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)

Mark Roy Daniels, 1915, general superintendent of parks, 1914-1915. Daniels designed a new uniform in 1915 that was used concurrently with the 1912 "Eisner" uniform. Portland Journal, 15 April, 1915

In 1914 Mark Roy Daniels, general superintendent of national parks from 1913 to 1915 (a position roughly equivalent to the later director), in collaboration with Colonel Brett at Yellowstone, designed and had made up a proposed new uniform. Photographs were taken of him wearing the uniform and forwarded to the secretary for approval. The secretary approved the new uniform and an inquiry was sent to Eisner, enclosing the photographs and material sample, requesting prices. The new material was a blend of thirty percent cotton and seventy percent wool, then under consideration by the War Department for Army uniforms. [56]

These photographs have not been found. There is no way of telling what this uniform looked like, but apparently it was close enough to the one being used for the department to authorize its use concurrently with the existing one from Eisner. It probably had four pockets on the coat, since that was the norm.

Unidentified ranger at Yellowstone National Park, c. 1916, wearing what may be the uniform designed by Mark Daniels in 1914. NPSHPC - YELL/13

There is an unidentified photograph in the Yellowstone collection that may possibly be of this uniform. It shows a man wearing a uniform similar to the 1917 style, but without pleats on the top pocket or N.P.S. stitched on the collar. Since these are prominent features of all coats made between that date and 1920, it is reasonable to assume it to be earlier. It is also not one of the late "Eisner's". Of course the man could be a temporary and wearing something that he had made up. But it's doubtful that he would have gone to that expense and not have a regulation uniform made.

While the new uniform was being considered, the department issued a regulation on January 9, 1915, entitling employees to wear a service stripe on their sleeve for each five years of service. [57]

Uniforms of the old style were still being purchased for the upcoming season. With but few exceptions, all of these new orders had top outside pockets, further complicating their identification. [58]

On April 21, 1915, Eisner replied that it was not practical to secure the thirty percent cotton olive drab cloth that had been proposed for the new uniforms. Instead he suggested and enclosed a sample of another material. Using this material, a coat and breeches or trousers would cost $24.00, in either the current or new style. Also, "in case buckskin reinforcements in uniform photographs" were ordered, there would be an extra charge of $2.00.

Cover from a booklet of drawings illustrating the "Daniels" uniform. These drawings were provided by Sigmund Eisner in 1916 at the request of the Director's office. National Archives/RG 79

A complete new uniform of coat, breeches or trousers, hat (probably Alpine style), shirt, and leather puttees would now cost $33.75. Eisner further stated that "sketches and booklets" were being made and twelve copies would be sent to the department when completed. There is no documentation as to when these sketches were sent, but a letter from Eisner on February 8, 1916, complaining about the lack of uniform orders "as per the enclosed circular, which we got out for you" is accompanied by what appears to be the label from a booklet. [59] It is 3" by 6-1/2" and printed on a medium blue paper. A note accompanies it stating: "Mr. Albright took booklet with picture of uniforms. When returned it should be posted here." No copy of this booklet has been found.

In the meantime, probably wearying of the long delay in settling the manufacture of the new uniform, Daniels contacted a supplier (probably the B. Pasquale Company) in the San Francisco area, since he was stationed there, to make them for the rangers. He requested buttons for six uniforms, two dozen each of large and small. In May 1915 Daniels proposed that the buttons be changed from the "dark" button, then used, to one of a bright finish. He enclosed a button with the finish he had in mind. It is unknown whether this "bright metal" button was plated or just polished brass. This posed a problem for the manufacturer, also, since he had to request that a sample button be sent. [60] There is no hard evidence that these buttons were ever adopted, although there is a polished brass button, of unknown provenance, in the National Park Service collection.

The Daniels uniform (for want of a better term), while authorized, was not adopted as the "official" park ranger uniform. It would seem that it was being manufactured on the West coast and the Eisner uniform was still being made in the East, with the rangers having the option to purchase either one. An interesting note on this is a letter of November 17, 1915, from Richard R. Young, assistant to Daniels, requesting buttons be sent to him to be "utilized in the making of uniforms for the Park Rangers in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks." Four months later Supervisor Fry at Sequoia was requesting uniforms from Eisner. [61] The "1912" style, originally designed by Eisner, was ordered up until at least the summer of 1917, with pocket variations. All the orders to Eisner refer to coats, "as per sketch #2," with or without top pockets. This was the designation used for the "1912" Eisner coat. (This could have applied to a sketch in the Daniels uniform booklet, but nothing in the correspondence suggests this.)

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