Larkin Co. v. New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad

This action, which is in the nature of a test case to determine a large number of unpaid claims of a similar character, was brought to recover damages for the loss of premium merchandise shipped by the plaintiff over defendant’s line of railroad.

There is no dispute as to the shipment or the loss of the merchandise.

The only question in dispute relates to the measure of damages, and involves an interpretation of the clause in the so-called “uniform bill of lading” adopted several years ago by an agreement of the interstate commerce commission with the various common carriers of the country, one…