The commissioner shall have the power to require any person engaged in producing or severing timber or timber products, from the soil or water, to furnish any additional information deemed by him to be necessary for the purpose of computing the amount of said tax. The commissioner shall have the power to examine the books, records, letters, papers, documents, and all files of such persons for the purpose of assessing the tax; and, to that end, shall have the power to examine witnesses, and if any such witness shall fail or refuse to appear at the request of the commissioner, or refuse access to books, records, letters, papers, documents and files, said commissioner shall have the power and authority to proceed as provided by the Mississippi Sales Tax Law.