Case Name: DAKOTA CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, Appellant, v. SPINK COUNTY POWER COMPANY, Respondent
Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: South Dakota
Decision Date: 1920-01-30
Citations: 42 S.D. 448
Docket Number: File No. 4557
Parties: DAKOTA CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, Appellant, v. SPINK COUNTY POWER COMPANY, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Dakota Reports
Volume: 42
Pages: 448–463

Head Matter:
DAKOTA CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, Appellant, v. SPINK COUNTY POWER COMPANY, Respondent.
(176 N. W. 143.)
(File No. 4557.
Opinion filed January 80, 1920.
Rehearing denied ■March 26, 1920.)
1. Telegraphs and Telephones — Electric Power — Electrical Interference of Two Systems — -Conduction, Induction, Interference By, Defined, How Overcome — Evidence.
The evidence shows that electrical interference between the telephone line in question using a low-tension current of electricity with the earth as a return circuit, and an electric power and light company, using a high tension current, arising by conduction, and by static magnetic induction; that interference by conduction may be practically eliminated by the proper erection and maintenance of a power line; that interference ■ by static induction may be overcome by proper balance of the electrical current in the power line.
2. Same — Telephone Line, Prior Highway Occupant, Electric. Power’ Company, Latex* Occupant — Electrical Interference, Which Company Must Eliminate.
Where a telephone company, using a low-tension current of electricity with the earth as return circuit, the earliest oecupant of a highway, is electrically interfered with by an electric ■power and light plant, later occupant thereof, the power company must eliminate interference by conduction and by static induction.
3. Electricity — Power—Electric Transmission Plant — Electi’ic-magnetic Induction, Defined — Electro Power Intei’ference With Telephone Line, How Prevented. — Mutual Elective Cix’cuits, Remedy Ke — Earth Return Telephone Line, Effect Re.
■Electro-magneitic induction is the transmission of electricity from one electric circuit to another by means of an electric fluid; which lrind of interference may be prevented by co-ordinated transposition of wires on both systems; but, the evidence showing this may bei accomplished where electric circuits on both systems are metallic, the remedy is inapplicable to an earth return telephone line.
4. Telephones — Line on Highway, Interference With By Highway Electric Power Current — Statutory Sources of Telephone, Electric Power, Rights — Priority of Telephone Rights — Evidence Re Electric Interference.
Plaintiff’s right to use of the highway for its telephone line arose under Sec. 554, Rev. Civ. Code 1913, (Sec. 9791, Rev. Code 1919) providing for use by telegraph, etc., lines right of way over certain realty including highways, it having been in operation since about 1910; while defendants’ right to use of the highway for its plant arose undeir Laws 1913, Ch. 369, (Rev. Code 1919, Sec. 8591-4), which latter chapter contains the proviso “that such transmission line shall not interfere with the service of any telephone or telegraph lines already constructed on such highway.’’ Under the evidence, it appears that, notwithstanding the lines of respective parties are on opposite sides of the highway, the clear preponderance of evidence shows that by reason of eleictro-magnetic induction the service of plaintiffs’ telegraph line is and will continue to be substantially interfered with.
5. Highways — Rural Highways, Use for Light, Power, Transmission, Highway Dedication Subject To, Presumption Re Px'esent, Prospective Uses.
When land is taken or dedicated for use as a highway, such taking or dedication should be presumed to be not merely for purposes and usages known and in vogue at tima of dedication, but also for all public purposes, .present and prospective, then known or unknown consistent with character of the highway and not detrimental to abutting realty; including use of rural highways for light and power transmission, whether for lighting highways or otherwise.
6. Telephone — Highway Earth-return Line, Interference With By Electric Power Line Current — Rule “Sic Utere Tuo,” Whether Limiting Telephone Rights — Statute, Constitution, Construed— Non-statutory Rights Under thei Rule “Sic Utere Tuo,” Etc.
