The Gold Reserve

Washington, Jan. 15.- Some deeisive action to replenish the gold reserve in the treasnry will be taken up within the next few weeks. If congress does not take kindly to the suggestions offered by Secretary Carlisie in bis annual report, and provide at once some method of relief, the only course left the officials of the treasury department will be for the secretary to use the authority given him by the law of 1H75 and issue bonds for the purpose of maintaining the gold reserve. The policy which eonfronts the administration is one they have decided to handle with promptness. All the available inoney now in the treasury department consista of the socalled "gold reserve," which has now been mvaded $36,000,000 and by the first of the month the treasnry department believes that the total amount will have baan reduced to $68,000,000. Such a situfttion, it is thought, would again start a rnoyement of gold towards Europe which would still reduce the amount of gold held by the United States. Secretary Carlisie has twice appeared before the conimittee on finance and his presentation of the case to the members of that committee bas been clear and explicit in his statement of the situation. When he next appears before the committee it is probable 'that he will emphasize his argumant by the presentation of a carefuíly prepared statement of the condition in which he finds the national finalices, as well as the methods proposed by him to afford relief. Mr. Carlisie prefers that congress should deal with this matter, but if the national legislature fails within three or four weeks to show any indications that it intends to aid the secretary of the treasury it is known that he will be forced to avail himself of the authority gjranted him by the act of 1876 and issue bonds necessary to replenish the gold reserve. It ia because Mr. Carlisie desires that congress should first act that he has thus far made no preparation for an issuance of bonds and all statements to the effect that orders have been given the bureau of eneraving and printing for plates, etc, are pure fabrication. Absolutely no action has been taken and no definite plans decided on. This much can be officially stated that the attitude of the New York bankers as expressed in recent publications in regard to the furnishingof gold for export, should snch a necessity arise, has possibly had some effect in strengthenina: a weling that' the government should issue bonds to protect the gold reserve. It is denied, however, that any agreement ever existed by which the banks were to furnish gold.