Referees and auditors shall have power to administer oaths in all matters tried before them, and also power to compel witnesses to attend and give testimony under oath in matters tried before them, in the same manner and by a similar process as courts of record, and any summons for witnesses may be issued and signed by any referee or auditor, or by any clerk of court, notary public, or justice of the peace.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-15-18