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)

Edward S. Hall, superintendent 1910-1913 (left) & Ethan Allen, superintendent, 1913-1914, Mount Rainier National Park. NPSHPC - Brockman photo - MORA/MR:E-T33.1

The beginning of each new season seemed to bring out more than the spring flowers. On April 23, 1910, Superintendent Edward S. Hall of Mount Rainier picked up the baton from George Allen and made another run at the department for uniforms. He recommended that park rangers be required to wear distinctive uniforms while on duty in the park. He considered this very important for those rangers that came in contact with the public, "especially those that are stationed on the government road and have charge of the automobile and other traffic." During the previous season there had been instances where rangers had "endeavored to stop automobiles on the road and no attention was paid to their signals." Hall reasoned that this was a result of "the rangers appearing in the dress of a laboror [sic] or at any rate not wearing anything asside [sic] from a Park badge to distinguish them from any other man who might happen to be on the road." He said that conditions along the government road in his park were "somewhat different from those in other National Parks and may require different treatment." He had secured samples and prices from the firm that furnished uniforms to the Forest Service. A suitable uniform could be purchased for $15, which he did not consider a hardship for rangers. [22]

Acting Secretary Frank Pierce replied that "in view of the situation in the Mt. Rainier National Park, especially on the government road, it would seem desirable to have the rangers on duty at the entrance of the park uniformed." Before making a decision in the matter, he wanted to know how many rangers would be uniformed and he wanted a material sample. [23]

Richard Achilles Ballinger, Secretary of Interior, 1909-1911. LC/USZ62-97993

Hall thought it would be advisable to have the rangers stationed at the entrance and Longmire Springs and the one that had charge of timber sales be uniformed. He enclosed a material sample, stating that he believed that "either this or khaki" would be suitable because the uniform would only be worn during the summer. "A coat made with military colar [sic] out of this material costs $7.55 and trousers $4.45," he wrote. "Regulation U.S. Army buttons to be used on coat." [24] This was probably based on the Model 1910 Army uniform, with the standing-fall collar.

In its answer, the department did an about-face. Secretary Richard A. Ballinger now thought "the question of adopting a uniform had best be deferred until the Department is able to determine the exact number of permanent rangers that can be provided for patrol duty in the park." He added that because of the rangers' low pay, "it is not believed that they should be required, at their own expense, to provide uniforms." [25]

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