William Thomas
                  1440 N Street N.W.   Apt. 410
                        Washington, D.C.
                                        20005

                                        October 3, 1988

William J. Landers
Associate Counsel to the President
White House

Re:  The Associate Counsel's response to my letter to President
Reagan of September 21, 1988. 
 
Dear Mr. Landers:

     As evidenced by the fact that your letter to me arrived in an
envelope addressed to "Mr. Lee Thomas," none of us are perfect.  On
its face Executive rder 12291 appears to admit to the possibility
that regulatory agencies might be less than infallible in
promulgating regulations, and to provide safeguards against that
fallibility.  It was pursuant to 12291 that my letter of September
21st addressed the President.

     Your letter makes it obvious that you have grasped the gist of
my complaint, which would be enough to enable you to at least
initiate an investigation.  However, without any factual support,
you merely express certainity "that the Department of Interior will
be responsive to any legitimate complaint that employees have
attempted to apply the regulations improperly,"  my experience
cannot support your certainity.

     Under the circumstances your suggestion that "any additional
specific information concerning" my complaint should be refered to
the Interior Department sounds as reasonable as setting the fox to
guard the hen house.                    

     I believe 12291 means that any competent investigation of my
complaint must begin either by examining the events which are
taking place 100 yards north of the White House, or by examining
events taking place within the Department of Interior with refer-
ence to events taking place 100 yards north of the White House.

     I believe that the President should, at least by virtue of his
oath of office, bear some responsibility for supervising the
actions of agencies under his control.  Unless I am incorrect in
that belief, quite frankly, your response to my letter of September
21st falls short of a responsible suggestion.

     In light of the foregoing I would renew my request for an
investigation of my complaint pursuant to Executive Order 12291.

                              Sincerely,

                              
                              William Thomas