Fence Encircling Capitol Urged to Deter Terrorists

Lawmakers worried about terrorism urged the architect of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to put a fence around the park-like grounds surrounding the building, which one congressman called “a worldwide symbol of democracy.”

George White, the Capitol’s architect, told a House public works subcommittee that a wrought iron fence, similar to the one surrounding the White House, is being considered for security reasons.

“A fence can be made very secure and attractive,” White said. “There is no architectural reason not to do it, and there are security reasons to do it.”

White noted, however, that there may be philosophical reasons against putting up a fence and “isolating the people from their government.”

But he also said there was a fence around the Capitol in the 1840s, primarily to keep horses and cattle from wandering onto the grounds. The fence was removed in 1850.

68 Tree-Dotted Acres

The area immediately around the Capitol encompasses 68 tree-dotted acres, according to the architect’s office, which is in charge of not only the Capitol but also House and Senate office buildings.

The committee, concerned about security disclosures, voted 9 to 0 to close the hearing to the media and public when a number of witnesses testified about increasing security at the complex.

In a statement, Rep. Robert A. Young (D-Mo.) urged reporters to be “prudent” in reporting on the hearing “since publicity of this nature tends to encourage threats from the sick minds of terrorists.”

Earlier, members of the committee appeared virtually unanimous in supporting the construction of a fence and other security measures at the Capitol. The measures must be approved by Congress.