Under Rev. Code 1919, Sec. 45, plaintiff, owner and operator of a rural telephone line with earth as return circuit, is not bound to abandon the use of the earth as return circuit and at its own expense install a metallic circuit on lines interfered with by defendant owner of an electro-magnetic .power line operating on thei opposite side of the highway, and which interferes with plaintiff’s linei by electro-magnetic conduction and static induction; and if the: Legislature had so declared by enactment, no constitutional principié would have been thereby violated. So held, construing the relative rights of the parties under Sec. 9791, Rev. Code 1919, governing plaintiff’s rights, and Sec. S591-4, governing defendant’s rights under said Sec. 45, which rule would likewise obtain in the absence of statutory provision.
7. Telegraphs and Telephones — Statutory Non-interference With Prior Line Service, Presumption Re, Legislative Intent Re— Expense of Remedying Interference, Who Shall Bear.
In enacting Laws 1913, Oh. 369 (Secs. 8591-4, Rev. Code 1919), containing a proviso against interference by electric power transmission lines with previously constructed telephone, etc., lines, on highways, it will be presumed the Legislature knew of the extensive occupancy of highways by rural telephone lines using earth as return circuit; that the manifest legislative intent was to protect telegraph and telephone lines previously constructed, from interference with their service; any other interpretation would merely protect them from negligence of power and light companies, a protection they already had; that, contrariwise, it was not the legislative intent to exclude the latter lines from the occupied highways, providing a remedy could be found by changes or improvements in either system; and if plaintiff telephone company must bear expense of changing its system to a metallic return circuit, it has not been protected in its right under that statute; whereas if such expense is borne by the power and light company, plaintiff company cannot justly say it is not protected in its, right by earlier occupancy; defendant should therefore bear such expense.
8. Same — Previously Constructed Telephone Line, Protection of From Faulty Construction, Maintenance, By Power Company-Negligence — Statute Re.
Held, further, that it necessarily follows that under said proviso there must be proper construction and maintenance of a subsequently-erected power plant, and if there be faulty ■construction or maintenance, such defects must be remedied at expense of the power line; since the Legislature did not intend to encourage negligence.
9. Same — Whether Previously Constructed Telephone Line Owner Must Yield Right, Submit to Inconvenience, Contention Re Dissented From — Injunctional Power Re Interference.
The contention, by defendant power company, that plaintiffs’ previously constructed line must, as between it and defendants’ line, yield the prior right and submit to damage and inconvenience to some extent, “for the good of his neighbor and for society,” might be recognized, had not the Legislature by said proviso established a different rule, which the courts cannot change or ignore; nor does enforcement of the statutory rule bar later transmission lines from using the highways, thus' denying them a statutory right; since the rights of both parties to occupancy must be assumed, and such construction given the statute as will enable 'both to use the highway; this being effected by placing on later transmission line burden of removing interference by every scientific means, and by holding the telegraph and telephone lines must allow such changes in their lines at expense of the power transmission line as necessary to remove interference resulting from construction and usa of its line. The court’s power to so frame its injunetional order as to accomplish this purpose is unquestionabe.
10. Injunction — Highway Telephone Line, Enjoining Interference With. By Electro-Magnetic Power Line — Bight to Injunction— Injunction Denied, Right to Money Compensation Through Equity Court.
Where it appears in complaint that plaintiff’s telephone line constructed upon a highway in 1910 and using the earth for return circuit, was materially interfered -with in its operation and maintenance' by electro-magnetic induction of the telephone lines by defendant’s low-tension electric power and light- -plant recently constructed upon .the opposite side of the rural highway, plaintiff was at time of commencement of the action entitled to injunction against such interference. Held, further, the injunction having been denied, and the question now being one of dollars, .plaintiff-appellant should not have been limited to his remedy at law, since a court of equity having assumed jurisdiction, is authorized to determine the question of dollars.
Whiting, J., dissenting.
Appeal from Circuit Court, Spink County. Hon. Alva E. Taylor, Judge.
