The assignee may send for persons and papers and examine, on oath which he may administer, any persons, including the creditors and assignor, respecting the affairs, transactions and assets of the assignor, his debts, credits, obligations, contracts, and liabilities and claims asserted against the assignor.
If any person shall refuse to be sworn or to answer the questions put to him, or refuse to declare the whole truth touching the subject matter of the examination, the court may, on report by the assignee, commit such person to prison, to remain until he shall have submitted himself to be examined and have paid all the costs of the proceedings against him.