Lodge Will Meet Hughes in Debate; Kennedy Refuses

A debate between the Massachusetts Senatorial candidates scheduled for Saturday night at John Hancock Hall will televised whether or not Democratic nominee Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy '64 shows up, George Cabot Lodge's headquarters revealed last night.

Lodge spokesman told the CRIMSON that "no decision has yet been reached as to which channel or channels will cover the debates, but they will be televised."

The challenge to debate the topic "The Cold War Can Be Won" was issued last day by Lodge. The Republican Senatorial nominee rented John Hancock Hall for the occasion and invited both Kennedy and Independent H. Stuart Hughes, Professor of History, to participate.

Hughes accepted the challenge within hour, but Kennedy balked. State Rep. Gerard F. Doherty '50, a top Kennedy aide, later branded the Hughes candidacy "frivolous" and declared that Kennedy "absolutely refused" to debate on the same platform with Hughes.

Lodge headquarters said last night that the invitation to Kennedy still stands, and "we of course assume that will be there." A chair with Kennedy's name on it will be on the stage along with seats for Lodge and Hughes. The question of free time is still "up in the air," the Lodge spokesman said, even if the television industry will carry the debates as a public service, they will be televised.

The station most likely to carry the hour long program is WBZ-TV (channel 4). But Lodge's representative denied any specific arrangements have yet to be made with WBZ-TV.

Saturday's debate is reportedly the first a series of six scheduled between Senatorial candidates. The ground rules call for an impartial moderator, no press panel, and each speech limited to maximum of two minutes.