Action by Dakota Central Telephone Company, a corporation, against the Spink 'County Power Company, a corporation, to enjoin defend&nt from interfering through electro-magnetic induction from its power plant with plaintiffs telephone lines, and for other relief. From a judgment for defendant, plaintiff appeals.
Reversed, and remanded for further proceedings under instructions.
Null & Royhl, for Appellant.
Morris & Moriarty, for Respondent.
(io) To point ten, Appellant cited: Tri-County Mutual Tel. Co. v. Bridgewater Power Co. (6. D.), 167 N. W. 501; 90 Ohio St. 144-100 N. E. 970; Cumberland Telegraph Co. v. United Electric Co. (Penn.), 27 E. R. A. 236.
Respondent cited: Postal Tel. & C. Co. v. Chicago L. S. & S. B. Ry. Co., 97 N. E. 20; Western Union v. C. E. S. & S. B. Ry. Co., 97 N. E. 21; E. S. & M. S. Ry. v. C. L. S. & -S. B. Ry. Co., 92 N. E. 389; Citizens Tel. Co. v. Fort Wayne & So., too N. E. 309; Cumberland T. & T. Co. v. United Electric Co., 12 L. R. A. 544; Same Title, 27 L. R. A. 236; Hudson River Tel. Co. v. AVatervliet -Co., 17 E. R. A. 675; Cincinnati Jnc. Plane Ry. Co. v. 'City & Sub. Tel. Co., 12 E. R. A. 534; Gantz v. Postal 'Union, 140 Fed. 692.

Opinion:
GATE'S, J.
The ultimate concrete question now in this case is whether a telephone company using a low tension current of electricity and using the earth as a return circuit, the earlier occupant of a highway, or an electric power and light company, the 'later occupant, using a high tension current, shall bear the expense of installing a metallic return circuit in the telephone lines in order to eliminate the electromagnetic induction of the telephone lines by the power lines.
Without going extensively into the scientific aspects of the case, it may be stated that the evidence shows that electric interference between these lines arises in two ways; by conduction and bjr induction. Induction is of two kinds; static and magnetic. Interference by conduction ma}^ be practical^ eliminated by the proper erection and maintenance of the power line. Interference by static induction may be overcome by a proper balancing of the electric current in the power line. We take it that there is no dispute in this case, but that the power company must eliminate interference by conduction and by static induction. If there is a dispute we nevertheless hold that it mu(st do so. Electromagnetic induction is the transmission of electricity from, one electric circuit to another by means of an electric field. See Curtis, Electricity, § 349. This kind of interference may be practically prevented by a co-ordinated transposition of the wires on both systems, but this may be accomplished only where the electric circuits on both systems are metallic; hence the remedy cannot be applied to an earth return telephone line. No other practical method of prevention of magnetic induction is' suggested in the evidence.
Plaintiff owns and operates certain telephone lines in South Dakota," both rural and toll linep, and in particular owns and operates rural lines on the highway between Ashton and Frankfort.
Defendant owned and operated an electric light and power plant at Ashton, with lines to neighboring communities. In September, 1916, pursuant to permission of the county board, it set a line of poles between Ashton and Frankfort, and was about to install the necessary wires for the purpose of transmitting a current of about 6,600 volts, under what is called a 3-wire 60-cycle alternating" high power system:. Plaintiff sought injunction as an interference with its lines. The case was presented on its merits upon the application for a temporary' injunction, and in February, 1917, the trial court vacated the restraining order on condition that defendant should make certain changes in the construction of its line, take certain precautions to prevent interference by conduction, and move a portion of plaintiff's line to the other side of the highway. Defendant then completed its line, and 'began the transmission of its high power current. In November, 1917, a' further hearing was had. Plaintiff submitted proof to show that further requirements were necessary to protect plaintiff's lines. Defendant submitted proof that it had complied with the order of February, 1917. In August, 1918, the trial court filed its findings of fact and conclusions of law, and entered judgment denying" the injunction. Thereupon and from an order denying a new trial plaintiff appeals.
