If a witness, after being duly summoned, fails or refuses to attend, or to answer any question propounded to such witness, which such witness would be required to answer if in court, the department of transportation shall have power to fine and imprison such witness for contempt in the same manner that the judge of any court of competent jurisdiction might do under similar circumstances.

[Acts 1897, ch. 10, § 10; Shan., § 3059a32; Code 1932, § 5408; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 65-317; Acts 1995, ch. 305, § 10.]