The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1918-02-23

The Pinellas Patriotic Pageant is a
thing of the past, but it will live long,
IN the memory of the great host of
visitors and the residents of our city
who witnessed the event.
That the public may know to whom
is due the credit for conceiving and
starting this great pageant we feel
that we should tell the facts, though
they may not please our new and hus-
ting citizen, Steven B. Ayres.
Some time ago Mr.. Ayres suggest
ed to The Leader that there should
be some kind of a celebration which
would be the means of advertising and
calling general attention to the "Ven-
ice of the South" Tarpon Springs,
and at the same time furnish enter
tainment to the touria TIE papers
Fof the state to ten ~ aourists Of
Tarpon Springs.
This was a good idea, an idea which,
perhaps, had occurred to many before,
but the excuse, or cause for the cele-
bration had to be found. Mr.. Ayres's
brain works while many of us sleep
and he hit upon the idea OF having the
Governor of the state come to Tarpon
Springs to attend celebration on
Washington's birthday. But Tarpon
Springs has not been in the habit of
making a gala occasion of the ami
lversary Of the birth of the Father OF
our Country, and it was necessary to
CREATE some reason for the city
putting on gala attire at this time, es-
lpecially was this difficult inasmuch as
celebrations are not in order during
this great war. But Tarpon Springs
must celebrate, said Mr.. Ayres to The
Leader, and we will furnish the cause
for the celebration.
This reminded us of the time proceed
ling the Spanish-American war when
the Maine was blown up and the great
newspaper-owner, William Randolph
Hearst, sent his representative to Ha-
vana to be on the job and furnish news
and pictures of the coming war. After
remaining in Havana for some time
while the 1ong-drawn-out investiga-
ton as to the cause of the sinking OF
the Maine was proceeding, this repre-
sentative became tired and wired Mr.
Hearst that he thought he might as
well return to New York as there
would be no war. Mr.. Hearst wired
back: "Stay on the job, furnish the
news and we will furnish the var
Which he did, as we all are well
laware.
| Well, Mr.. Ayres furnished the gov
| ernor as a cause for having the cele-
bration and then furnished the cele-
bration as means of entertaining the
governor.
| How did he do this? Quite simple
| He wrote the governor inviting hin
to be present at the big celebration
4 The governor accepted the invitation
| With this acceptance there was ample
lcause for arousing enthusiasm in oui
Icitizens to furnish the celebration
land it was furnished in great shape
thanks to those who worked and con.
, tributed their time and money to max
ing it a. success. Mr.. Ayres did not
do it all, and we expect that he will be
very angry at us for telling this, but
he did start the ball rolling and gath,
cred together others to help push il
along. And that is how and why Tar
pom Springs is now favorably known
! to thousands and thousands Of people
over the state who never knew of i
before.
The people owe a vote of thanks Il
Hon. Steven B. Ayres, and we fee
| sure they will give it when they hav'
Tread the above story.