Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-18
PROTEST ENTERED
AGAINST DEM0T|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 q 81 200 to q
500 position. and has made 30 vigorous
protest against this treatment that hel
letter to Assistant Secretary Hamlin OF
the Treasury Department has found it,
way into the Congressional Record. The
leave to print privilege was obtained by
Representative Bryan Of Washington
who has been carrying on an open war.
fare against Auditor Kram Of the Post
Once Department
The communications which Represent
alive Bryan caused to be printed nj the
Record are the first signed protests
against the demotion and dischargins
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
slgners names have been withheld for
OBVIOUS reasons. Miss Buckingham. how
ever, has boldly signed her letter Of pro-
test again demotion. which she believes il
unjust, and the communications follow:
Letter Of Protest.
July IL, 1914.
Mr. Charles 8. Hamlin,
T. assistant Secretary Of the Treasury.
MY Dear Mr.. Hamlin: Until yesterday,
the 10th. was an employe Of the gov
eminent In the Treasury Department un-
der the auditor for the Post ONCE De-
partment. I entered the service in the
bureau Of engraving and printing in 1888.
since that time my record for efficiency
ana accuracy may be found on file in the
government archives. For fourteen
vars have been under the auditor for
the Post ONCE Department, and my rec
ord In that department may be found in
your ONCE and is subject to your inspec-
ton.
have never had any trouble of any
kind with any superior concerning my
work for the government. have never
had trouble with any associates in the
department. I have never been on the
carpet or been subjected to reproof, so
far as I know or can recall to mind.
My record for efficiency. SO far as
know. has been perfect. I have always
believed I was fully discharging my
duties at any post to which I have been
assigned.
I 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 I was
likely to be reassigned, and that a
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
\ L. 4
signed. and I did not intend by such
signature to waive any of my rights
In the premises, but signed because
thought had no right to refuse to do
so. was then handed a document,
which reads as follows:
AAnnum, Once Of the Auditor for the Post
Madam: BY direction of the Secretary. you are
81 eerk s1s:' In the Ses Of The eS5n.soneI
Of SS Of sse to
Oath: July Is. 1914
And the following letter Of Introduction:
July 10. 1914.
ury Department.
Sir: This Will introduce to you Miss Eliza B.
Buckingham who Is transferred to your once,
effective today. She has taken the required oath
Auditor for the Post once Department.
by this I was notified that I had
been denoted from a clerkship at a
salary of $1,000 per annum to clerk
ship class D at 5000 per annum. Against
this action I most vigorously protest.
After this long and faithful service.
while am still absolutely efficient,
without any charge or claim of inef-
iciency. yet 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 me except as herein stated, and I
respectfully demand that 1 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
q reduction Of my salary, and that due
notice be given me of any such pro-
ceedings.
Respectfully.
ELIZABETH B. BUCKINGHAM