Into Orbit & Out of Order

In putting up Early Bird, Comsat performed one of the greatest feats in communications history. Last week it performed another feat that sent sighs of envy welling through corporate officers everywhere. One of the most persistent corporate hecklers was bodily expelled from Comsat's annual meeting by husky Pinkerton guards.

Conspicuous among the 1,400 shareholders at the company's second annual meeting in Washington's Shoreham Hotel were two familiar chairman baiters: Mrs. Wilma Soss and Lewis D. Gilbert. As soon as Chairman Leo D. Welch called for order, Mrs. Soss was on her feet demanding to know if a proper notice of the meeting had been mailed. Welch ruled the question out of order, and a shouting match began. Finally, Welch did what many a corporate chairman has long felt like doing: he ordered Gilbert and Mrs. Soss to leave the meeting. Gilbert left with a push, but a Pinkerton guard had to carry Wilma out. Having a grand time in the limelight, where all could see her two-piece "Early Bird outfit" of an off-white tunic and matching knee breeches, she kicked her high boots in the air, waved her straw "space hat" at the crowd. Screaming "A. T. & T. ism," she threatened: "I'm going to sue the corporation." As she disappeared, the crowd cheered.

After half an hour, Gilbert and Mrs. Soss were readmitted, not the least contrite. Characteristically, Mrs. Soss demanded to know how much it had cost the company to have her thrown out. The company, Welch explained, was paying $2.25 an hour for each of the ten Pinkertons. Added Welch blandly: "It's a good arrangement."

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