DocketNumber: Docket No. 88
Citation Numbers: 170 Mich. 444
Judges: Bird, Blair, Brooke, McAlvay, Moore, Ostrander, Steere, Stone
Filed Date: 5/31/1912
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 9/8/2022
In September, 1908, while in the employ of defendant as a conductor, plaintiff was directed to take from the Warren avenue car house a car. He asked the car house foreman which car he should take out for his run. The foreman told .him to take the car on track No. 7. After plaintiff received this direction, he went to brack No. 7, untied the trolley pole which was tied down at the front end of the car, and turned the trolley around to the back end of the car. The car which plaintiff was to take out, and the one immediately behind it, were about five feet apart. He stepped on the fender of the rear car and adjusted the trolley to the wire. The instant the trolley touched the wire the car jumped back and injured the left leg of the plaintiff between the hip and knee. Suit was brought to recover damages for these injuries. No witnesses were sworn on the part of defendant. The trial judge directed a verdict in favor of the defendant. The case is brought here by writ of error.
It was the claim of the plaintiff, and he gave evidence tending to show, that the car house foreman was invested with complete control of the car house, car yard, and the cars therein placed from time to time; that he was invested with authority to order and direct conductors what cars to take out, and when to take them; that it was his duty, when he directed a conductor to take out a car, to see to it that the car was in a safe and proper condition to be taken out and that the apparatus in the motor end of the car was so adjusted that the current of electricity brought to said oar by contact of the trolley with the over
“ Plaintiff was entitled to go to the jury upon the question as to whether or not defendant was negligent in ordering plaintiff to take out the car in its then condition without previous inspection. * * *
“(1) Upon the theory that the car house foreman was a vice-principal and represented the master in this respect.
“(2) Upon the ground that the matter of the safety of the materials and appliances could not be delegated by the principal to another so as to relieve the master of any defect or want of safety therein.”
Before the claims can be properly understood, it is necessary to refer further to the record. The plaintiff had been in the employ of the defendant for a series of years, as conductor. He was furnished with a copy of the rules and was familiar with them. Among them were the following :
“Rule 144. Whether going ahead or backing, do not attempt to place the trolley on the wire until car has been brought to a standstill. A trolley wheel should never be taken off or put on the trolley wire while the controller is turned on.”
“ Rule 148. You are required to exercise the greatest precaution when backing cars, to prevent injury to persons or damage to the car or overhead wires, and under no circumstances must the car be moved backward until the trolley rope has been untied and the conductor is on the rear platform holding it and in position to promptly signal to avoid collision.”
“ Rule 180. After running the car into the car house or yard, motorman must throw off the overhead switch, move reverse lever to the off position and release brake. Conductor will remove trolley from the wire and place it in the trough, or tie it clear of the wire; also see that all doors and windows are closed, and that fires are properly regulated before leaving the car.”
The record shows that plaintiff did not wait for the ap
Judgment is affirmed.