Evening star., 1914-07-18
PROTEST ENTERED
AGAINST DEMOT|ON
Miss Elizabeth B. Buckingham
Complains and Letter Is
Printed in Record.

Miss Elizabeth B. Buckingham for many
years a clerk In the government service
was recently denoted from a 81 200 to a
5000 position. and has made so vigorous
protest against this treatment that her
letter to Assistant Secretary Hamlin Of
the Treasury Department has found its
way into tho Congressional Record. Tho
leave to print" privilege was obtained by
Representative Bryan Of Washington.
who has been carrying on an open war
fare against Auditor Kram Of tho Post
Once Department
The communications which Represent
ative Bryan caused to be printed nj the
Record are the hrst signed protests
against the demotion and discharging
practices which have been worrying de-
partment employees. Hundreds Of letters
have been offered to congressman telling
pitiable tales Of demotion and discharge
Tor what seemed no reason at all. but the
letters have either been anonymous or the
signers names have been withheld for
obvious reasons. Miss Buckingham, how
ever. has boldly signed her letter Of pro-
test again demotion, which she believes is
unjust, and the communications follow:
Letter Of Protest.
July II. 1914.
Mr. Charles s. Hamlin,
Assistant Secretary Of the Trasury.
My Dear Mr.. Hamlin: Until yesterday,
the 10th. was an employe Of the gov
ernment in the Treasury Department un-
der the auditor for the Post once De-
partment. l entered the service in the
bureau Of engraving and printing in 1885,
since that time my record for efficiency
and accuracy may be found on file in tho
government archives. For fourteen
years 1 have been under the auditor for
the Post Office Department, and my rec
ORD In that department may be found in
your office and Is subject to your inspec-
ton.
l have never had any trouble of any
kind with any superior concerning my
work for the government. 1 have never
had trouble with any associates in the
department l have never been on the
far as 1 know or can recall to mind.
My record for efficiency. 30 far as
know, has been perfect I have always
believed I was fully discharging my
have never been to any member Of
Congress or to any one else with COM
plants against the management Of my
to make trouble for the auditor Of the
organization.
While in the regular discharge of my
duties as examiner assigned tempo
learned yesterday morning that was
likely to be reasstgned. and that q
document was likely to be submitted
to me to be signed. went to Mr.. Buck
documents, and he told me II I did not
sign that I would become involved for
INSTRUMENTATION. A little later there
was submitted to me a document to
G n mt Lv@~ - r
signed and I did not intend by such
signature to waive any Of my rights
IN the premises. but signed because I
thought had no right to refuse to do
which reads as follows:
aaaaups once ef tie Auditor Tor ;S The POST 81
hereby her REDUCED, transferred and appointed .
Of internal revenue. With compensstion s at the
rate rate of $500 per annum, the appointment to take
Oath: July Is. @ isis 'S' ASSISTANT 'eer'"''
And the following letter Of Introduction:
The Chief Clerk Internal Revenue Bureau. Treas
.Si,s sSsssl9sh,% WIG ~ . ssS1 oss
Respectfully, CHARLES s. KRAM,
by this I was notified that I had
been denoted from a clerkship at a
salary of $1,000 per annum to a clerk
ship class D at 5000 per annum. Against
this action I most vigorously protest.
After this long and faithful service.
while l am still absolutely efficient
without any charge or claim Of inef-
fciency. yet a young woman, there can
not be any possible excuse or justice
in my being thus denoted and deprived
OF my rating. earned after faithful
service.
mo notice whatever has been served
upon mo except as herein stated, and I
respectfully demand that I be REIN
stated Immediately at my former rating
and salary and that an investigation
be had as to any charges against me
or any ground for my demotion or for
reduction of my salary. and that due
notice be given me OF any such pro-
ceedings.
Respectfully.
ELIZABETH B. BUCKINGHAM"