Evening star., 1947-10-13
Robert H. Lucas Dies:
WAS Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue

Robert H. Lucas, former executive
director Of the Republican National
Committee and one-time commits
siorer of internal revenue, died to-
day at Doctors Hospital, where he
had been patient since Septem-
ber 30.
A native of Jefferson County, XIV,
Mr.. Lucas was SO years old last Au-
gust 3. For many years before COM
ing to Washington he was active in
Republican organiza ton politics In
Kentucky. Since 1888 he had prsc-
ticed law here and lived at 14O Hes
keith street. Chevy Chase. Md.
Burial will be in Louisville after
funeral services for which arrange
ments have not been completed.
Mr.. Lucas attracted the attention
OF national Republican leaders both
because OF his record as collector of
internal revenue for Western Ken
lucky from 1921 to 1929 and because
OF his success as State party leader
in the 1924 elections.
Brought Here by Mellon.
After being brought to Washing
ton in 1929 at the request of the
late Andrew w. Mellon. then Secre-
tary of the Treasury. he served for
a year as commissioner of internal
revenue and then was named execu-
tive director of the Republican Ma
tional Committee.
His appointment to the committee
post followed the custer of Claudius
Huston of Tennessee. He not only
was directed by President Hoover
and other leaders to a general re-
organization of the party's campaign
machinery, but he took active
charge of the campaign in Mr..
HooVer's behalf in 1882.
Although active in politics since
he was old enough to vote, Mr.. Lucas
was not always aligned with the
regular Republican organiza ton.
When the Republican split developed
in 1912 he joined the Bull Moose
movement and was secretary and
treasurer of the Progressive Cam
paign Committee for Louisville and
SOuliOyy
He was given large share of the
credit for the areas larger vote for
Theodore Roosevelt than for Presi-
dent Taft. Soon after the party rift
was healed he became chairman of
the Louisville and Jefferson County
Republican Executive Committee.
Appointed by Harding.
In 1917 he was elected prosecutor
for the Louisville Police Court. In
recognition of his party organization
work in the 1920 election he was
appointed by President Harding as
collector of internal revenue for
Western Kentucky with headquarters
in Louisville. He won still greater
political recognition. when he di-
rected the presidential election in
Kentucky in 1924 and the COP made
sweeping gains.
Declining an offer of the Republi-
can nomination for Mayor of Louis
vile In 1924. he was defeated In
primary election for Governor of
Kentucky year later.
WILLIE CUlleCGOl vi lnGtIIldl TtPeIlu6
in Kentucky he gained such a repu-
tation for ability and affability"
that Republican leaders in Wash
ington early in 1929 offered him an
appointment as First Assistant Post
master General. He declined this
position. but a short time later was
named commissioner of internal rev.
enue. 1
Mr.. Lucas was born near Anchor
age, KY. the son OF a Louisville
merchant. He attended Louisville
schools and obtained his law degree
from the University of Louisville in
1909.
In 1910 he married Miss Gertrude
Lasch of Louisville, who survives
him. They had one daughter, DR..
Martha B. Lucas, president of Sweet
Briar College, Sweet Briar, Va.