{ "id": 2993011, "name": "M. B. Donchian, Appellee, v. Brink's Chicago City Express Company, Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "Donchian v. Brink's Chicago City Express Co.", "decision_date": "1920-03-09", "docket_number": "Gen. No. 24,998", "first_page": "124", "last_page": "132", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "217 Ill. App. 124" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "194 Ill. 205", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5580579 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "212" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/194/0205-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 Ill. 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 831488 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "488" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/108/0484-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 Ill. 631", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5577986 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "643" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/192/0631-01" ] }, { "cite": "143 Ill. 490", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3080487 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "504" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/143/0490-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 Ill. 348", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5316904 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/73/0348-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 Ill. 471", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2624273 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/66/0471-01" ] }, { "cite": "42 Ill. 459", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "19 Ill. 578", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 441697 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/19/0578-01" ] }, { "cite": "69 Ill. 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2634450 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/69/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "250 Ill. 396", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3431411 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "401" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/250/0396-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 Ill. 337", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3338907 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "344" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/222/0337-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 Ill. 523", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2735144 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "530" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/93/0523-01" ] }, { "cite": "251 Ill. 243", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3435145 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "248" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/251/0243-01" ] }, { "cite": "237 Ill. 247", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3387059 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "249" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/237/0247-01" ] }, { "cite": "256 Ill. 66", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 4712668 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/256/0066-01" ] }, { "cite": "245 Ill. 410", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3407930 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "413" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/245/0410-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 751, "char_count": 17523, "ocr_confidence": 0.511, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.138363859351185e-08, "percentile": 0.47129118338559506 }, "sha256": "7f1162ef550eebc227b926e0f908ba0883f813285ca2f477fb68b2e0f0cb3c2d", "simhash": "1:8ca1d25a072bf3ce", "word_count": 3050 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:45:52.647786+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "M. B. Donchian, Appellee, v. Brink\u2019s Chicago City Express Company, Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Mr. Justice Gridley\ndelivered the opinion of the court.\nThis is an action of the fourth class, in contract, commenced in the municipal court of Chicago against the defendant, a common carrier, to recover the sum of $125, the value of a package of three rugs, which the defendant received from plaintiff and agreed to safely carry to the residence of a Mrs. Wilson in Chicago, but lost it in transit. It did not appear how the package was lost or that defendant was guilty of any negligence. Defendant admitted that the fair market value of the rugs was $125. Plaintiff\u2019s theory was that the defendant was liable for said amount as an insurer. The defense was that plaintiff was only entitled to recover the sum of $20 because of the fraud of plaintiff in concealing from defendant that the value of the package was in excess of $20. On the trial, in addition to certain documentary evidence, the testimony of two witnesses was heard,\u2014the plaintiff in his own behalf, and W. J. Bueneman, a driver for defendant. Plaintiff\u2019s shipping clerk, who delivered the package in question to Bueneman, on October 12, 1916, was not called as a witness, or the failure to produce him explained. The case was tried without a jury, and the court found the issues against defendant and assessed plaintiff\u2019s damages at $125, upon which finding the judgment appealed from was entered.