Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

The Developing Years

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms The Developing Years 1932-1970	Number 5
The Developing Years (continued)

For some time a movement had been afoot toward the "pepping up" and standardization of the National Park Service uniform. At the conference, in addition to the experimental breeches, several other suggestions were put forward regarding the rest of the uniform.

The present coat was considered to be rather drab and it was thought that it could be "sharpened" up by adding shoulder straps. In addition, it could also be made to stand out by adding red piping to these shoulder straps and the pocket flaps as well.

It was suggested that the hat brim be made wider to provide better protection from the sun. And since there seemed to be no answer to the multi-shades of green ties, it was thought the color might be changed to black. Special tan shirts were put forth, with or without shoulder straps, to be worn when not wearing a coat.

As in the past, when a uniform change was contemplated, these suggestions were offered to the field for comment. The response to the shoulder straps was lukewarm, but the red piping received a decided thumbs down. Comments like "bell boy's" and Marines lace the replies. The wider hat brim was fine, but the majority preferred the dark green tie, providing a uniform color could be obtained. Most thought that the shirt should be able to be worn with or without the coat and that tan was not a good color. It showed dirt quicker and most other organizations as well as the military wore it. They thought that the gray shirt, then in use, was more distinctively National Park Service. [4]

Without a central quality control, deviations in the style and design of the uniforms had begun to creep in. Many officers and employees were ordering uniforms from the manufacturers made differently than prescribed by the regulations. These changes included such things as: different shaped lapels; unauthorized buttons on sleeves; fewer than the prescribed number of buttons; cuffs on coat sleeves; omission of vent in back of coat; change in design of pockets; and variations in the cut of the breeches. Jodhpurs [5] were very popular during this period and many rangers thought they provided a neater appearance.

In addition, regulation hatbands were being installed on hats without removing the cloth grosgrain band that came with the hat. Feathers and "other trinkets and ornaments" were being added to the hat band, as well, making for a very cluttered head covering. Riding and full-lace boots, as well as old style puttees (spiral wound strap) were being worn instead of the regulation "field boot" (which laced at instep and outside of calf) or the new leather leggings with the spring attachment fastener.

Arno B. Cammerer, Director, National Park Service (1933-1940) NPSHPC-HFC#268X

On January 14, 1935, Director Arno B. Cammerer felt compelled to send out a memorandum to all of the field offices admonishing them to pay more attention to what was being worn in the parks. He felt that "Special attention should be given to the wearing of uniforms and it should be remembered that the purpose of a uniform is to make the ranger conspicuous." Things that were to be watched were:

"Pockets that were more ornamental than serviceable; coat should be kept buttoned, when worn; collar ornaments should be placed on collar, not on lapel; boot and shoes laces tucked in; and hats were to be worn "square" upon the head or slightly "rakish"".

He ended by telling them to "Wear a uniform as if you are proud of it." [6]

On August 9, 1935, evidently, to assist the men in the field in conforming to the Office Order No. 268 uniform regulations, Acting Director Tolson forwarded a list of manufacturers and dealers in uniform equipment (Appendix A) along with blue prints showing the correct National Park Service uniform to all the field offices to be distributed to the men in the parks. [7]

Apparently, the move to switch from the dark green to black necktie, and the fields overwhelming rejection, caused the Uniform Committee to try again to solve the problem. Obtaining ties of a uniform shade of green had plagued the Service since they were prescribed in the 1920 regulations. It was finally decided that a dark green Barathea silk, four-in-hand necktie would fit the bill. These, hand-made with a "pure wool" lining, could be purchased from Schoenfeld Brothers, Incorporated, makers of "Fashion Craft" neckwear of Seattle, Washington, for $7.25 per dozen, plus postage. Fechheimer could also furnish these, but no price was given. In both cases orders had to be at least a dozen or more. [8]

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