Where the consignee of property transported by railroad to a point in this state cannot be found or refuses to receive and pay charges and remove the property, the company may make and collect such reasonable charges for the detention of any railroad car containing the property, or for the use of the railroad track occupied by such car, or for both, commonly called demurrage or car service, as the board of public utility commissioners shall by order or rule determine, and add such charge to the charge for the transportation of such property. Before imposing such charge the company shall give notice to the consignee or owner, or to the shipper where the consignee or owner cannot be found on whom to serve the notice.