The sun., 1899-07-08
mrs RANK AND Par REDUCED.
Civil Service Reform League Makes an APP
penl to tho POatmaster.

Secretary George McAneny OF the National
Civil Service Reform League has taken IN the
case OF Robert J. Lusk. who was recently trans
ferred from his place as Superintendent of
Post ONCE Station G.. which paid him $1,000
year. to that OF separator, or mail clerk. In
Station c at n salary OF Sl.OOO Postmaster
Van Colt said the transfer was mado for the
best interests Of the service. that no had irc-
quontly visited Station and found Lusk alb
sent. and that Lusk wos generally inattentive
to his duties and inefficient. Mr. Van Cott has
received a communicate from the Secretary
ot the Civil Service League which calls ntten-
tion to paragraph Of President Mcknleys
recent civil service order. upon tho construc-
tion OF which tho right to "constructivoy re-
move" that Is. to reduce or transfer an en-
ployce OF tho classified civil service. rests. Tho
communication quotes the Executive order as
follows:
mo removal shall be made from the COM
pcttive classified service except for just cause
and for reasons given in writing; and the per-
Aon sought to be removed shall have notice
aud be furnished copy OF such reasons, and
answering the same in writing, Copy OF such
reasons. notice and answer and Of the order of
removal shall be made part Of the records Of
the proper department or office: and tho rea-
within the competitive classified service shall
Secretary McAncny's letter follows:
"On June 20 Robert j. Lusk was removed
q Of the New York city Post Oiice by transfer
Ss e snps W"s from s SS o t%
Mr.. Iusk received notice Of this change OF
status in letter signed by YOU and delivered
to him on the date In question. He had re-
ceived no previous notification of an. inten-
tion, TO remove. or reduce him. He was
not furnished with n statement of the reason
for the action. nor was he Afforded an oppor-
tunity to make any written answer or oy-
PLANTATION. l would respectfully ask that. in
consideration Of the plain intent of the Fxccu
lutte removals. but for constructive removals
effected nv change In rank or compensation
within the classified service should be fled
&C. that Mr. Lusk he reinstated to his former
position and salary.
The case seems to the Civil Service lcform
League to be OF unusual Importance for the rea-
sons that II involves tho construction Of tho
amended rulo and will establish n precedent"
Whether or not Lusk' : transfer TO n lower
rank and salary will stand depends upon tho
law officers as to the last CLAUSE. in the quoted
paragraph. The Postmaster hns referred the
letter OF the league and the papers in Lusk's
case to Washington.
I.usk was first employed in the Post ONCE as n
clerk. at S4So a year. in January. 1888: In Nav.
y He was transferred to Branch G later. In
May of last year he secured u long leave with
out pay and served during the war in Company
A Of the Twcnty-sccond New York Regiment.
He returned to his old place In the Post Offico
the day after he was discharged from the army.
reduced. but Lusk thought that as he had
served in he war with Spain, aud. so far as he
knew. no charges against him had been filed
with the department. his reinstatement might