The public utilities commission may, either through the public utilities commissioners or by inspectors or employees authorized by it, examine under oath, at any time and for assisting the commission in the performance of any powers or duties of the commission, any officer, agent, or employee of any public utility or railroad or any other person, in relation to the business and affairs of such public utility or railroad and may compel the attendance of such witness for the purpose of such examination. In case of disobedience on the part of any person of any order relating to the production or examination of books, contracts, records, documents, and papers, or in case of the refusal of any person to testify to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated by any such member, employee, or inspector of the commission at any time or place, the court of common pleas of any county or any judge thereof, shall, on application of any commissioner, compel obedience by contempt proceedings as in the case of the disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from such court or a refusal to testify therein.
Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .