Date:    01/31/2000  10:01 AM

Subject: File No S7-24-99,  Short Sale Rules

Dear Sir/Madam,
     
I would like to go on record as one who believes that the current rules 
governing short sales give unfair advantage to market makers and to large 
brokerage houses.  If an uptick rule applies to me, it should apply to them 
as well.  I am racking my brain to think of some rational explanation as to 
why there is currently this inequity.  The only thing that I can conceive 
was the orignal purpose behind it was to give market makers and large 
brokerage houses an advantage.  That is not in keeping with the philosophy 
of a "free market"!  
     
Don't try to justify it by telling me that stocks will fall too quickly 
without such a rule.  If they fall quickly, then they were overvalued.  To 
attempt to slow such a correction is placing artificial constraints on the 
market.
     
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
     
Robert R. Mackey, CPA