\nThe following facts in substance were disclosed by the evidence: Plaintiff was a dealer in rugs at 21 S. Wabash avenue, Chicago. In the spring of 1915, about 18 months before the shipment of the package in question, Bueneman had a conversation with plaintiff relative to defendant making deliveries of packages for plaintiff in Chicago. At that time plaintiff was informed that the prices for deliveries of goods were fixed according to the weight and value of the goods, and plaintiff was given a blank receipt book, identical in form with the receipt book hereinafter mentioned, and, at plaintiff\u2019s request, the driver wrote in said book a schedule of charges based upon weight and value. Subsequently plaintiff gave many packages to defendant to be delivered to various places in Chicago. The usual method adopted was that plaintiff\u2019s shipping clerk would write on a page of said receipt book the name and address of the consignee of a particular package, and sometimes be would put down a value of the package on said page and sometimes not, then the amount of the total charge, based on value and weight, would be figured, and defendant\u2019s driver would receive the proper sum of money, sign a receipt for the package on said page and take the package away for delivery to the consignee. When the package in question was delivered to Bueneman, the shipping clerk presented to Bueneman for his signature a prepared receipt made out on one of the pages of a receipt book. This particular book was introduced in evidence by plaintiff, and is in the transcript of evidence before us. It was not the same book, though identical therewith, which had been given plaintiff in the spring of 1915. It apparently had been in use since April, 1916. It contained 48 pages. On each page there was a \u201cvalue\u2019\u2019 column, wherein could be written down the value of a particular package if that value exceeded $20, and there was printed on it, in large black type, up and down another column immediately to the left of the \u201cvalue\u201d column, the words: \u201cCorrect value must be stated hereon when same is more than $20.\u201d Each page also had printed on it at the top the words: \u201cIt is further agreed that in no event shall the holder hereof demand beyond the sum of twenty dollars, at which the article herein mentioned is valued, unless otherwise herein stated, in which event an additional charge will be made for insurance.\u201d On the next to the last page there appears the date, \u201c10/12/16,\u201d the name of the consignee, \u201cMrs. K. S. Wilson,\u201d and her address, all written in pencil and seemingly in the same handwriting ; opposite said name and address and in the column headed \u201cReceipted by\u201d is the name \u201cBueneman\u201d and the figures \u201c25,\u201d written in pencil in a different handwriting; in the \u201cvalue\u201d column opposite the name of Mrs. Wilson, no sum appears to be written, but in said column it appears as if something had been erased; on the same page are the names of three other consignees and their respective addresses, and opposite each is the name \u201cBueneman,\u201d and the abbreviated words and figures \u201cPd. 50,\u201d all written in pencil. An examination of the other pages of said receipt book discloses that all writing thereon is in pencil; that the date on the second page is. \u201c4/26/16\u201d; that the other pages bear dates subsequent thereto; that there are written names and addresses of other consignees on most of the other pages, opposite which frequently appears in the \u201cReceipted by\u201d, column, the name \u201cBueneman,\u201d and occasionally other names; that, opposite the names of many of said other consignees and in the \u201cvalue\u201d column, there are written figures denoting the value of the particular package; that in several instances these figures are \u201c$50,\u201d and in some \u201c$25,\u201d \u201c$56,\u201d \u201c$60,\u201d and \u201c$104,\u201d and that frequently no figures at all appear in said column. Bueneman testified in substance that on the day the package was delivered to him by the shipping clerk, in the rear of plaintiff\u2019s store, he asked if said clerk had \u201cput the value down\u201d; that the clerk replied, \u201cNo, it is under $20\u201d; that only said clerk and the witness were present at this conversation; that said clerk then went to plaintiff, who was in the front of the store, and \u201cbrought back the money,\u201d gave it to the witness and he receipted for the package and took it away; that a few days afterwards he learned that the package had been lost and he went again to plaintiff\u2019s store, saw plaintiff and said shipping clerk, and also the receipt he had signed; that the receipt then had \u201c$125\u201d written in the value column, opposite Mrs. Wilson\u2019s name, which figures were not there when he receipted for the package; that he told plaintiff that \u201cthe receipt would be void with the value put in afterwards \u2019 \u2019; and that thereupon plaintiff said he would \u201crub it out,\u201d and did so. Plaintiff, in his testimony, admitted that the \u201c$125\u201d value had been written on the receipt by somebody after Bueneman had receipted for the package, and that after his talk with Bueneman the figures were erased; and that he (plaintiff) was in the rear of his store, on October 12, 1916, when the package in question was delivered to Bueneman, that nothing was said at that time by 'either Bueneman or the shipping clerk as to the value of the package, and that he heard \u201cpractically\u201d everything that was said at the time by either Bueneman or said clerk. Plaintiff further testified in substance that, while he had \u2018 glanced over these receipts many times,\u201d yet he, personally, \u201cdid not know that there was a provision in the receipt limiting the liability for loss to $20 unless the value was stated\u201d; but that he did not know whether said shipping clerk knew of the limitation or not. Bueneman further testified in substance that plaintiff\u2019s different shipping clerks had many times delivered packages to him, as defendant\u2019s driver, and paid him charges thereon based upon value as well as weight.