Date:    09/25/2000  1:22 PM

Subject: Pending Regulation on CPAs

To whom it may concern:
I am very concerned over the proposed new rules regarding independence of 
auditors auditing SEC clients. Updating the independence rules is probably 
warranted, but the sweeping overhaul as proposed goes far beyond anything that 
is necessary.
     
CPAs take their profession's independence standards and the responsibility to 
represent the public interest seriously. It's an attribute and responsibility 
that defines the profession. Since there's been nothing to demonstrate any 
significant problem in this regard, I struggle to figure out just what is the 
motivation for the SEC to pursue such a dramatic change.
     
There is clearly no need for SEC to intervene between the normal relation of 
auditors and their clients with these excessively restrictive independence 
rules. I urge SEC to reconsider its position and drop these proposals.
     
Sincerely,
     
William F. Blake, CPA