408
75 FEDERAl, REPORTER.
Idly mounted on the frame, A, move directly forward, as the drill progresses· through the field, in parallel lines; but the outer drill-teeth, being mounted on the spring-J:t!ounted wings, B, as they move along next hills, will swing in and out, and accommodate themselves to the inequalities in the ground produced by such hills, and leave a line of seed which practically follows the bases of the hills of corn. By this means any tearing up of the hills of corn is avoided, and at the same time the grain is drilled very close to them, which is very desirable."
Only claims 1 and 2 are involved in this suit.
They are as follows:
"(1) The combination, in a grain drill, of the main or central frame, A, the usual drill mechanism and drill-teeth, and the outer frame parts or wings, B, said Wings being pivoted to the frame, A, with springs Interposed between said wings and said frame. (2) The combination of the main frame, A, the usual seed-box and feeding mechanism, the spring-mounted wings, B, and spouts leading from the seed-box to the drill-teeth; the spouts which lead to the teeth on said wings being of a telescopic construction, SUbstantially as set forth."
The defenses are want of invention as shown by the prior state of the art, anticipation as disclosed by certain prior patents, and non· infringement. The patent is prima facie evidence of both uovelty and utility, and neither of these presumptions has been rebutted by the evidence. On the contrary, they are strengthened. No anticipation of the complainants' combination is shown, although the attempt has been made to prove anticipation. The fad that it has been infringed is admitted by the defendants' expert, and its utility is sufficiently established as against the defendants by their infringement of it, as well as by direct proofs of utility found in the record. Let a decree be entered adjUdging the validity acnd infringement of claims 1 and 2, with the usual injunction and reference for an accounting.
O'CONNELL v. ONE THOUSAND AND TWO BALES OF SISAL HEMP. (District Court, S. D. Alabama. March 20, 1896.) No. 743. 1. ADMIRALTY PLEADING-AMENDMENTS.
Amendments to the libel are allowable, in the discretion of the court, until the termination of the cause, and even in matters of substance: and an amended or supplemental libel may be allowed to stand as an original libel. But amendments are limited by due consideration of the rights of the opposite party, and will be denied if his rights would be prejudiced.
2. SHIPPING-BILLS OF LADING-REFERENCE TO CHAR'fER PARTY.
Acceptance of a bill of lading containing the words, "Freights and all other conditions as per charter party," brings into the contract, not only all conditions of the charter party which relate to the payment of freight, strictly so called, but all that are referable to the subject-matter of the receipt, the carriage, and the discharge of the cargo.
3.
SAME-AT,TERATION OF BILL OF, LADING.
A shipper has no right, without the master's consent, to strike from the bill of lading the clause, "Freight and fl,ll other conditions as per charter party."
This was a libel by William H. O'Connell, master of the steamship Ravensdale, against 1,002 bales of Sisal hemp, claimed by Thebaud
O'COXNELL V. ONE THOUSAND & TWO BALES OF SISAL HEMP.
