Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

Ironing Out the Wrinkles

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

National Park Service Uniforms Ironing Out the Wrinkles 1920-1932	Number 3
Ironing Out the Wrinkles (continued)

Hot Springs National Park seemed destined to remain in the forefront of the uniform controversy. On July 19 Senator Thaddeus H. Caraway of Arkansas wrote Director Mather:

"I am in receipt of a letter from a citizen of Hot Springs, Arkansas, protesting against the heavy winter uniform the park police are required to wear. My correspondent is in no way connected with the service, but writes me in the interest of "suffering humanity." Will you please see if something cannot be done to relieve these conditions?"

1922 Superintendent's Conference, Yosemite National Park. NPSHPC - Jimmy Lloyd photo - HFC/87-37
1. Gabriel Sovulewski, Supr. YOSE 2. John W. Emmert, Ch Electrician YOSE 3. Horace M. Albright, Supt. YELL 4. Washington B. Lewis, Supt. YOSE 5. Jesse Nusbaum, Supt. MEVE 6. Tom Boles, Supt. HAVO 7. ? 8. Forest Townsley, Ch Rgr, YOSE 9. ? 10. Daniel R. Hull, Ch Architect, NPS 11. ? 12. ? 13. ?	14. ? 15. William "Billy" Nelson, YOSE 16. ? 17. ? 18. Charlie Adair 19. ? 20. Ansel Hall, Ch Naturalist, NPS 21. ? 22. Frank "Boss" Pinkley, Cust, CAGR 23. Roger W. Toll, Supt. ROMO 24. John White, Supt. SEQU 25. Milo S. Decker, YOSE

Uniforms ordered in February were of the regulation heavy forestry cloth used for winter uniforms in other parks and had been worn at Hot Springs since April 1. The policemen had wanted summer-weight uniforms but had been informed that the lighter-weight cloth was for officers only. Superintendent Parks requested authorization to "allow the men to purchase shirts of the same color as the uniforms, and wear them, with the green ties, without coats." Acting Director Cammerer replied with his opinion that "the uniform to be worn at Hot Springs National Park will have to be reconsidered in order to adopt a material which will be suitable for that climate." He asked Parks to give this matter his attention and make recommendations accordingly. Meanwhile the policemen were to purchase forestry green shirts, as Parks had suggested.

Ranger personnel at Canyon, 1922, Canyon Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park. Three of the rangers are wearing the white dress shirt, while the other two have on the gray. NPSHPC - YELL/130,000

Ranger Roy Frazier, c. 1920's, Frazier, a ranger at Yellowstone National Park is showing off his "biled" white shirt. NPSHPC - YELL/130,077

Parks forwarded his recommendations on January 31, 1922. He had delayed responding because the men had spent a considerable amount of money for their uniforms, which worked well for the winter. He was now "convinced that the regulation city police uniform, of blue serge with the coat-of-arms buttons, is best suited to this park, it being located in the heart of a city." Since the men had worn the present uniforms they had "constantly been confused with soldiers from the Army and Navy General Hospital, and in some instances persons have refused to permit our officers to render them assistance, thinking they were soldiers." Parks enclosed a booklet showing the regulation double breasted police coat with blue serge pants that he was suggesting.

Director Mather was not receptive to Parks' recommendation. He believed that all Park Service personnel should be uniformed in the same color. The forestry serge as worn by officers could be obtained in lighter weights for warm-weather wear, and trousers in place of breeches and puttees would also afford the policemen greater comfort. He further stated that "simple white shirts and collars can be worn, as provided in the general regulations, and, in fact, I think the general regulations can well stand with these modifications." [11]

On March 2 the new superintendent at Hot Springs, Dr. Clarence H. Waring, formulated Mather's suggestions into a recommendation for uniforming the policemen at the park. In addition, he requested authority for the use of gray wool shirts, without blouse, during the hot summer months. The shirt would be worn with the green tie and appropriate "insignia, grade marks, etc." on its collar and sleeves. (There are no known photographs showing a ranger wearing a shirt with a patch on the sleeve.) That summer another warm-weather area, Hawaii National Park, received authorization from Washington to use dark green gabardine instead of forestry green wool in its uniforms. [12]

Ranger (Emmit) Matthew on motorcycle near tower, 1923. Motorcycles had come into use in Yellowstone National Park in the late teens. Due to the nature of the work, motorcycle riders did not use the standard uniform in the performance of their duties, and with specialized clothing a thing of the future, any warm civilian coat was utilized, especially since they would not be in contact with the public. NPSHPC - YELL/130,387

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