Evening star., 1932-11-24
R. T. OLDS EXPIRES
SUDDENLY IN PARIS
Former Undersecretary of
State Stricken With Apo
pIexy While Taking Walk.

Robert E. Olds, formerly Undersecre-
tary of State and internationally known
lawyer, died suddenly of apoplexy to-
day in Paris, where he had practiced
his profession since leaving Washington
n 1928. While in the State Department
Mr.. Olds was chief adviser to Secretary
Frank B. Kellogg. He was 81 years old
According to an Associated Press dis
patch from Paris, Mr.. Olds had left his
apartment in Rue L'Universite for his
customary walk to his law Office. He
got only few yards when he was taken
violently ILL., He returned home, but
died few minutes later.
Mr.. Olds was a prominent figure in
Washington from July. 1925, until his
departure from public life, on June 80
1928. He was once described by Mr..
Kellogg, his former law partner, as hav-
ing been of tremendous assistance" to
him as Undersecretary of State. The
statement was made by the former Sec
retary of State shortly before Mr.. Olds'
resignation.
Served at Great Sacrifice.
Mr.. Olds came to the department at
my very earnest solicitation" he said
He came and has stayed at very great
sacrifice. He has direct charge of many
matters which are of very great i'm
portance and is of tremendous assist
ance to me-"
Mr.. Olds served as Undersecretary
from July /, 1927, to June 80, 1928. At
the request of Secretary Kellogg, he en-
tered the department two years before
as an Assistant Secretary, filling o va
cancy created by the appointment of
John Van A. MacMurray as Minister to
China. When Mr.. Kellogg retired from
private practice In 1917 to enter the
United States Senate, Mr. Olds had been
made a member of the Davis, Kellogg
6s Severance firm of st. Paul, MINI.
Becoming increasingly useful in the
State Department, Mr.. Olds was made
Undersecretary when Joseph C.. Grew,
who held that post, was sent to Turkey
as Ambassador.
Mr.. Olds was born in Duluth, Mimi,
October %, 1875, and was one of the
best known lawyers in the State. He
was graduated with high honors from
Harvard College and later from the
Harvard Law School in 1900.
He practiced law in st. Paul and
wears ago became a staunch friend OF
Mr. Kellogg. His appointment TO the
State Department came from desire
of Mr.. Kellogg to bring to his aid a
lawyer to whom he could transfer some
of the burden of inquiring into legal
questions He had found it necessary
up to that time to do much Of this
work himself.
Identified With Red Cross.
During the World War and afterwards
Mr.. Olds was prominently identified
with the American Red Cross. He was
called upon to go to France as coun-
sellor of the Red Cross Commission In
January, 1918. He had been active In
that organization ever since. During
the war period he served actively with
the Red Gross for three years.
During the early postwar days IN
Europe Mr.. Olds became member for
North America of the commission ap-
pointed by the Twelfth international
Conference at Geneva to report plan
for word reorganization OF the Red
Gross. He was American member OF
the arbitration tribunal appointed to
adiudge British American claims under
the treaty of. 1910 and he also served
as president of the board OF trustees
of the American Library in Paris.
After leaving the State Department,
Mr.. Olds' services were again sought
by the Government. About year ago
he was appointed member OF the