National Republican., 1878-05-15
TAXATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
The Question Presented In an Intersstin,
Form.

Form.
To The Editor Of he National RcpuRindn:
SIR: III the list Of delinquent church property
hnd the Washington Hebrew Congregation men.
toned as indebted sSi3o3 for taxes. This Is an
error the congregation In ques ton Is lawabidng
and has paid every dollar assessed against II, and
Is ready and willing 70 pay on all its property
Whenever II Is due. There was a doubt raisod
whether their lot the north side Of their temple
which Is used for school purposes, was liable to
ation, and as their counscll presented the ques.
tlon to the Commissioners, who decided that all
the property, except what was used as q place for
religious services taxable being satisfied that
the decision was IN accordance with law, I so ad
viscd the congregation, and the amount levied.
about So was promptly paid a.ked the Com
SI%uop. "'"i dl,ss,Sn ssiS' should s.'' .norn no
is plain and explicit 10 property EXCEPT that
which Is used exclusively for the purposes Of re.
ligious worship is exempt by law from taxation IL
church allows It's cdiiice % be occupied for con.
certs, shows, &C. or rents It out for any purpose
whatever, u must pay taxes the same as any exhi-
bition hall. very large number Of churches in
the District hahitually give entertainments for pay
and profit and are thereby liable TO be assessed the
same es variety hall or lecture room but under
the fraudulent plea that they places Of worship
escape the levy. | Instance one church, Dr. Ran.
kins; every season 1t nrrangcs for course Of en-.
,srainnent' OF secular nature, advertiscs them in
the papen, and placaris the town with
posters, the same any theatre, contain
ing notices as to prices Of admission aud
price OF reserved seats. | have attended sew
eral Of these shows. They were very enjoyable
especially the lectures OF Bay yard Taylor bret iiarc
the telephone, &C., but had to pay extra on
some occasions for reserved seals or 90
INTO tho gallery. Now, when any church
organization goes into the show business II
ought not OnIy To pay tax on its property. but a
license the same as the Theatre COInlue, Mnrinis
Hall, the Odd Fellows Hall, &c. Such an organi.
Lati"h hs the Masonic Hall Association, which has
IN ply taxes on It's property and license for giving
entertainments. cannot compete with such suCety
| =, the Congregational Church which evales the
law under a >pccipns and unlawful plea. But more
Than TINS, Tie Congregational Church rents its build
ING for school. receives it, therefor and rents
| out another portion for a singng.sChuOl. There
! are other churches which do the same | mention
this one merely ns an iuSti at on. some churches
go further hrcOr buy house for their pastor. hold
| ~ occasional prayer.mretng therein and then
claim exemption as Il place OF religious worship II
VIII not do To cite Lincoln Hall, for the whole
building pays no tax although the prUpriCtOrs lease
nlt some OF the most valuable stores IN the city
can property yhOldcrs compete with such uvUritsm? ?
| Can Marinis Hall, Did Fellows Hall, Masonic
| Hall. Ialmldgo liul, and other public places
erected for the purpose Ofgiving secular entertain
n"ut. which have u pay taxes and licenses. Offer
as cheap rent for their use ns can be afforded by the
p:uprir oTs OF such buildings the Congregational
! church. who pay no tax or Nrcnsc. aud yet unlaw-
fully claim the privilege Of catering for public cn.
! tcrtuinment iOr pay and profit?
LEWIS ABRAHAM.
| 81 WHITE VESTS, various styles. EIsEMAN's.