After the issuance of an execution against property; and upon proof by the affidavit of the plaintiff in the writ, or otherwise, to the satisfaction of the court that the judgment debtor has property liable to execution which he refuses to apply toward the satisfaction of the judgment, such court may, by an order, require the judgment debtor to appear and answer under oath concerning the same before such court or before a district court commissioner, at a time and place specified in the order.