Curiouser and curiouser!
I used the link
ncorman posted, and submitted the referral, and it appeared to take (so the screen said), but my relative never received the referral e-mail. Maybe the e-mail mailer at the link has been disabled.
I also sent an e-mail about the situation to e*trade from the e*trade site, but have received absolutely no reply. I thought the reply might have been delayed due to the "denial of service" attack on their site, but that was days ago, and still nothing.
This is not good PR, nor the type of marketing that instills confidence!