Understanding the Free Market

It is not a new principle in law that one may not negligently endanger the lives of others. Police investigation of suspected negligence and criminal penalties in such cases--and airline industry self-inspection accordingly--would not be inconsistent with the operation of a free market for air carriers. But it would be inconsistent with regulation of the carriers.

Paul Sonnenburg’s review of “Blind Trust” (Book Review, Jan. 26) shows no understanding of what the free market is. Not the least of his misstatements is that free market principles are “unexamined dogma.” That has not been the case for some years now. To the contrary, the unexamined view--and with it, an unwillingness or inability or lack of interest in problem solutions which are consistent with free market principles--is Mr. Sonnenburg’s own view, it appears.

FRED GROH

Los Angeles