A RAIL ADVOCATE PASSES. Charlie Sykes reports the death of Paul Weyrich. James Rowen correctly describes one aspect of Mr Weyrich's advocacy.

Weyrich, an ally of former Mayor John Norquist's on the rail issue despite their party differences, thought government's monopoly provision of highways violated free market principles because it withheld the rail choice from taxpayers.

We've noted Mr Weyrich's rail advocacy, and the beginning of his activism working to save the North Shore Line, numerous times over the years.