Who does Frick call in to deal with the strikers?

• A. State police
• B. National Guard
• C. Pinkertons
• D. Local law enforcement

Answer: (C)

Frick's decision to call in the Pinkertons to deal with the strikers is significant because the Pinkerton National Detective Agency was well-known for their use of private security and armed agents to break strikes and manage labor disputes. During this period, they had a reputation for aggressive tactics against labor movements, and their involvement often escalated confrontations. In the context of the Homestead Strike of 1892, Frick viewed the Pinkertons as a means to forcibly remove the strikers and restore order to the steel plant, which was crucial for him to maintain production and assert control over his workforce. Their presence at the Homestead plant marked a pivotal moment in labor relations during that era, showcasing the lengths to which industrial leaders would go to suppress labor movements.

The other groups mentioned, such as state police or local law enforcement, were typically called in for maintaining public order in other contexts, whereas the National Guard was often mobilized for larger-scale civil disturbances. However, the Pinkertons specifically were employed for their experience in handling strikers, making Frick's choice to hire them a strategic and influential decision in the narrative of labor history.