Exhibit 4(a)





August 4, 1994

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street NW
Washington, DC  20549

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The company agrees to furnish the Commission upon request copies of the
following long-term debt instruments:

1.    Credit Agreement between Equitable of Iowa Companies and Morgan
      Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, and the Bank of New
      York, as Administrative Agent, and participating banks, dated March
      31, 1994, re:  line of credit in amount of $166,000,000.

2.    Credit Agreement between Equitable of Iowa Companies and Morgan
      Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, and the Bank of New
      York, as Administrative Agent, and participating banks, dated March
      31, 1994, re:  line of credit in amount of $83,000,000.

3.    Note Purchase Agreement dated August 19, 1986, between Walnut Mall
      Limited Partnership ("Issuer") and Teacher Retirement System of
      Texas ("Purchaser") in the remaining principal amount of $26,122,088
      due through August 19, 1996.

4.    Trust Indenture dated December 1, 1984, with Security National Bank
      of Sioux City, Iowa, as Trustee, re: industrial development revenue
      bonds in remaining principal amount of $3,090,000 due in various a
      mounts on December 1, 1986 and each anniversary thereof  through
      December 1, 1999.



Very truly yours,

/s/  John A. Merriman

John A. Merriman
General Counsel/Secretary
Equitable of Iowa Companies