Legal Document

337 U.S. 801 69 Supreme Court Reporter 1326 93 L.Ed. 1704 WEADE et al.v.DICHMANN, WRIGHT & PUGH, Incorporated Number 179. Argued Feb. 1, 1949. Decided June 27, Mr. William E. Leahy, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Leavenworth Colby, respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On August 3, 1945, at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, petitioners, Mrs. Lillian Atlantic Weade and Roberta L. Stinemeyer, purchased tickets embarked as passengers on Meteor, a steamboat owned by United States through War Shipping Administration operating between Norfolk, D.C. The ladies retired to their stateroom about 11:00 p.m. because warm weather opened both glass shutter window which faced onto boat deck. During night second cook Meteor entered open raped Weade, who was sleeping upon lower berth. Stinemeyer suffered fright shock from witnessing this atrocity. perpetrator crime subsequently tried, convicted And executed. 2 This case involves liability general agent under contract similar that discussed in Cosmopolitan company versus McAllister, 783, 1317, 351, 1948 Term, decided day. agency agreement covered passenger boats an addendum providing additional services agent.1 3 Petitioners her husband, instituted civil action damages against respondent District Eastern Virginia. husband alleged his loss consortium expenses hospitalization wife. Petitioner brought separate same court. Jurisdiction actions based diversity citizenship, two were consolidated trial. In addition, filed libel admiralty States, has been continuing pending final determination present proceedings. 4 complaint alleged, so far now important, operated common carrier petitioners injured failure provide adequate protection its personal misconduct employees, use due care selection reliable, careful, competent employees. is substantially specifications negligence, though it did not assert itself carrier, but allege injury occurred act respondent's answer denied vessel master crew further Administration, only performed certain owner ship accordance with standard service agreement. 5 jury triers fact proceeding instructed matter law virtue actual operator owing highest degree passengers. trial judge charged duty exercise extended all acts included safe accommodations passengers, suitable number watchmen, competent, sober returned verdicts motion judgment notwithstanding verdict, stating reason therefor (168 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 914, 916): 'While Hust Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc., 328 707, 66 1218, 90 1534, precisely point, my view controlling defendant concerned.' appeal Appeals Fourth Circuit reversed held Caldarola Eckert, 332 155, 67 1569, 91 1968, pro hac vice possession control thus could be liable safety Dichmann, Wright Pugh Cir., 168 914. 6 Under our holding today instructions referred above erroneous. Respondent vice, vessel, employer or crew. revolved around these questions concern problem negligence part own agents handling voyage distinguished vice. 7 urge point brief ground upholding decision court respondent, duties imposed General Agency Agreement, public concerned. support contention they issue tickets, maintain n directed terminals offices, arrange loading unloading advertising, provisioning ship, procuring officers hire master. performance such shoreside duties, however, does make anyone.2 8 At insistence Navy, 1945 nightly steamboats Norfolk Washington. name given Washington-Hampton Roads Line, one vessels employed therein. These assigned GAA 4-4-42 agreement,3 had some twenty cargo vessels. It will noted Article 3A(f) addendum, transportation purpose. ticket, set out margin,4 bears express notation line 'Operated America, Administration,' serving capacity agent. 9 Respondent's ships 'to transportation' them. other hand, transport whoever employs it.5 Here called carried Administration. ended shore line. supra. cases cited petitioner involve situations where movement goods agent.6 here any way engaged carriage Washington never ready engage traffic. As mere arranger incur carrier. 10 Apart reliance contract, argue independently unsuitable members. theory relied Instructions requested. charge principal responsible tort committed steamship personnel including personnel. basis developed causes action, verdict favor. conclusion judge's charge, counsel stated, 'If your Honor please, we have no exceptions.' circumstances, error cannot urged point. See Rule 8(1), 28 U.S.C.A.; 51 Rules Civil Procedure, Atkinson, 297 157, 56 391, 80 555. 11 By below, enter verdict. there suggestions evidence while acting agent, direction should given. Brady Roosevelt S.S. Co., 317 575, 63 425, 87 471.7 modified eliminate judgment.8 12 We what circumstances might fix 13 Affirmed modified. 14 BLACK, DOUGLAS, MURPHY, RUTLEDGE dissent. note infra, 46 C.F.R.Cum. Supp. § 306.44. Term. 'Whereas, America (Herein 'United States') Administrator, Pugh, (herein 'General Agent') into Agreement (Contract WSA—4098) dated January 9, 1943 'Service Agreement') whereby appointed Agent manage conduct business States; desirable practicable uniform provisions 'Now, Therefore: 'The agree heretofore hereafter allocated Unitd shall governed Service follows: 'Section 1. 3A hereby amended adding provision following subsection (e) thereof "(f) Shall when directed, cause issued customary tickets. After ticket adopted used soon after receipt Agent. Pending issuance may continue form ticket.' 2. apply operation Part II, are listed Exhibit B attached hereto made hereof, time letter 'In witness whereof * *.' 'Issued 'Washington-Hampton Line 'One First Class Passage 'Norfolk, Comfort Va. 'Subject Following contract: 'This void unless officially stamped dated. 'Baggage valuation limited $100 adult $50 child, purchaser hereof declares greater baggage presented pays excess charges according tariff rates, rules regulations. moneys valuables deposited Purser Steamer, nor properly checked. imited passage within thirty days date sale back. 'Dichmann, 'I. S. Walker, Gen. Passenger Agent.' Propeller Niagara Cordes, 21 How. 7, 22, 16 41; ex rel. Stimson Lumber Kuykendall, 275 207, 211, 48 41, 42, 72 241; Brooklyn Terminal, 249 296, 305—306, 39 283, 285, 286, 613, American Law Reports 527; Cf. Lehigh Valley R. 243 444, 37 434, 61 839; I.C.C. Delaware, Lackawanna Western 220 235, 31 392, 55 448. Union Stock Yard Transit 308 213, 60 193, 84 198. Restatement, 358. Globe Liquor San Roman, 571, 68 246, 92 177; Cone West Virginia Paper 330 212, 752, 849.

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