In the discharge of their duties under this chapter any deputy, any appeals tribunal, any member of the board of appeals, and any officer of the Department of Labor authorized and designated by the secretary shall have power to administer oaths, certify to official acts, take and cause to be taken depositions of witnesses, issue and serve subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, and the production of papers, books, accounts, payrolls, documents, records, and testimony. In the event of failure of any person to comply with any subpoena lawfully issued, or on the refusal of any witness to produce evidence or to testify as to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated, it shall be the duty of any court of competent jurisdiction or of the judge thereof, upon the application of the secretary or any officer of the Department of Labor designated by the secretary, or any member of the board of appeals, to compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued for such court or a refusal to testify therein. Witness fees and other expenses involved in the proceedings under this article shall be paid to the extent necessary at rates specified by the secretary. Such expenses shall be deemed a part of the expense of administering this chapter.
Ala. Code § 25-4-97 (1975)