Effective - 28 Aug 1939
389.540. Shipments of grain in bulk. — 1. Every railroad corporation which shall receive any grain in bulk for transportation to any place within the state shall transport and deliver the same to any consignee, elevator, warehouse or place to whom or to which it may be consigned and directed; provided, such person, warehouse or place can be reached by any track owned, leased or used, or which can be used by such corporation; and every such corporation shall permit connections to be made and maintained with its track to and from any and all public warehouses where grain is or may be stored.
2. Any such corporation neglecting or refusing to comply with the requirements of this section shall be liable to all persons injured thereby for all damages which they may sustain on that account, whether such damages result from any depreciation in the value of such property, by such neglect or refusal to deliver such grain as directed, or in loss to the proprietor or manager of any public warehouse to which it is directed to be delivered and costs of suit, including such reasonable attorney's fees as shall be taxed by the court.
3. And in case of any second or later refusal of such railroad corporation to comply with the requirements of this section, such corporation shall be, by the court, in an action on which such failure or refusal shall be found, adjudged to pay, for the use of the people of this state, a sum of not less than one thousand nor more than five thousand dollars, for each and every such failure or refusal, and this may be a part of the judgment of the court in any second or later proceeding against such corporation.
4. In case any railroad corporation shall be found guilty of having violated, failed or omitted to observe and comply with the requirements of this section, or any part thereof, three or more times, it shall be lawful for any person interested to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction, and obtain the appointment of a receiver to take charge of and manage such railroad corporation until all damages, penalties, costs and expenses adjudged against such corporation for any and every violation shall, together with interest, be fully satisfied.
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(RSMo 1939 § 5225)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 4768; 1919 § 9956; 1909 § 3153