Sent:   Wednesday, April 12, 2000 10:22 AM 

Subject:        Oppose Merrill Lynch Rule
     
Re:     Release Nos. 34-42099 and IA-1845; File No. 
S7-25-99; Certain Broker Dealers Deemed Not To Be 
Investment Advisers
     
To: Mr. Jonathan G. Katz, SEC:
     
This is important. I request that you strongly oppose the proposed "Merrill 
Lynch Rule." This Rule would establish a two-tiered, double disclosure 
standard for financial advisors whether we be independent investment 
advisors or  working in the so-called wirehouses.
     
All of us in financial service businesses should be held accountable by the 
SEC to provide the same sorts of information to consumers when the nature 
of advice and assistance being sought is precisely the same.
     
.Respectfully submitted,
     
Laurie McClain
Investment Adviser