Evening star., 1935-11-17
Many Surprises in Store for Visitor
To the Home of Ciric Leader o. J. Dduy
Ships, Spinning Wheels
and Toys Created
as Hobby.
Eren Ton, the Cat Has
Story With His His
toric Birthplace.
BY JOHN II. Cassidy. JR.

BY JOHN III. Cassidy, JR.
TIME roof of carpenters home
isn't always waterproof. The
pipes in a plumbers home
u sometimes break and radio
engineers own radio often produces
nothing but static. So, if you're plan
ming a visit to the home of Orrin j.
Davy at 420 Eleventh street southeast,
don't be surprised if he doesn't an
swer when you press the door bell
button. even though your host is an
electrician.
The bell is out of order-at least it
was when this reporter called at
Davys home for an interview recently.
But don't hesitate to knock on the
door. Davy, who is one of Southeast
Washington's most active civic lead
ers and certainly one of its greatest
lobbyists, has enough stories, novelties
and gadgets to hold your attention for
hours.
Fireplace Has Glass Goals"
One of the first things to catch the
intervieWer's eye was a beautiful fire.
place filled with what appeared to be
red-hot Goals OF fire. Closer eXamina-
ton revealed the Goals were rough,
thick pieces of glass under which a
red light revolved, giving one a real
istic impression of a smoldering fire.
Everything was there but the heat.
Davy next exhibited his gas meter.
Now, a gas meter may not sound so un-
usual, but this one was because it is
located very snugly inside fake
radiator in the living room. The
phoney radiator stands beside the real
one.
Practically all Davys hobbies are
centered about his home, which, as a
matter Of fact. is really his greatest
hobby. When he moved there shortly
after the World War. he Immediately
started moving things around, trans
ferring fights of steps from one place
to another, cutting doorways, until
he had made the house as he wanted
it. Opening of the dining room is a
kitchen that would delight any house
wife-large and roomy and convenient
in every detail.
Rising from the ground in front OF
his front porch and extending all the
way to the top of his home is wis
terra vine, the pride of the southeast.
The plant is so years old.
At the rear of his home, opening
off the kitchen, is one of Davy's
favorite spots-his workshop. Here,
in years past, he has been veritable
Santa Claus to his children. grand
children and their playmates by re-
pairing dolls, toys and things for them
and carving little novelties out of
pieces of wood.
Deg Models Popular.
Once he took a piece of wood and
carved out the figure of little Scotty
dog. Soon afterward the Scotty dis
appeared, so the lobbyist made three
more. These disappeared, too, so si2
more were made, then a dozen ano
| finally 25. He just couldn't make
enough to supply his friends.
Another little novelty he has made
is miniature spinning wheel. con-
tanning trick hiding place for val
uables. He has built practically al
his lamps, tall clock, tables.
The leg of a table which rests or
the fake" radiator was made from
bannisters from the home of Frances
Hodgson Burnett. author of Little
Lord Fauntleroy" and many other
books and plays. The noted authors
home was located at what was then
1915 I street.
Two of Davy's most priced posses
sions are models of the old U. S. S
Constitution and the U. S. S
Hartford, Admiral David Glasgow
Farragut's ship, which he constructed
in his workshop The model of the
Constitution is built to scale through
out
His seven grandchildren have kept
him busy supplying toys and little
novelties, Davy says. Among the
many playthings he has built is a
little doll house complete with rugs
furniture, etc.
Even Cat Has Story.
1t seems as though there is a story
behind nearly all Davy's diversions
and that includes the family cat, Tom
Tom is distinguished cat because
he was born in no less distinguished
place than the United States Capitol
His mother had 80 other children
born in the Capitol, I am told. Tom
has been with the Davy family for
about two years now and Davy says
when he is locked out of the house
Then he can outswear any man, ac-
cording to Davy.
Turning to civic affairs, We find
that Davy has another hobby, in which
he carries on a friendly rivalry with
William A. Maio, head of the South
east Citizens Association and the
Southeast Conference of Citizens As
Sociations. DaVy is executive secre-
tary of the southeast unit and Sec
retary of the conference. Both are
members of their respective unions
both are on the Board of Governors
of the Metropolitan Police Boys Club
and both are connected with the
present Community Chest drive. Davy
also is delegate to the Federation
of Citizens Associations.
Davy has lived in the Southeas
practically all of his life and ha!
been active in civic work for man;
years. He feels that the Southeas
section is the last of "Old Washing
ton" and he hopes its residents vii
always keep alive the neighborly feel.
ing which has always existed between
them.
Sees Southeast Expansion.
He believes the natural expan.
sion direction of Washington is ir
the Southeast, particularly across tn.
Anacostia River, where there is plent,
of land which can be developed
While he feels that replacement O
the old Pennsylvania avenue bridge
| to be No. | project. one of his MAR