1136 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 552

counts, records, papers and correspondence relating to any
matter which the Attorney-General is authorized by this Act
to consider or investigate. The Attorney-General, or his duly
authorized assistant, may sign subpoenas, administer oaths and
affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence. In case
of disobedience to a subpoena or of the contumacy of any
witness appearing before the 'Attorney-General or his duly
authorized Assistant-Attorney-General, the Attorney-General
may invoke the aid of the Circuit Court of any of the Counties
of the State of Maryland, or of the Superior Court of Balti-
more City. Such Court may thereupon issue an order re-
quiring the person subpoenaed to obey the subpoena or to give
evidence or produce books, accounts, records, papers and cor-
respondence touching the matter in question. Any failure to
obey such order of the Court may be punished by such Court
as a contempt thereof. In the case of a failure or refusal of
any person, partnership or corporation concerned in the issu-
ance, sale, offer for sale, promotion, advertisement or distribu-
tion of any stocks, bonds, notes or other securities within the
State of Maryland, to file any statement or to furnish any
information, books, papers or records required by the Attorney-
General or his duly authorized Assistant, to be filed or fur-
nished in connection with such investigation under this Act,
the Attorney-General may issue his order under Section 12
of this Act.

SEC. 12. The Attorney-General may, upon evidence satis-
factory to him, that in the issue, sale, promotion, negotiation,
advertisement of or distribution of any stock, bonds, notes or
other securities within the State of Maryland, any person,
partnership or corporation is employing or is about to employ
any device, scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining
money or property by means of any false or fraudulent pre-
tense, representation or promise, issue and cause to be served
upon such person, partnership or corporation an order re-
. quiring the party guilty thereof to cease and desist therefrom.
If it shall appear to the Attorney-General that an irreparable
public injury is imminent, unless such order is issued before
a full investigation can be made pending such investigation,
he may issue such order, but the same shall be accompanied
with a request for information as to the facts relied on in
issuing the order, and such temporary order shall only remain
in force until such information is furnished and two davs