Appellant's right to the use of the highway arose from section 554,. Rev. C. C. 1903 (section 9791, Rev. Code 1919), and it had been in the actual operation of its rural line on said highway since about the year 1910.
Respondent's right to the use of the highway arose from chapter 369, Laws 1913 (Rev. Code 1919, § 8591-8594), but said chapter contains the following proviso:
"Provided that such transmission line shall not interfere with the service of any telephone or telegraph lines already constructed on such highway."
Notwithstanding the fact that the lines of the respective parties are on opposite sides of tire' highway, it appear^ by the clear preponderance of the evidence that by reason of electromagnetic induction the service of appellant's lines is, and will continue to be, substantially interfered with.
Appellant rather faintly contends that the Legislature was without pow'er to authorize the occupancy of the rural high ways for light and power transmission lines other than for the purpose of lighting the highways. We have no' hesitancy in holding that when land is taken or dedicated for use as a highway, such taking or dedication should be presumed to be, not merely for such purposes and usages as were' known and in vogue at the time oí such taking or dedication, but also for all public purposes present and prospective, then known or unknown, consistent withl the character of such highways and not actually detrimental to the abutting real estate. Cater v. N. W. Tel. Exch. Co., 60 Minn. 539, 63, N. W. in, 28 L. R. A. 310, 51 Am. St. Rep. 543; People v. Eaton, 100 Mich. 208, 59 N. W. 145, 24 L. R. A. 721; Com. v. Morrison, 197 Mass. 199, 83 N. E. 415, 14 L. R. A. (N. S.) 194, 125 Am. St. Rep. 338; Mordhurst v. Ft. Wayne & S. W. Tr. Co., 163 Ind. 268, 71 N. E. 642, 66 L. R. A. 105, 106 Am. St. Rep. 222, 2 Ann Cas. 967; Brandt v. Spokane & Inland Empire R. Co., 78 Wash. 214, 138 Pac. 871, 52 L. R. A. (N. S.) 760. Indeed it was the recognition of this principle that determined the decision of this court in Kirby v. Citizens' Tel. Co., 17 S. D. 362, 97 N. W. 3, 2 Ann. Cas. 152.
Appellant contends that under the rule that priority in time carries w|ith it priority of right, recognized by this court, in view of the proviso above quoted in Tri-County Mut. Tel. Co. v. Bridgewater Elec. Power Co., 40 S. D. 410, 167 N. W. 501, its right to the use of the earth as a return circuit should be protected.
Respondent contends, and our colleague agrees therewith, that under tire rule "Sic utere tuo," etc. (Rev. Code 1919, §45), tire appellant must suffer the interference with its service caused! by electromagnetic induction, or must abandon the use of the earth as a return circuit, and at its own expense install a metallic return circuit on the lines interfered with, as substantially found by the trial court. If the Legislature had so declared, we believe no constitutional principle would have been violated. If there had been no legislative direction either way, we believe that under the excellent argument and authorities advanced this court, with perfect propriety, might have laid down that rule. Curtis, Electricity, § 356, 357; Cumberland T. & T. Co. v. United Electric Ry. Co., 93 Tenn. 492, 29 S. W. 104, 27 L. R. A. 236; Cumberland T. & T. Co. v. United Ry. Co. (C. C.), 42 Fed. 273, 12 L. R. A. 544; Lake Shore & M. S. Ry. Co. v. Chicago, L. S. & S. Ry. Co., 48 Ind. App. 584, 92 N. E. 989, 95 N. E. 596; Cincinnati Inclined Ry. Co. v. City & Suburban Tel. Ass'n, 48 Ohio St. 390, 27 N. E. 890, 12 L. R. A. 534, 29 Am. St. Rep. 559; note Ann. Cas. 1916A, 135; Panton v. Holland, 17 Johns. (N. Y.) 92, 8 Am. Dec. 369.
