In 1872 Alfred Krupp issued a 22-page rulebook for his works, the General-Regulativ für die Firma Fried. Krupp in Essen. It set out principles and rights for the operation and administration of the firm and imposed strict duties on all employees. Union and Social Democratic activity was forbidden.
On 11 February 1877 Krupp addressed his employees. … wer unsern Ordnungen widerstrebt, der beeile sich auf anderen Boden zu kommen. Whoever resists our rules should hurry to find other ground. The editors of the source collection German History in Documents call it his patriarchal claim to be Herr im Hause, master in the house.