8a Corps to get Gov Contracts.
Yep, Davis Bacon to ‘keep ‘em’ OUT and 8A to open the door.
Many companies came East to set up shop with a ‘Black’ contractor.
One local company took an ‘old truck driver’, put a trailer in place for him which was his ‘office’.
Once a month or so, the ‘CO’ would come to the trailer with a check which was ‘signed over’ to the CO and the ‘owner’ of the 8A was given a check.
I went to work for a Black Asphalt Company owner who was ‘funded’ by an Indiana firm. But ‘my guy’ was a retired US Army COL and got his ‘monkey’ off his back quickly and became very successful and as a GC made out very well.
His 8A status was good but I think he got most of his out of the COL then MAJGEN.
He was very light skinned - much like Colin Powell with basically the same ‘home’ background...He went from enlisted to West Point (class’56) which sort of ‘steeled him up’.
He had some ‘tales’ of his days at Fort Benning and more so ‘outside’ the gate with the locals.
He did end up being a Nuclear as well as Civil Engineer.
Good man.