18 SEPTEMBER 1920, Page 2

The significance of the figures published by the Mines Depart-

ment was hotly disputed by the Miners' Federation, which natur- ally prefers its own guesses at truth to the truth itself. But the revelation of the fact that the coal " surplus " would be far smaller than the Federation alleged had an immediate effect on Mr. Smillie's colleagues. The Federation executive on Wednes- day asked Sir Robert Horne to receive them on Thursday, and summoned a delegates' conference for Tuesday next. It was generally assumed in Thursday's papers that Mr. Smillie had been compelled by the moderate men to modify his demands.