\n\u201cAt common law a carrier might by special contract stipulate against liability for any loss not the result of its own negligence or that of its servants.\u201d (Ellison v. Adams Exp. Co., 245 Ill. 410, 413.) By section 1 of chapter 27 of the Revised Statutes of Illinois (Hurd\u2019s Rev. St. 1917, J. & A. \u00b6 2165), it is provided that it shall not be lawful for a common carrier to limit its common-law liability safely, to deliver property \u201cby any stipulation or limitation expressed in the receipt given for such property.\u201d In Nonotuck Silk Co. v. Adams Exp. Co., 256 Ill. 66, it is decided that a provision in an express company\u2019s receipt, limiting the amount of liability to a certain sum less than the value of the goods in case no valuation is given, is an attempt by the express\" company to limit its common-law liability. (See also, Cutter v. Wells, Fargo & Co., 237 Ill. 247.) In Plaff v. Pacific Exp. Co., 251 Ill. 243, 248, it is said: \u201cThe law is, we think, settled in this State that where a common carrier delivers to the shipper a receipt for goods received for shipment which limits its common-law liability, in order to bind the shipper it must be made to appear by the carrier that the shipper was atoare of the restriction contained in the receipt.\u201d In Boscowitz v. Adams Exp. Co., 93 Ill. 523, 530, it is said: \u201cA clause in a receipt given to a shipper of goods limiting and restricting the carrier\u2019s common-law liability incident to its general employment, if understandingly assented to by the owner, will as effectually bind him as though he had signed it. Whether such restrictions have been assented to in any given case is always a matter of evidence. \u2019 \u2019 And the burden is upon the carrier to show that the shipper assented to the restrictions. (Wabash R. Co. v. Thomas, 222 Ill. 337, 344; Illinois Match Co. v. Chicago, R. I. & P. Ry. Co., 250 Ill. 396, 401.) In the case of Henry Oppenheimer & Co. v. United States Exp. Co., 69 Ill. 62, the question presented, under the peculiar facts disclosed by the evidence, was as to the effect of the clause in a receipt restricting the liability of the carrier to a certain named amount unless the value of the package is stated. The court said that \u201cthe'denial in the testimony that the consignors had knowledge of this condition in the receipt must be held to be overcome by the circumstances of the case.\u201d The court further said (p. 66) :\n\u201cA distinction exists between the effect of those notices by a carrier which seek to discharge him from duties which the law has annexed to his employment, and those, like the one in question, designed simply to insure good faith and fair dealing on the part of his employer\u2014in the former case, notice alone not being-effectual, without an assent to the attempted restriction; while in the latter case, notice alone, if brought home to the knowledge of the owner of the- property delivered for carriage, will be sufficient. * * * The common carrier is liable, as we find it frequently laid down, in respect to his reward, and the compensation should be in proportion to the risk. As the carrier incurs a heavy responsibility, he has a right to demand from the employer such information as will enable him to decide on the proper amount of compensation for his services and risk, and the degree of care which he ought to bestow in discharging his trust. * * * But independent of the qualifying provision contained in the receipt, we should be inclined to sustain the defendant\u2019s claim of exemption from liability on the ground of a want of good faith in not disclosing the value of the goods. * * * This (certain evidence as outlined) shows that there was a designed suppression of the value of the goods. That was unfair conduct on the part of the shippers of the goods. The effect of such conduct to relieve the carrier from his liability as insurer, is asserted in the cases of Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Thompson, 19 Ill. 578, and American Exp. Co. v. Perkins, 42 Ill. 459. * * * The court below was justified in coming to the conclusion that the consignors elected to take the risk of the loss, rather than subject the plaintiffs to the enhanced charges that would have been made had the value of the package been disclosed. \u201d\nIn the Boscovitz case, supra, in referring to said Oppenheimer case, our Supreme Court said (p. 531):\n\u201cWhile that case declares salutary rules designed to secure good faith between the shipper and the carrier, it does not go to the extent counsel seem to understand it. We do not wish to be understood as departing in any degree from the law declared to be applicable to the facts of that case. * * * It will be seen there is in that c\u00e1se no departure from the uniform decisions of this court, that a carrier cannot he released from the duties and liabilities annexed to its employment, unless the shipper assents to the attempted restrictions. That is apparent from the fact it is said, in the beginning of the case, \u2018the denial in the testimony that the consignors had knowledge of this condition in the receipt nlust be held to be overcome by the circumstances of the case. \u2019 The condition to which reference is made is the limitation clause as to the amount of recovery in case of loss, where no valuation of the goods .is stated. _ On looking into the facts of the case, the conclusion was fully warranted. There was in that case what is very justly characterized as \u2018unfair conduct on the part of the shippers of the goods.