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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000909012-03-000015.txt : 20030114
<SEC-HEADER>0000909012-03-000015.hdr.sgml : 20030114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030109104712
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000909012-03-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-A12B
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030109

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000033934
		IRS NUMBER:				132727013
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-A12B
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31582
		FILM NUMBER:		03508636

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MGMT INC.
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122722093

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MGMT INC.
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EXCELSIOR INCOME SHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EIS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-A12B
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>t25120.txt
<DESCRIPTION>REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES
<TEXT>
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-A


                FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES

        PURSUANT TO 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



                New York                                  N/A
- ----------------------------------------          ------------------
(State of Incorporation or Organization)            (IRS Employer
                                                  Identification No.)

            383 Madison Ave.
           New York, New York                          10179
- ---------------------------------------       -----------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)            (Zip Code)



If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c), please check the following box. [ X ]

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(d), please check the following box. [ ]

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates (if
applicable): 333-99583.

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     Title of each class to be        Name of each exchange on which each class
            registered                   of stock is to be registered
     ---------------------------           -------------------------

             COMMON                        AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE

       Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                 NOT APPLICABLE

                                (Title of Class)



<PAGE>




ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.

A description of the Common Stock is set forth in the Registrant's combined
Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14, dated September 30, 2002, and filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2002, Registration No.
333-99583 (the "Registration Statement") on behalf of Cornerstone Total Return
Fund, Inc. (the "Registrant"), which is hereby incorporated by reference for all
purposes.

ITEM 2. EXHIBITS.

           1.  Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant are herein
               incorporated in by reference to the Registration Statement.

           2.  By-laws of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to
               the Registration Statement.

           The Registrant hereby further incorporates by reference the
description of the Common Stock included in any form of prospectus subsequently
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.



DATED: JANUARY 7, 2003     CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

                             BY: /S/ THOMAS R. WESTLE
                                ---------------------------
                                THOMAS R. WESTLE, SECRETARY
<PAGE>






</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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