HARRY W. NICE, GOVERNOR. 543

57. EXAMINATION OF PERSONS AND PREMISES. The Commis-
sioner and his 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 provision of this
Article, a subject of inquiry and investigation by the Commis-
sioner 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 examination. The Commissioner and
deputy shall be and they are hereby authorized to administer
oaths and affirmations to persons appearing as witnesses be-
fore him or them; and false swearing in any matter or pro-
ceeding aforesaid shall be deemed perjury and shall be punish-
able as such. The Commissioner and 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 at-
tempt 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 there-
of as they may deem proper, until their examination and in-
vestigation shall be completed. The Commissioner and deputy
shall also have authority to inspect public buildings, such as
schoolhouses, churches, opera houses, theatres, hospitals, asy-
lums, public halls, factories, hotels, apartment houses, and
other buildings of like character, and to compel the owner or
owners thereof, or the school board, board of governors, board
of managers, trustees, or other public official, body or board
having the supervision, management or control of any public,
private or parochial schoolhouse or institution, to provide
sufficient fire escapes or other means of exit as he shall direct
for the benefit and safety of the occupants of said buildings,
and the said Commissioner or his deputy shall give thirty days'
notice to the owner or owners, school board, board of gov-
ernors, board of managers, trustees, or other public official,
body or board having supervision, management or control of
such buildings to provide such fire escapes or other means of
exit as in his judgment shall be deemed necessary. Failure
or refusal of the said owner or owners, school board, board
of governors, board of managers, trustees, or other public
official, body or board having supervision, management or con-
trol of said buildings to comply with the said notice, shall be
deemed to be a misdemeanor, and the Commissioner or his
deputy is hereby authorized to close said building or buildings
and deny admission to all persons until his order or orders