\u2019 \u201d\nIn the Cutter case, above cited (237 Ill. 247, 249), it is said: \u201cThe Oppenheimer case was explained in Boscovitz v. Adams Exp. Co., supra, and as there explained is not in conflict with the other Illinois cases cited above.\u201d In other cases decided in this State it has been held that, where there is a concealment of the value of the goods delivered for transportation, the common carrier is relieved from its liability as an insurer of the full value. (Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Shea, 66 Ill. 471; Michigan Cent. R. Co. v. Carrow, 73 Ill. 348.)\nWe think it clearly appears from all the evidence in this case, notwithstanding plaintiff\u2019s testimony to the contrary, that plaintiff' had knowledge of the condition mentioned in the receipts given from time to time by defendant to plaintiff for packages, limiting defendant\u2019s liability for loss to $20 unless a different value was stated in said receipts, and had assented to such condition; that the package in question was shipped without specifying any value in excess of $20, and with such knowledge and assent; and that the real value was at the time of shipment concealed from the defendant. And we are of the opinion that, under the law applicable to such facts? the trial court should have limited plaintiff\u2019s recovery to the sum of $20. And this canse having been tried before the court without a jury, we can enter here such judgment as the trial court should have rendered. (Manistee Lumber Co. v. Union Nat. Bank, 143 Ill. 490, 504; Papke v. G. H. Hammond Co., 192 Ill. 631, 643.)\nAccordingly, the judgment of the municipal court will be reversed, and judgment entered here against the appellant for $20, but the costs in this court will be taxed against the appellee. (Moore v. People, 108 Ill. 484, 488; Romberg v. McCormick, 194 Ill. 205, 212.)\nReversed and judgment here/ for $20 against appellant with finding of facts.", "type": "majority", "author": "Mr. Justice Gridley" }, { "text": "Mr. Presiding Justice Matchett and Mr. Justice Barnes\nconcur.\nFinding of facts. We find as ultimate facts that at the time of the shipment of the package in question, the plaintiff, M. B. Donchian, had knowledge of, and had assented to, the condition specified in the receipt given by the defendant, Brink\u2019s Chicago City Express Company, whereby said defendant\u2019s liability for loss of said package was limited to $20, unless a greater value was in said receipt stated; that at said time no greater value was stated by plaintiff in said receipt or otherwise; and that at the time of said shipment the plaintiff, acting in bad faith, concealed from the defendant the true value of the contents of said package.", "type": "concurrence", "author": "Mr. Presiding Justice Matchett and Mr. Justice Barnes" } ], "attorneys": [ "William English, for appellant.", "Joseph D. Irose, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "M. B. Donchian, Appellee, v. Brink\u2019s Chicago City Express Company, Appellant.\nGen. No. 24,998.\n1. Cabbiers, \u00a7 161 \u2014right to stipulate against liability for loss at common law. At common law a carrier may, by special contract, stipulate against liability for any loss not the result of its own negligence or that of its servants.\n2. Cabbiers, \u00a7 165*\u2014limitation on liability on basis of vcilue stated. Where a shipper has knowledge of a provision in a carrier\u2019s receipts given him by the carrier whereby the carrier limits his liability for loss to a specified amount unless a different value is stated in the receipt and assents thereto, he cannot recover of the carrier an amount in excess of that stipulated on the loss of his shipment.\n3. Cabbiers, \u00a7 178*\u2014lohen evidence shows assent of shipper to limitation on liability. In an action by a shipper against an ex-pressman to recover for the loss of the shipment, evidence examined and held to show that the shipper had knowledge of a provision in the expressman\u2019s receipt placing a limit on the value of shipments in the absence of another value being stated by the shipper, and that the shipper assented to such limitation and made the shipment without specifying the value of the article but concealed its real value.\n4. Appeal and error, \u00a7 1810*\u2014power of Appellate Court to enter judgment where cause tried without a jury. Where a case is tried before the court without a jury, the Appellate Court may enter there such a judgment as the trial court should have entered. \u00a1\n5. Costs, \u00a7 89*\u2014on reversal and entry of judgment against appellant for a less amount. Where, on appeal, the judgment below is reversed and judgment is entered against the appellant for a less amount, the costs in the Appellate Court will be taxed against the appellee.\nAppeal from the Municipal Court of Chicago; the Hon. Prank H. Graham, Judge, presiding. Heard in the Branch Appellate Court at the March term, 1919.\nReversed and judgment with finding of facts.\nOpinion filed March 9, 1920.\nWilliam English, for appellant.\nJoseph D. Irose, for appellee.\nSee Illinois Notes Digest, Vols. XI to XV, and Cumulative Quarterly, same topic and section number." }, "file_name": "0124-01", "first_page_order": 150, "last_page_order": 158 }