§ 273. Railroad or steamboat company may act as agent of owner. The several superintendents of the railroad companies, and the branches and connections thereof, and steamboat lines operating their roads or lines, or any portion thereof, in this state shall have power to collect, gather and take into possession from any person or whenever found thereupon, any cans belonging to any such owner, dealer or shipper, and return the same to such owner, dealer or shipper and may appoint an agent for that purpose, and such superintendent and such agent appointed by him shall have the same power and authority under this article as an agent of such owner, dealer or shipper.

The certificate of such superintendent appointing such agent duly acknowledged shall be presumptive evidence of the appointment and authority of such agent.