INSURANCE. 1821

facts, or to have the means of knowledge in. relation to the matter herein
required to be examined and inquired into, and to cause the said testimony
to be reduced to writing; and when, in his judgment, such examination
discloses that the fire or attempt to cause a fire was of incendiary origin,
the commissioner or said special deputy may arrest the supposed incendiary
or cause him to be arrested and charged with the crime; and shall transmit
a copy of the testimony so taken to the state's attorney for the county or
city wherein said fire or attempt to cause a fire occurred; and upon the
request of the owner or insurer of any property destroyed or injured by fire,
or in which an attempt to cause a fire may have occurred, the said commis-
sioner or special deputy shall make a written report to the person requesting
the same, of the result of the examination made by him regarding said
property. The commissioner shall annually report to the governor the
results of all examinations made by him and his said deputy.

1922, ch. 492, sec. 55.

56. Special Deputy for Investigation of Fires. That in order to carry
out and perform the powers and duties conferred by the preceding section,
the commissioner is authorized to appoint and remove at pleasure an addi-
tional deputy, at such compensation as may be approved by the board of
public works, not exceeding, however, $2,000 per annum, and such addi-
tional clerical assistance, receiving such compensation, as the said com-
missioner, with the approval of the board of public works, may deem nec-
essary; provided, however, that the total compensation and expenses au-
thorized by this sub-title shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of $4,000
per annum.

1922, ch. 492, sec. 56.

57. Examination of Persons and Premises. The commissioner and his
said special deputy shall have power to subpoena witnesses, and to compel
their attendance before him or them to testify in relation to any matter
which is, by the provisions of this article, a subject of inquiry and investiga-
tion by the commissioner or deputy, and shall also have power to cause to be
produced before him or them such papers as he or they may require in
making such examinations. The commissioner and special deputy shall be
and they are hereby authorized to administer oaths and affirmations to
persons appearing as witnesses before him or them; and false swearing in
any matter of proceeding aforesaid shall be deemed perjury and shall be
punishable as such. The commissioner and special deputy shall have
the authority at all times of the day or night, in performance of the
duties imposed by the provisions of this act, to enter upon and examine
any building or premises where any fires or attempt to cause fires shall
have occurred, or which at the time may be burning, and also the power
to enter upon at any time any building adjacent to that in which the
fire or attempt to cause fires occurred, should he deem it necessary in
the proper discharge of his duties; and they may, in the exercise of their
discretion, take full control and custody of the said buildings and premises,
and place such person in charge thereof as they may deem proper, until their