Washington Post Story for more information. It sounds like HD has had a long standing policy, but after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch read a copy of the memo, the 'fit hit the shan'. HD is just trying to not be labeled a government contractor so they won't have to do additional accounting or employment related disclosures.

More info:
http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20020617-000185-0543
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/168/economy/Home_Depot_works_to_avoid_fede:.shtml

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