THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1759

purpose contemplated by this article, have power to issue
subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, administer
oaths, certify to official acts, take depositions within or with-
out the State of Maryland as now provided by law, compel
the production of pertinent books, payrolls, accounts, papers,
records, documents and testimony. Upon request of any
party to proceedings before the Commission, the Commission
shall issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses
and compel the production of pertinent books, payrolls, ac-
counts, papers, records, documents and testimony at hear-
ings before the Commission and at depositions to be taken
by such party. Any such party shall have the right to take
depositions within or without the State of Maryland as now
provided by Law.

(b) If a person in attendance before the Commission or a
Commissioner refuse, without reasonable cause, to be ex-
amined or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to
produce a book or paper when ordered to do so by the Com-
mission, the Commission may, and, upon request of any party
to proceedings before the Commission, shall apply to any
Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City, or of the
Circuit Court of any County, upon proof by affidavit of the
fact, for a rule or order returnable in not less than two or
more than five days, directing such person to show cause be-
fore the Judge who made the order, or any other Judge afore-
said, why he should not be committed to jail; upon the return
of such order, the Judge before whom the matter and such
person shall come on for a hearing shall examine under oath
such person and such person shall be given an opportunity
to be heard; and if the Judge shall determine that such per-
son has refused, without reasonable cause or legal excuse, to
be examined or to answer a legal or pertinent question, or to
produce a book or paper which he was ordered to bring or
produce, he may forthwith commit the offender to jail, there
to remain until he submits to do the act which he was so
required to do, or is discharged according to law.

(c) No person shall be excused from testifying or from pro-
ducing any books or papers or documents in any investiga-
tion or inquiry by or upon any hearing before the Commis-
sion OR ANY COMMISSIONER, WHEN ORDERED TO DO
SO BY THE COMMISSION or its Secretary, upon the ground
that the testimony or evidence, books, papers, or documents
required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to
penalty or forfeiture; but no person shall be prosecuted, pun-
ished or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on ac-
count of any act, transaction, matter or thing concerning
which he shall, under oath, have, by order of the Commission