All companies, corporations, or individuals that now, or hereafter, may own or operate any railroads, in whole or in part, in the state, and all persons, firms, or companies, and all associations of persons, whether incorporated or not, that shall do business as a common carrier upon any of the lines of railway in this state, shall be and remain liable as a common carrier upon all less than carload shipments until the consignee shall be notified of the arrival of the shipment and has reasonable time and opportunity to receive same.