NORFOLK-SOUTHERN R CO v. OWENS , 256 U.S. 565 (1921)

June 1, 1921

Mr. W. B. Rodman, of Norfolk, Va., for petitioner. [256 U.S. 565, 566]  

Mr. Justice BRANDEIS deivered the opinion of the Court.

This case comes here on writ of certiorari ( 251 U.S. 550 , 40 Sup. Ct. 342) to the Supreme Court of North Carolina, which affirmed ( Owens v. Hines, 178 N. C. 325, 100 S. E. 617) a judgment of $21 against the Norfolk-Southern Railroad Company in favor of Owens, a shipper. The amount was assessed under a statute of the state as a penalty for undue delay in making delivery of an intrastate shipment made March 27, 1918. At that time the railroad was in the possession and control of the government, and was being operated by the Director General under the Federal Control Act of March 21, 1918, c. 25, 40 Stat. 451 (Comp. St. 1918, Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1919, 3115 3/4 a-3115 3/4 p). The only question presented for decision is whether the company was liable for the penalty. We are of opinion that it was not, for the reasons stated in Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. v. Ault, 256 U.S. 554 , 41 Sup. Ct. 593, 65 L. Ed. --, decided this day.

Reversed.