Are these truly the only reasons why the short program exists? If the short program serves no other purpose than these then it certainly should be eliminated. These goals can easily be accomplished in other ways (like rankings), and the ISU could save the money.
That is the logical reason.
How do you accomplish it any other way? Rankings don't tell you who has broken tibia.
ISU is not in a business to save money. Plus, it's fun to have the SP. Even between sad arias, there is an intermission. There should be a SP to build up suspense.