Great Northern Railway Co. v. Otos

This is an action under the Safety Appliance Act and Employers’ Liability Act. The plaintiff (defendant in error,) was a switch foreman and was breaking up a train that had come into his State from the west. At the moment when he was hurt he had three cars attached to a switching engine; the rear one consigned to Duluth, and to be switched to another track; the next consigned to Minneapolis; both loaded. The automatic coupler on the Minneapolis car was out of order, the pin-lifter was missing, other repairs were needed, and there was evidence that it had been iparked for repairs and was to be…