But the Regislature did declare that the later transmission line should not "interfere with the service of any telephone or telegraph line already constructed on such highways."
We must presume that the Regislature of 1913 knew; of the extensive occupancy of the highways of 'the state by rural telephone lines using the earth as a return circuit. It is said there were then 20,000 miles of such lines in this state. It is a fact in this case that no power and light transmission line couldl be installed between Ashton and Frankfort without occupying a highway already occupied by such lines. We think the manifest intention of the Regislature was to protect telegraph and telephone lines previously constructed from interference with their service. Any other interpretation would merely give protection to such lines from the negligence of the power and light company, a protection which they .would have without that statute. 'Curtis, Electricity, § 357. If respondent is right in its view, protection is merely afforded (in the absence of negligence) to those lines that need no protection. But on the other hand, we do not 'believe that it was the intention of the Regislature to exclude the power and light transmission lines from occupied highways, provided a remedy could be found by changes and improvements in either system. If appellant must bear the expense of changing its system to a metallic return circuit, clearly it has not been protected in the right given it by that statute. If, however, such expense is borne by the power and light company, then the telephone company cannot justly say that it is not protected in the right acquired by reason of earlier occupancy of the highway. The respondent, therefore, should bear such expense.
Of course, in holding that the Regislature by the proviso intended to protect previously constructed! telephone and telegraph 'lines using the earth as a return circuit, it necessarily follows that under such' plan there must be proper construction and -proper maintenance. If there be faulty -construction or faulty maintenance such defects, must be remedied at the expense of the low power lines. The Legislature did not intend to encourage negligence.
The case of Lake Shore & M. S. Ry. Co. v. Chicago, L. S. & S. Ry. Co., supra, is cited by respondent as analogous in facts and as stating the law which should be applied in this case. In that case the court discussing priority of right in the occupancy of public highways said:
"But this fact [priority of occupancy] can have no legal bearing upon the question involved, for, as said in Thompson, Electricity, ' p. 57, 'In both of these cases the one having the prior right must yield his right and submit to damage and inconvenience to some extent for the good of his neighbor and of society."
This statement contains the gist of respondent's entire contention in thi,s case, and we might be disposed to adopt the view thus expressed had the legislature of this state not declared and' established a -different rule which this court in the exercise of its exclusively judicial powler cannot change or ignore. The Legislature in direct and specific terms has declared that the later transmission lines should "not interefere with the service of .any telephone or telegraph line airead} constructed- on such highway." We are told ' that the enforcement of this rule necessarily bars the later transmission lines from using the public -highways, and thus denies them a right intended to be conferred by- the Legislature. This assumption is not true. The right of 'both parties to occupancy of the -highways must be assumed, and such construction placed upon the statute as will enable both to use such highways. This we do by placing on the later transmission line the burden of removing interference by every scientific means, and! by holding that telephone and telegraph lines must allow such changes to be made in their lines at the expense of the transmission line as are necessary to remove interference resulting from the construction and use of such transmission line. The power of -the court to so frame its injunctional order as to accomplish .this purpose can hardly be questioned, and this we have done.
At the time of beginning this action appellant upon the showing made was entitled to an injunction. Tri-County Mut. Tel. Co. v. Bridgewater Electric Power. Co., supra; Curtis, Electricity, § 365. Since it w'as denied and the question now is one of dollars, it does not' follow that the appellant should be remitted to his remedy in an action at law. A court of equity having taken hold of the case is authorized to determine even the question of dollars.
The judgment and order appealed from are reversed, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings in harmony with this opinion. It is suggested that injunction may not necessarily be the immediate remedy. It is hoped that the parties may agree upon the sum that respondent should pay appellant as the necessary expense of installing so much of a metallic return circuit upon its lines as will obviate electromagnetic interference. If they do not agree, then evidence should be taken and the matter determined by the trial court. If the respondent unreasonably delays compliance with the court's requirements, injunction may then be resorted to.