Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 52.djvu/869

 828 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 556-JUNE 21, 1938 [52 STAT. INVESTIGATIONS BY COMMISSION; ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES; DEPOSITIONS nvmstigotions by SE. 14 . (a) The Commission may investigate any facts, condi- Violations of Act, tions, practices, or matters which it may find necessary or proper in etc. order to determine whether any person has violated or is about to vio- late any provision of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order there- under, or to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act or in prescribing rules or regulations thereunder, or in obtaining informa- tion to serve as a basis for recommending further legislation to the Writte statements Congress. The Commission may permit any person to file with it a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise, as it shall determine, as to any or all facts and circumstances concerning a matter which may 49Stt be the subject of investigation. The Commission, in its discretion, I6U.s. c ., supp. may publish in the manner authorized by section 312 of the Federal III, 825k. Power Act, and make available to State commissions and municipal- ities, information concerning any such matter. tion O adequaer- (b) The Commission may, after hearing, determine the adequacy or inadequacy. or inadequacy of the gas reserves held or controlled by any natural-gas company, or by anyone on its behalf, including its owned or leased properties or royalty contracts; and may also, after hearing, determine the propriety and reasonableness of the inclusion in operating expenses, capital, or surplus of all delay rentals or other forms of rental or compensation for unoperated lands and leases. For the purpose of such determinations, the Commission may require any natural-gas company to file with the Commission true copies of all its lease and royalty agreements with respect to such gas reserves. Evidence. For the purpose of any investigation or any other proceeding under this Act, any member of the Commission, or any officer desig- nated by it, is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, sub- nesses, etc. f it- pena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records which the Commission finds relevant or material to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States or at any designated place of hearing. Witnesses summoned by the Commission to appear before it shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States. Contumacy, etc. (d) In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, the Commission may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investiga- tion or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, mem- Courtorders. oranda, contracts, agreements, and other records. Such court may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Commission or member or officer designated by the Commission, there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt Serviceofprocess. thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial district whereof such person is an inhabitant or wherever he may Pentyprovision be found or may be doing business. Any person who willfully shall fail or refuse to attend and testify or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records, if in his or its power so to do, in obedi- ence to the subpena of the Commission, shall be guilty of a misde- meanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more

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