Subject: regarding file 34-42456

Date:    04/17/2000 4:03 PM
     
     
Dear Sir
     
I have been told by the  US Justice Branch that this issue is before you, 
regarding the orders place on limited orders by small investors and not 
obtaining the best price.
     
I am a small investor.  I use Ameritrade for my option trading.  I have a 
running list of all my orders/ bought and sold they have routed for me. 
Generally I get an exchange that is not the most active and definitely not 
the best fills.
     
Csco call options are a good example.  The most active is the CBOE for just 
about any strike.  Ameritrade will route my order to the American Exchange 
for my buy....usually this one is higher for the buy.  On 4/10/00 they filled 
me on the higher exchange, American, then when I immediate put my order after 
it was confirmed bouight to sell back on the market...they then routed it to 
the CBOE as the sell was lower then the American.
     
They trade aol, another active option on the Philly exchange...the most 
active and better buy price is on the CBOE.  
     
I could go on and on as I have time and sales, dates, etc....often I call 
them to complain.  They tell me it is their policy to route to the most 
active.  THis is just untrue and most of the brokers will agree when I point 
out my buy fill order trading on one of the least active exchanges.
     
Please contact me should you have any questions.  I am so tired or overpaying 
for these options and am pleased you are finally looking into this unjust 
business practice.
     
My name is Judy A. Basham.  I can be reached during the day, EST at 301 
572-3962.