Section 25-2-23
Powers of secretary, officers of department and board of appeals as to witnesses.
The Secretary of Labor, any officer of the Department of Labor designated by the secretary and the members of the board of appeals, in the performance of any function or duty or the execution of any power prescribed by law, shall have the power to administer oaths, certify to official acts, take and cause to be taken depositions of witnesses, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, books, accounts, payrolls, documents, records and testimony. In the event of failure of any person to comply with any subpoena lawfully issued, or on the refusal of any witness to produce evidence or to testify as to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated, it shall be the duty of any court of competent jurisdiction or of the judge thereof, upon the application of the Secretary of Labor or any officer of the Department of Labor designated by the secretary or any member of the board of appeals, to compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued for such court or a refusal to testify therein. Witness fees and other expenses involved in proceedings under this section shall be paid to the extent necessary, at rates specified by the Secretary of Labor, from the Unemployment Administration Fund, when such expenses are in connection with the administration of Chapter 4 of this title.
(Acts 1939, No. 161, p. 232; Code 1940, T. 26, §22.)