Only WGBH-TV Will Televise Saturday's Lodge-Hughes Debate

WGBH-TV (channel 2) will provide coverage of the debate between spiral candidates George Cabot Lodge '50 and H. Stuart Hughes at 8 p.m. Saturday from John Hancock Hall. Boston's three commercial stations channels 4, 5, and 7) have refused to televise the program.

Lodge's campaign headquarters announced officially last night that WGBH and WHRB radio will also cover the debate. WGBH-TV, Boston's educational station, can be received at a maximum distance from the Hub of about 65 miles.

Father Seavey Joyce, dean of the Boston College School of Business Administration will moderate.

It is now virtually certain that the Democratic nominee, Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy '54, will not show up at the debate. But since he received an invitation to come, a chair with his name on it will be left on the stage.

It is expected that Hughes and Lodge may make frequent references to the missing candidate. Kennedy has "absolutely refused" to debate on the same platform with Hughes, and has informed Lodge that he "has a previous engagement" for Saturday evening.

Lodge headquarteds has been working through the week to arrange television coverage for Saturday's debate. The commercial stations have consistently refused to provide free coverage unless Kennedy agreed to participate, and several station executives have stated privately that the public is very tired of political debates.

In Saturday's encounter Lodge and Hughes will discuss "The Cold War Can Be Won." No participant will be allowed to speak for more than two minutes at a time, and the moderator will keep time and occasionally throw out questions.