Date:    12/08/1999  1:16 PM


Subject: File# S7-24-99

Mr J G Katz:
     
Concerning the proposed changes in the shorting and uptick rules I would have to
say I will be very glad to see these happen asw proposed.  I am not new to 
investing but since I've been following some of my stocks on Raging Bull's 
message board I have been greatly agravated and frustrated by the manipulation 
of growing, good, companies to the point of destruction by greedy market 
shorters. Under the present situation I don't see how a new company listed on 
the otcbb can stand a chance.   I believe the purpose of we investors giving our
hard earned money to these new companies that we've researched, is to 
partnership with them in our common hope of seeing financial success for all 
investors and the company alike.  These shorters descend on company and tear at 
them to the point of exhaustion. What new company has the guts to not only swim 
upstream against the currents that all great companies must, but also be picked 
to death at every resting place along the way?  I could go on for hours likening
these self centered; self gratifying; self absorbed; self seeking; greedy, 
vulchers to all the worst forms of diseased life on the planet but that helps 
only to show my feelings towards people that abuse freedoms or "cracks" in the 
law to ROB others of their earnings and labors.  I'm 55 years old and am trying 
to prepare for the future.  Unlike the shorters, I don't have all day to scan 
the marketplace for the latest events or as far as many shorters go, for 
weaknesses, or patterns of buying/selling  that they can exploit to the loss of 
companies and their stockholders.  They have been frustrating not only new 
investors, who go "screaming" from the market while they still have their shoes,
but also the would be innovators of our future.  The internet has blown the 
doors off the stock market.  It is now so easy to move around that the wolves 
are selling condos to the chickens who they will later sell to KFC.
I have experienced what I believe have been viscious "bear raids" on a 
particular stock that I not only have my future tied into but my brother 
followed me into.
I believe that the same rules at least, MUST apply to the OTCBB as do the major 
NYSE, NASDAQ AND AMEX boards as soon as possible.
     
     
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
     
     
Robert K Fries