§155 Authority of Registrar in Obtaining Evidence

Summary

The registrar may require people to come and bring books, papers, or other evidence by issuing subpoenas. He can do this for hearings in China or, if a witness lives or is staying outside China, at a hearing within fifty miles of that person. He can also order depositions taken before someone who can swear people in. Deposition testimony must be written down and signed by the witness. The registrar, or a U.S. officer he authorizes, can take oaths and question witnesses. Witnesses get the same fees and travel pay as in U.S. courts. If someone ignores a subpoena or refuses to cooperate, the registrar can ask a Federal district court to force compliance. The court can order the person to testify and punish refusals as contempt. The registrar or an authorized U.S. officer may also inspect and copy any books, records, papers, or letters of a China Trade Act corporation at reasonable times. Anyone who refuses or blocks this can be fined up to $5,000 for each offense, and that fine can be collected in a civil suit brought in the name of the United States.