The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-11

In accord with this article of the
constitution, legislation has been enact
ed which eXempts from taxation prop,
erty named in the section, including
buildings used extensively for reli gious
worship and for charitable purposes.
But for some reason, ever since the
state was admitted into the union,
there Is a vast amount of property
owned by the Mormon church, in Salt
Lake county in particular, which has
never been assessed for taxation.
Tithing House Grounds Omitted.
For instance, the grounds which have
been used for the tithing house never
the buildings thereon, now being razed
in order that q big hotel may be erect
ed, have never been assessed. This
does not include the site upon which
the old Deseret News building stood
the ground running east from the cor
ner and fronting upon South Temple
street. The ground in question which
has escaped taxation was put into the
new hotel proposition at something like
100000. Why this piece of property
has never been assessed, no one knows,
On the corner OF Second avenue and
y street Il handsome structure has been
erected by the church. known as Whit
ney hail. II is a desirable location and
II valuable piece Of property. 1t is used
for amusements and social gatherings
This property has never been assessed
for taxation Why. no one knows.
Near the corner of Second avenue and
u street is the Twentieth ward amusc
ment hall, 1t is separate and apart
from the Twentieth ward meeting
house. Both pieces of property are
owned by the church. The ground upon
which the amusement hall stands, as
also the improvements thereon. has
never been assessed. Why, no one
knows.
Amusement Halls Not Taxed.
In fact. every amusement or assem-
bly, hall owned by the Mormon church
in Salt Lake county-and there are a
number of them-have never been as
sessed for taxation These halls are
not used as places of worship, nor are
they charitable institutions. Why they
have never been assessed no one
knows. but for years they have evaded
taxation.
The Lion house, a part and parcel Of
the official residence of the president of
the Mormon church, is not assessed for
taxation. AT the present time it is
said 10 be used AS Il part OF the Lat
tcr-dav Saints college, and it might be
held that it thus came under the head
of schools and that il would therefore
be exempt. but it is not n public school,
but a private or denominational col
legc.
AS to the Temple.
The Salt Lake temple. which cost
four millions of dollars, is not assessed
for taxation. This building, under the
law. is not used exclusively for reig-
ious worship or for charitable purposes.
II is not open to the public. 1t is used
for the purpose of performing rites: No
one. unless member of the church in
good standing, is ever permitted 10
enter its portals, and. to further ex-
clude outsiders. il is fenced off from
THAT portion of the grounds on which
the tabernacle aud assembly hall, both
of which are used exclusively for re-
ligious purposes, stand. and which, OF
course. are exempt from taxation, Peo-
pIe are wondering why the temple is
not assessed for taxation.
As a matter of fact, the MormooIp
church owns in Salt Lake county mil
lions OF dollars worth of real estate,
including the buildings thereon, which