Date:    12/17/1999  11:10 PM
Subject: File No. S7-24-99

Dear Mr. Katz,
     
I am writing to you to ask that you extend the rules that govern the major stock
exchanges also be applied to,  and enforced on the OTC stocks.  The ability for 
certain people to short OTCBB shares that they don't own,  and without the 
uptick requirement that is applied to individual investors,  has cost me serious
losses in my retirement funds.  Since I am already retired I will in all 
likelihood not be able to regain any of the money that I believe I lost for the 
largest part because I had no idea that the securities laws do not apply to OTC 
stocks.  I have learned a bitter lesson,  but I urge you to take the necessary 
steps to protect other people from being harmed by unprincipled manipulators.
     
I would also urge you to consider using the laws that govern racketeering (RICO)
to prosecute individuals who gang together to fleece individual investors.   So 
far it appears that the SEC is imposing only "slaps on the wrist" when scamsters
are caught and convicted.  I feel that it is overdue that the consequences for 
illegal activities deserve punishment so severe,  that lawbreakers will not even
attempt to engage in such activities.  Please adopt a "Zero Tolerance" for SEC 
Rule breakers. 
     
Please give the above requests your sincere consideration.  
     
Sincerely yours,
     
Ernest A Weiler
2539 Browncroft Blvd
Rochester, NY, 14625
(716) 381 6996