Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

In Search of an Identity

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms In Search of an Identity 1872-1920	Number 2
In Search of an Identity (continued)

Horace Marden Albright, superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, 1919-1929. For all his passion for Servicewide uniformity, Albright is shown wearing an A-typical uniform coat in this 1919 image. All four pockets are pleated and the coat utilizes plain civilian buttons. Courtesy of Montana Historical Society - J.E. Haynes Photo - H19006

Up to this time the only deviation officially allowed the rangers was to have the coat cut either military or standard, although trousers instead of breeches were permitted in some cases. When Superintendent Walter W. Payne of Glacier requested "ordinary sack coat and trousers" in April 1918, Assistant Director Albright replied, "clothing worn by rangers while on patrol duty, or where they will come in contact with tourists, [should] be the same in all parks and to that end a uniform of distinctive type has been designed (blueprint of which is herewith enclosed) for use by all rangers." When ordering new clothing, Albright wrote, rangers should be required "to have the coat made of the approved design with the ordinary long trousers or riding breeches." Although there was no objection to them using a more expensive material, he feared that "should they be called upon in an emergency to fight fire or do other work they will be reluctant to use their best efforts, where if they wore a durable cloth which cost less money their minds would be on their work and better results would be obtained." [73]

As many photographs from the parks testify, rangers were required to wear the uniform only when they would come in contact with the public. Apparently to save wear and tear on the expensive uniform, at other times they wore only their badges to denote who they were.

The military cut was not shown as an alternative on the uniform blueprint Albright sent Glacier in April 1918. The clerk in charge at Glacier wrote the director that "Rangers Beebe, Cooper and Thiri have already received clothes, the suits being of a military cut coat and riding breeches." He asked if it was "compulsory for them to order another uniform of the National Park design at this time." Director Mather replied that as long as the military cut did not overly resemble the Army uniform, it could be worn. If it did, alterations would have to be made. [74]

There were complaints during this period regarding the tardiness of uniform deliveries from Sigmund Eisner, which was one of the prime contractors for U.S. Army uniforms. "Undoubtedly you understand that we are pressed continually by Government demands, and our shops and facilities are crowded to the limit because of present War conditions," Eisner responded to an inquiry. [75] This no doubt resulted in many ranger uniforms being ordered from other suppliers, but no record of these purchases can be found in the official files because only the Eisner orders were placed through the director's office.

Word must have gotten out concerning the problem of delivery, because 1918 brought inquiries from numerous companies requesting "National Park Service specifications" and "fashion plates." Schoenbrun & Company stated that it had received orders from the rangers at the "National Glazier [sic] Park." Mather's reply included a blueprint of the authorized uniform. He stated that it was to be "made of the olive drab material similar to that used for the Army" and that the "letters N.P.S. are to be worked on the collar with thread the same color as the buttons (bronze)." He further stated that if the company cared to submit cloth samples and prices, it would be given "careful consideration" in the event of future orders from other parks. [76]

Continue

Last Modified: Wed, Dec 20 2000 11:30:00 pm PDT
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/workman2/vol2c17.htm