4? It seems clear that the two phrases, "when within their power to do so" and "upon reasonable notice," as contained in section 4, relate to and grammatically modify the v/ord "furnish" and no other, word. Defendant having furnished the car, no question of notice or of the power of defendant is involved so far as the first station is concerned; and it did not devolve upon the plaintiff, even if we should follow the rule of pleading requiring the specific allegation as to each matter covered by the statute, to allege that it was within the power of the company to receive and transport such freight with reasonable dispatch. Under such section, after having received notice to furnish the car and having furnished the car, nothing but some unforeseen event can relieve the railroad company from receiving and transporting the goods. Was it necessary for plaintiff to allege specifically and directly that defendant failed to transport such turkeys "with reasonable dispatch" ? This question presents to us the proposition as to whether or not, in pleading the breach of a provision of a statute, for the breach of which no1 penalty is provided, it is necessary to plead directly and specifically, in the words of the statute or in equivalent words, the breach of such statutory provision. If section 4 provided a penalty for the breach thereof, the holding in the Kirby Case would be directly applicable to that part of the pleading pertaining to a breach of the provisions of said section 4, and it-would be necessary, in an action brought to recover such penalty, for the complaint to contain a specific allegation that the carload of turkeys was not shipped with reasonable dispatch; but, section 4 providing no penalty, and none being provided elsewhere for the breach of any provision of section 4, the rule laid down in the Kirby Case can have, for the reasons hereinbefore stated, absolutely no application to such section. Section 136, C. C. P., provides that, "'in the construction of a pleading for the purpose of determining its effect, its allegations shall be liberally construed, with a view of substantial justice between the parties'." Under this statute, which is common to most, if not all, code states, a pleading is "usually construed, even on demurrer, to allege all the facts that can be implied by fair and reasanable in-tendment from the facts expressly stated." 31 Cyc. 79; Roberts v. Samson, 50 Neb. 745, 70 N. W. 384; Miller v. Bayer, 94 Wis. 123, 68 N. W. 869; Chambers v. Hoover, 3 Wash. T. 107, 13 Pac. 466; Malloy v. Benway, 34 Wash. 315, 75 Pac. 869; Olery v. Brown, 51 How. Prac. (N. Y.) 92; Phillips on Code Pleading, § 352. In Miller v. Bayer, supra, the court approved the following rule which had been announced in the earlier decisions of that court: "If the essential facts can be gathered from the pleading, or may be reasonably inferred from the allegations, it is good, though such allegations be in form uncertain, incomplete, and defective" In Chambers v. Hoover, supra, the court said: "The averments of this pleading are vague and indefinite, and it is defective in other respects; yet, when bolstered by the rule of liberal construction commanded by the Code, we think we discern a cause of action. A suitor is no longer to be turned out of court if, by making all reasonable intendments in his favor, enough can be seized hold of in his pleadings to show that he has rights which ought to be enforced. He may be required, on motion, to conform his statement to the rules of good pleading, and, 'if he refuse, may be turned out of court; but, as against a demurrer, the office of which >is to raise a substantial issue on the law of the case, and not on the law of practice and pleading, evidentiary facts, and even inferences from averments amounting to mere conclusions of law, will be considered in his favor."
Did the pleadings before us, by fair implication, allege that the defendant failed to ship said turkeys with reasonable dispatch? Do the facts pleaded clearly show an unreasonable delay? It appears that, for some five or six daj's after they were loaded into the car, the defendant neglected and refused to ship- said turkeys, and plaintiff alleges that such neglect and refusal were negligent and wrongful. The complaint certainly reveals an unreasonable delay, and, while it surely would -have been better pleading for plaintiff to have alleged, in the words of the statute, a failure to transport such turkeys zvith reasonable dispatch, yet the clear import of the allegations — the inference to be drawn therefrom— is a charge that defendant was guilty of unreasonable delay in-such shipment, and the pleading, as against the demurrer, was rightfully held good.
Inasmuch as the complaint sets forth facts entitling plaintiff to recover damages suffered at the first station, it is good as against this general demurrer, and it becomes unnecessary for us to consider the sufficiency of the -allegations upon which plaintiff bases a claim for damages suffered at Pierpont.
The order appealed from is affirmed.