| Show COFFEE COFFEE TEA OR LOWER LOVER FARES 4 t tI I 7 f IA T TeAH I 1 least ft SCAT lT II IIA A small miracle is happening in Washington Congress is actually actually ac ac- ac- ac considering legislation to remove some government t regulations regulations reg reg- from something for a change something The is the nations nation's airlines whose route service service service ser ser- vice decisions and fares are regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board CAB Bills BiUs in both houses of Congress are examples of sleeper legislation that attracts a lot of support but very little little lit little lit lit- tle attention And consider the support It ranges from busi busi- ness-baiting ness Ralph Nader to the National Association of Manufacturers Manufacturers Manufacturers Man Man- from conservative to liberal lawmakers These supporters marshal some impressive arguments CAB controls make the airlines noncompetitive souring the climate for fare cuts Intrastate airlines not subject to federal regulation charge far lower prices than interstate lines For in instance instance instance in- in stance it cost 56 last year to fly miles between Boston and Washington and only 31 to fly between San Diego and San Francisco nearly 60 miles farther The delays in getting CAB approval to enter new markets or try tryout out new ideas also tend to smother innovations in air service say deregulation boosters Opponents on the other hand including some airlines argue that making it easier to enter markets could lead to brutal competition with carriers scrambling for business by offering fares that dont don't cover costs They They also also feel that CAB control over market choices assures air service for some communities that would never get it otherwise Overall we think the pros outweigh the cons Any legislation that promises to lift some of the regulatory deadweight deadweight deadweight dead dead- weight and ease the pinch on the consumers consumer's pocketbook at the same time merits encouragement r f i t |
