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Mr. Macaulay tried futilely to hold up passage of the bill until the promised committee of inquiry had deliberated. To put the bill through, before the investigation had decided what was what, was comparable to locking the stable after the horse was out. But Mr. Hepburn voiced a blunt and emphatic "No! No! You can have your committee, We'll select it tomorrow, if you want it, but we insist on passage of the bill." Mr. McQuesten, said Mr. Henry, was in "an awkward position," due to the fact that he had been most enthusiastic for cancellation of the original power contracts and yet was now behind the Cabinet in its virtual restoration of them. When the vote on second reading is taken, Mr. Roebuck--and he announced his position--will oppose the Govern-- ment. Beauharnols, Mr. Roebuck said, had got all the better of its bargain with Hydro. Debate on second reading of the Government bill to ratify the new Quebec agreements provided all of yester-- day's explosive scenes. It was adjourned by former Premier Henry (with Mr. Hepburn's approval) until such time as Hon. T. B. McQuesten can be present to participate. Roebuck to Switch Vote. Brings Premier to Feet. IN Opposition Leader Extracts Promise of Inquiry From Premier After Demanding Exposure of 'Behind--the--Scenes' Manceuvring Over Quebec Contracts--Draws Admission From Roebuck House Committee -- To Scan Reasons For Policy Change 1 PROSPECT LAST SPRING, SAYS LATTER In leading up to his final curtain demand for a probe, Mr. Macaulay rose to new heights in Hydro argu-- ment, cross--chamber exchange and general party leadership. Repeated-- ty he condemned Mr. Hepburn for his "fooling the electors" conduct of the election --and in terms, too, which brought the Premier to his feet, white--faced with anger, and bitterly protesting against "dirty, mean insinuations." He implied that Acting Chairman W. L. Houck of Hydro was little more than "a rubber _ stamp," subservient to Cabinet's bidding. He claimed that, while Attorney-- General Conant "honestly believed" that he and Hydro Chairman Hogg had "ganged up" on Mr. Hepburn and had persuaded him to settle with Beauharnois, the truth of the situation--if it ever were told--was that Mr. Hepburn's about--face was mere "window--dressing" and "sound March 24-- Using The Globe and Mail edi-- torials condemning the Premier for his election campaign "decepntion," Mr. Macaulay observed that no one during that election was in a bet-- ter position to know what was go-- ing on than Mr. McCullagh. effects," and that B0 -- CV THOdE been set long previously. And to George McCullagh, President and publisher of The Globe and Mail, he hurled the blunt challenge to now "unmask some of the politicians in the Liberal party." Uses Newspaper's Editorials. '"There," said he, "is the soldier in arms who time and time again rescued my honorable friend (Mr. Hepburn) from difficult positions." "And he may have unmasked them, and, to the disadvantage of the Conservative Party, too," he admit= ted, "but right here and now I chal-- lenge him to get busy and unmask some of the politicians in the Liberal Party." Scents Pre--election Dealings. There had been a lot of talk from the Premier during the election about '"fight on--fight on for the common good," and "go forward with George and the Dragon," and on the very eve of the election, said Mr. Macaulay, The Globe and Mail's young publisher, had taken to the air with a very effective story of "Unmasking the Politicians." To say that he did constituted "mean and unwarranted suspicions," emanating from "a suspicious mind," he said. Charges Joker Found. "I'm quite capable of getting out of my troubles without any help," said Mr. Hepburn. '"You have needed him often in the past," gibed Mr. Macaulay, "and you may need him again '" While no proof was available, said Mr. Macaulay, all the circumstances before and after the signing of the new contracts pointed to pre--elec-- tion negotiations--in spite of what the Prime Minister and his Hydro henchmen might say. There was no doubt in his mind, he further charg-- ed, that the Premier's unwillingness to take the people into his confi-- dence regarding the power policy reversal during the campaign was due to protests from Mr. McQuesten (then a Hydro Commissioner) and his alleged threats to resign from the Government if his protests were ignored. Time and time again, Mr. Hepburn rose in his seat--as the Macaulay castigation rolled up and down the Government benches with devastat-- ing effect--and demanded that the Opposition Leader make specific charges or leave the question alone. Even after repeated denials of the various allegations of pre--election Beauharnois negotiations, Mr. Hep-- burn felt it incumbent upon himself to make the following declaration: "I never at any time or in any way carried on any negotiations with any power companies directly or indirectly until after the election, and then only through the proper channels." In a brief reference to the new contracts, themselves, Mr. Macaulay alleged that they contained "the worst joker" to be found in any public contract since 1905. On the face of them, these agreements were for power at $12.50 per horsepower over terms running from twelve to forty years. But there was a drastic qualification as well, he said, and that qualification, if ever operative, could commit Ontario to possible payment of $25 per horsepower. He read the clause, as follows: a higher rate is paid by the Com-- mission, directly or indirectly to any other corporation or person for electrical power (from water) gen«-- erated in the Province of Quebec, "Provided, however, that if at any time or times hereafter subsequent to the 30th day of September, 1945, during the term of this agreement the_ stage had