Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-01
CENTRAL UNION MISSION.
An Urgent Appeal to Relieve the
Building From Taxation.

-sAASSAohA
home the old city post office building on
Louisiana avenue, and the field of charitable
operations has been extended in all direc-
tons. Lodgings and meals are given the
homeless and hungry for a small amount of
labor, meals are sold at unusually reason
able rates and fuel in small quantities is
furnished at ton rates. The board of direc-
tors have made every effort to cover the
charitable field to the fullest extent, as well
as to look after the spiritual welfare of the
fallen and Notwithstanding people, and now
they are earnestly endeavoring to pay for
the building where so much good work is
being accomplished. Some Of the good citi-
zens have erected a living monument to
their names by subscribing amounts within
their means, and 1t is hoped that future sub
scriptions will keep pace with those already
made
Relief From Taxes Asked.
The citizens have done so well that the
projectors of the mission are now making
an effort to have their building exempt
from taxes, under the law regulating such
matters. Judge L. G. Kimball and Rev E.
ID. Bailey. members of a committee appoint
ed for this purpose have addressed to the
Commissioners an interesting letter con-
corning the work of the mission and max
ing the request stated.
The letter reads as follows:
The board of directors of the Central
Union Mission respectfully request that the
property recently purchased by the mission
be exempt from taxation under the pro-
visions OF section of the act passed March
3, 1877, entitled An act for the support OF
the government OF the District of Columbia
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1873 and
for other purposes. This act provides
among other things, for the exemption from
taxation of churches and of buildings be-
longing to institutions of purely public
charity, conducted without charge to
inmates, profit or income: but, IL any
portion OF any such building SO in
terms excepted Is larger than is alb
Solutely required and actually used for
Its legitimate purpose. and none other or is
used to secure a rent or income or for eny
business purpose, such portion of the same
or a sum equal in value to such portion
snail be taxed against the owner of said
building
This request is made in the firm con-
Viction that the provisions above quoted en-
title this property to exemption. In sup
port OF this claim your attention is respect
fully called to the following facts:
Inc Central Union Mission was organized
in october, 1884. for the purpose of main
tanning daily religious services of an evan
gelistic character in the business portion of
the city. In pursuance of this object, rooms
were rented first at No. 800, and SUISSE
quently at No. 020 Pennsylvania avenue
tained until January, 1893, since which date
these services have been continued in the
building on Louisiana avenue, which was
purchased by the mission on November /,
lS92. and remodeled for its USE
The scope of the mission work has en-
larged and greatly extended by natural
development, until II has branches in about
a dozen different parts of the city, where
evangelistic services of a similar character
are maintained. AS the work of the mis-
sion has been chiefly among the poorer
classes, an extensive system of charity has
grown up and become conspicuous fea-
ture.
I'm January, 1887, the mission was incor-
porated under the laws CT the District Of
Columbia relating to general incorpora-
tons, and in the articles of Incorporation
the purpose or object is set forth as follows:
The object of the society is to establish,
operate and maintain gospel missions of an
undenominational character to each the
non-church-going portion of this commu-
nifty
The facts about the mission may be sum-
married. follows:
II. 1t maintains a central place of worship
at its building on Louisiana avenue, where
religious services of an evangeliStic charac-
ter are held twice day, and II has many
branches in other parts OF the city for sim
liar purposes.
"2. 1t is entirely supported by the free
Will offerings of the people, having no in
come from any other source whatever.
-. 1t collects and disburses for its re-
ligious and charitable work about 5000 an
nually, paying only about $1,000 in salaries
nearly all of its vast work being done by
volunteer workers, wholly without compen-
sation.
II. 1t conducts open-air services with its
well-known gospel wagon. holds religious
services in lodging houses, jails, work
houses, aims houses and various other
places.
rs. 1t maintains system of home visit
ing, hospital visiting and other work OF a
similar character
ii. 1t has an industrial department where
work is furnished to the unemployed, and,
in compensation. lodging and meals are fur
nshed.
-. 1t distributes food, clothing and fuel
to the poor, finds employm ent for some,
ministers to the sick, buries the dead, and
in almost every conceivable way seeks to
relieve human suffering by pure and simple
charity.
IS 1t maintains dormitories for the shelter
of men and women who are homeless and it
maintains soup house, where plain food
may be furnished in compensation for work
done in the industrial department, or at a
cheap rate by those who are able TO pay
something.
-. 1t is recognized by the churches of
Washington of all denominations as an
agent for reaching with the gospel the
poorer classes and dispensing their charita-
BILE gifts to sufferers.
10. 1t has been doing this class of work
for nearly ten years and has enjoyed tie
the community in a most remarkable de-
gree
There can be no doubt, therefore, that
the mission building Is, in the language OF
the law, "a building belonging to AN institu-
ton of purely public charity conducted
without charge to inmates, profit or income
and as such is entitled TO exemption from
taxation. The mission does not ask or de-
sire any assistance whatever from the pub
lie funds, but 1t does ask that it be not
burdened with taxation. 1t is collecting
and disbursing annually thousands of dol
lars for the relief of suffering and the moral
elevation of the people, and reason, as well
as law, justifes the request that it shall
not be taxed for the support of the munich
pal government.
when the present property was pur-
chased 1t was expected that some parts of
the building would be rented for business
purposes. This plan has been reinquished
and the entire building is to be devoted to
religious, charitable and benevolent work.
AT present the only business enterprise in
the building is laundry agency admitted
there temporarily at s. a month. The Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union which
co-operates with the mission through the
Hope and Help Home, has Its headquarters
here and pays rental to cover the cost of
light, heat and janitor service. Some of the
missionaries and other workers of the mis-
sion have rooms in the building for con-
venience, for which they render more than
an equivalent service; but they are not ten
ants for business purposes or to help the
revenues of the mission. They are there
because their services are needed in caring