@jwcph I think, quite understandably, people are very skeptical of corporations making optimization decisions on behalf of other people.
But I don't see any way to describe this as an incorrect decision. Especially since, as you admit, that standard stayed a thing until the next millennium.
I hold both facts in my head that the cartel was a bad organization and that the hourly limit was actually a good thing. I don't think those are incompatible thoughts.