Date:    11/18/97  1:18 PM

Subject: s7-26-97 / Edward J Hoort

        Mr. Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary
        U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 
        450 Fifth Street, NW
        Washington, DC  20549
        Email: questionnaire@sec.gov
        Reference to:  File No.         
                S7-26-97
     
I have received copies of two bills which would require all regulated 
companies to request approval from stockholders prior to making charitable 
contributions. It is my understanding that the SEC is seeking comments on 
these proposals. 
     
First, allow me to state my interest in these proposals. I administer a 
non-profit agency which seeks corporate contributions. Secondly, I teach a 
graduate course for the University of Michigan regarding non-profit 
administration. Third, I am a serious investor in the stock market.
     
I find the proposal to require stockholder participation in this matter to be 
absurd on all three levels. Let me begin with my expierence admiistering a 
non-profit. In the last three years I have received 3 contributions from 
regulated industries. From one publicly traded bank, I received law books 
that they were no longer using. From a chemical company, I received outdated 
personal computers, which we could use. I also received a used copier from 
another publicly traded company. 
     
I would suggest that to require a company to request approval for such 
donations from stockholders is absurd. It would cost more in mailing then the 
total value of the contributions. The real result would be that each of the 
companies would destroy the equipment rather then donating it to a 
non-profit. 
     
As an instructor of non-profit administration, I would suggest that the bills 
would complicate donations to small non-profits in such a manner as to 
totally eliminate all such donations. The regulatory morass created by the 
bills would out weigh any potential benefit. I am unclear as to who would 
benefit at all from such proposals. 
     
Fianlly, as a stockholder in a number of companies, I would hate to see the 
mailings requesting stockholder approval. The amount of paper generated by 
such a requirement would create a disaster in my mail box. For most companies 
that I hold, the cost of mailing would outweigh the total amount of 
contributions made. And frankly, I don't care if they give funds to local 
public radio, the United Way, or other organizations. I believe in corporate 
giving, and would encourage them to be generous to who ever. Voting on it is 
not in my self interest, and would waste my time and the resources of the 
companies.
     
Please do all that you can to defeat such absurd proposals.
     
Edward J Hoort
ehoort@aol.com