Robert D. Timm | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 8th district | |
| In office 1951–1959 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Dale Timm October 2, 1921 Harrington, Washington, U.S |
| Died | January 6, 2016 (aged 94) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman |
Robert Dale Timm (October 2, 1921 – January 6, 2016) was an American politician and businessman.
Born in Harrington, Washington, Timm served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from University of Washington and worked in the aeronautics industry. Timm served on the Harrington School Board. He then served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1951 to 1957 and was a Republican. From 1965 to 1970, Timm served as chairman of the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Board. From 1971 to 1976, Timm served on the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), in Washington, D.C..[1][2] Timm was appointed Chair of the CAB effective 1 March 1973, replacing Secor Browne.[3]
Timm was heavily criticized for his leadership of the CAB. One of Timm's policies was that airlines should make a 12% return on investment[4] and his CAB would not permit fare reductions that could imperil that standard.[5] Timm was caught vacationing with airline CEOs, paid for by aircraft manufacturers.[6] He was also accused by CAB staff of suppressing investigations into illegal contributions by airlines to the re-election campaign of President Nixon.[7] In 1975, Senator Ted Kennedy, with the assistance of future Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer, held hearings on the conduct of the CAB. Kennedy's report referred Timm to the US Department of Justice for possible prosecution.[7]
President Ford declined to reappoint Timm as chair of the CAB for 1975,[8] and in late 1975 requested his resignation as a board member.[9] Earlier in 1975, Ford had appointed pro-competition John E. Robson as CAB chair. The Kennedy hearings and Robson's appointment are generally held to mark the beginning of the process of airline deregulation in the United States.
- ^ Robert Dale Timm-obituary
- ^ 'Timm resigns from CAA Board,' The Morning Record (Meriden, Connecticut), December 11, 1975, pg. 27
- ^ "Timm to Push Industry Economic Vitality". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 98 (10): 30. March 5, 1973. ISSN 0005-2175.
- ^ "Timm Sees Airline Profits Spread, with 12% Average". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 98 (21): 23. May 21, 1973. ISSN 0005-2175.
- ^ Civil Aeronautics Board Practices and Procedures: Report of the Subcommittee on Administrative Practice and Procedure of the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States Senate (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 11. hdl:2027/mdp.39015078076794.
- ^ "Junketeering". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 101 (4): 11. July 29, 1974. ISSN 0005-2175.
- ^ a b CABReport 1975, p. 18.
- ^ "Cost-Cutting". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 102 (1): 11. January 6, 1975. ISSN 0005-2175.
- ^ "Timm Resigns, Hits White House Staff". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 103 (24): 28. December 15, 1975. ISSN 0005-2175.