409
Bros., to enforce payment of freight. The cause was heard on ex· ceptions to the amended libel, and on motion to strike out. For report of the decision on the merits, see 75 Fed. 410. Clark & Clark, for libelant. Pillans, Torrey & Hanaw, for claimants. TOULMIN, District Judge. Amendments in the pleadings are allowable in admiralty, in the discretion of the court, at any time until the termination the cause, and it is in the discretion of the court to allow amendments even with respect to matters of substance. But amendments are always limited by due consideration of the rights of the opposite party, and where, by the amendment, he would be prejudiced, it is not allowed. The Edwin Post, 6 Fed. 206; The Imogene Terry, 19 Fed. 463; l'he Corozal, 19 Fed. 655. A supplemental libel may be allowed to stand as an original libel. Henderson v. Three Hundred Tons of Iron Ore, 38 Fed. 36. The amendments in this case do not prejudice the claimants. No answer has \been filed, and no evidence taken. The court will allow the amended libel to stand as the original libel, and will therefore overrule the motion to strike it out. There are some allegations in the original and amended libel that are inconsistent, and also some averments in the amended libel as to matters occurring subsequent to the filing of the original libel, but they are immaterial, and need not be specially noticed. Now, as to the exceptions to the libel on the merits of the case. I understand the law to be that a shipowner can avail himself of rights given by the charter party, when indicated in the bill of lading, even to the prejudice of the shipper. If the bill of lading incorporates the terms of the charter party by using comprehensive words, as paying "freight and all other conditions as per charter party," the owner's lien on the goods for the charter freight is preserved. Carv. Carr. by Sea, pp. 671, 672, §§ 668, 669. The clause, "Freight and all other conditions as per charter," will incorporate into a bill of lading all conditions in the charter applicable to and consistent with the character of the bill of lading. Scrutton, Charter Parties, arts. 18, 19, pp. 36, 39, 40. Words of general reference to the charter party bring into the bill of lading all those clauses and conditions of the charter party which are not specifically dealt with by the bill of lading itself, and are not contradictory to or inconsistent with the terms of the bill of lading. Gardner v. Trechmann, 5 Asp. 558, 559; 2 Pritch. Adm. Dig. p. 485, § 149. When the bill of lading expresses that the consignee is to pay "freight and all other conditions as per charter party," "all other conditions" means performing or satisfying all other conditions of the charter party; and it is held that they would have no application unless they secured the liens of the shipowner under the charter part,y." Carv. Carr. by Sea, p. 638, § 637. And it is also held that, where the consignee is to pay "freight and all other conditions as per charter party," the conditions of paying the dead freight and demurrage due under the charter are brought in, and the liens are preserved. Id. §§ 637-671. The shipowner has
410
75 FEDERAL REPORTER.
a lien on the cargo for the charter freight, as against the charterer, his agents, and those who have notice of the charter party. 2 Pritch. Adm. Dig. p. 615, § 1229, and authorities therein cited. This libel is filed to recover the charter hire of the ship. It is alleged in the libel that the bill of lading signed by the master contained the words, "Freight and all other conditions as per charter party." My opinion is that the words "all other conditions as per charter pady," not only include such conditions as are connected with paying freight, strictly so called, but all that are referable to the subject-matter of the receipt, the carriage and the discharge of the cargo. The libel also aJleges knowledge of the charter party by the shippers, and shows that the charter party provides for a lien on cargo and freight in favor of the shipowner. The master's right was to insist on the bill of lading as signed by him, and the shipper had not the right to alter, by striking out the words, ''Freight and all other conditions as per charter party," without the master's consent, as it is alleged it did. The allegations of the libel are admitted to be true for the purposes of this hearing. If true, my opinion is that the libelant has made out a case which entitles him to recover for the hire or use of the ship. The exceptions must be overruled. and it is so ordered.
O'CONNELL v. ONE THOUSAND AND TWO BALES OF SISAL HEMP.
(District Court. S. D. Alabama. July 30, 1896.) No. 743.
1.
BILLS OF LADING-ALTERATION BY SHIPPER-AcQUIESCENCE OF MASTER.
Bills of ladIng sIgned after the cargo was all on board contained the words, "FreIght and all conditions as per charter party." The shipper, who supposed the vessel to be under charter, but was ignorant of the terms of the charter party, refused to accept the bUls In this form, and In the presence of the master, and with his acquiescence, struck out tIle words. Held that, notwithstandIng a subsequent protest by the master, the contract of carriage was controlled by the bills of lading alone, independently of the terms of the charter party.
2.
SHIPPING-DISBURSEMENTS BY SHIPPER AS AGENT FOR CHARTERER.
Where a shipper, acting also as agent for the charterers, disbursed the ship in a foreign port, held, that his consignees were not entitled to deduct the amount of such disbursements from the freight, when tIle freight was sued for by the shipowners In enforcement of their lien for the charter hire.
This was a libel in rem by William H. O'Connell, master of the steamship Ravensdale, against 1,002 bales of sisal hemp, claimed by Thebaud Bros., to enforce payment of freight. An opinion was heretofore filed on exceptions to the libel and motion to strike ont. 75 Fed. 408. The cause has now been heard on the merits. Clark & Clark and Converse & Kirlin, for libelant. Pillans, Torrey & Hanaw, for claimants.