$100 FOR O. M. REID'S AUTO.

The New York Times
April 9, 1914

Damages for Car Lost Off Lighter Set by Value on Bill of Lading.

Ogden Mills Reid received from the United States Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday an award of $100 damages against the International Mercantile Marine Company for the loss of an automobile valued at $4,000.

According to the papers in the suit the machine was brought from England by one of the defendant's liners and landed in Hoboken, where, as it was being placed on a lighter owned by T. Hogan and Son, Incorporated, it fell into the North River and was lost.

As the auto had been consigned in England to the care of the American Express Company, Mr. Reid sued for its full value T. Hogan and Son, Incorporated; James C. Fargo, President of the American Express Company, and the International Mercantile Marine Company.  He obtained judgment against the former two defendants, but his complaint against the Marine Company was dismissed in the Federal District Court.

On appeal the Circuit Court of Appeals decided that the International Mercantile Marine Company alone was responsible and that its liability was limited by the value of the machine according to the bill of lading.  This was only $100.