Date:    12/16/1999  4:36 PM

Subject: Comments on open disclosure

  SEC,
     
  I hope you do pass new rules to prevent companies from selective disclosure.
     
  I think it's a disgrace the way it is now, where a small number of people are 
  given special treatment over the masses in a market that is supposed to be 
  fair to everyone.
     
  In addition, anything you can do to open up IPO's to the general public would 
  also be a step in the direction of fairness.  As it is now, even through 
  online brokerage firms, the individual investor doesn't have a chance to 
  invest in IPO's.  I've tried 6 times now through Etrade and have been shut out
     
  each time, even though I checked their website continuously for days in order 
  to catch their reconfirmation notices.
     
  Any new rules which promote fairness to the individual investor will be a step
     
  in the right direction, and the faster the better.
     
  Sincerely,
     
  Donald J. Lacopo
  Data Warehouse Analsyt for Peabody Coal Company in St. Louis, MO