Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-20
Nebraska
PAINTING BERTHA IN LINCOLN
Woman Held for Shoplifting an
Omaha Police Character.
GOVERNOR ALDRICH ENDS TRIP
Chief Executive Returns After q
Speaking Tour over state-RaiI-
way Commission Puts over
Capital Rate Case.
From a staff corrsspondentl

1
LINCOLN, May 19.-CspeciaL) Mrs. J.
Armstrong, who was arrested at the
IAndell hotel yesterday, on a charge Of
shop lifting and who attracted great at
tenuon on her way to the police station
by swearing and sryinR loudly, was
brought into police court this morning.
She refused TO give any Of her past hos
tory and stin mRnifests occasional hysteri-
cal moods.
The police are inclined to believe that
they have the famous Painting Bertha"
IAebke in charge A travelling man assisted
in the Identification.
Governor f. Back.
Governor Aldrich has returned from a
strenuous trip and speechmaking tour He
first went to Kearney and after remaining
over night reviewed the parade OF old
soldiers at the annual encsmpment Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic at 8
o'clock in the morning. There were $50
veterans and 1900 children in the parade.
Governor Aldrich reviewed the parade and
delivered an address. At u:8 he started
TO Gothenburg. A company OF North
Platte High school cadets camped near
the city was visited by the governor and
he delivered another address. In the even
ing the Gothenburg Commercial club gave
him a reception and the governor again
gave an address. Later In the evening he
delivered a commencement address to the
high school graduates. At this commence
ment more than 1000 people were assem-
bied. The governor was taken during the
day to visit some of the farms near
Gothenburg He found the county settled
mostly by Swedes and he is loud in his
praise Of their thrift and worth as citizens.
At the high school commencement most Of
the graduates were children OF Swedish
parentages
Trolley Rates stand.
Tho State Railway commission today is
sued an order continuing the present rate
OF fare Of the Lincoln Traction company
in force until January, 1912, deferring final
action on the request for an increased
rate Of fare and without holding that the
present earnings are adequate. Chairman
II. ]. Winnett OF the commission wrote
the opinion. He holds that under ordinary
circumstances a street railway company
should be entitled to earn per cent in
excess Of the customary and existing rate
OF interest on fixed interest bearing
securities.
The opinion was given in the matter Of
a request OF the Lincoln Traction company
to increase its rates from six tickets for
rs cents to cents straight. The company
auego0 tnat the present rate goes not
produce sufficient revenue to pay operat-
ing expenses, depreciation, fixed charges
and q fair return upon the value of the
property as fixed by the commission.
demonstrators contended that the COM
pany should not be permitted to charge a
higher rate, because the management had
dealt unfairly with the people by making
promises that were not fulfilled. by draw
inR salaries not earned. by building lines
that were not needed. by employing men
who fall below the standard in efficiency,
by continuing to operate improbable lines,
by threatening to discontinue or give less
service on lines not paying expenses and
by paying salaries to officers who are al
ready fully compensated for their time by
pther organizations with which they are
connected.
Gates Parker ArratEned.
The case against Gates Parker, charged
with child desertion and failure to support
was heard yesterday afternoon by Justice
StevenA The complaint was signed by
Mrs. Parker The defense sought TO show
that Mr. and Mrs. Parker had settled Their
financial matters before they separated
and with the understanding that the wife
was to thereafter support the child He
IL wanted in Omaha for passing n worsei
less check for over 500. When arraignec
on the child desertion charge he gave bal
IN Nha ann af