TEAR THOSE FENCES DOWN?

I have a lot of sympathy for the homeless, particularly around this time of year when we're feeling the pressure of good will to men and it's cold outside. However, I think Mitch Snyder's hunger strikes are beginning to affect his mind. The tearing down of the fences at the Metro stations {Metro, Dec. 26} defies reason. Metro is in the business of running a clean, safe transportation system, not housing the homeless.

It hasn't been that long ago that I held my breath from the fare gates to the top of the escalator at Farragut West. The stench was unbelievable. Thank goodness the fences that clank down at night have eliminated the cause of the odor. Let's not go backward.

Unfortunately for the homeless, this kind of unreasonable destruction of property and attempted enforcement of single interest doesn't promote sympathy or willingness to work out solutions that are acceptable.

NANCY L. LAUBIS Vienna

Three cheers for the Community for Creative Non-Violence advocates who tore down the fences at four Metro stations in order to allow the homeless to find shelter inside. Their action was dramatic, but in light of the city's refusal to open new shelters in the midst of such an urgent crisis, it was necessary. It ranks on a scale with the nonviolent civil disobedience of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi.

The city needs to open more shelters and provide affordable housing immediately. Otherwise, human beings will continue to suffer, and some will freeze to death.

At our drop-in center and shelter for the homeless on North Capitol Street, we are overwhelmed with the needs of the homeless and see every day the results of the city government's inaction.

When the city provides adequate shelter for every person on the street, then perhaps there will be no need to tear fences down. When that day comes, there will not be a need for any fences.

Meanwhile, thank you, CCNV.

JOHN DEAR Assistant Director The Horace McKenna Center Washington

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