§ 478. Investigation of complaints by boards of managers. Whenever
the managers, directors or trustees of any asylum, hospital or other
charitable institution, the managers, directors or trustees of which are
appointed by the governor and senate, or by the legislature, shall deem
it necessary or proper to investigate and ascertain the truth of any
charge or complaint made or circulated respecting the conduct of the
superintendent, assistants, subordinate officers or servants, in
whatever capacity or duty employed by or under the official control of
any such managers, directors or trustees, it shall be lawful for the
presiding officer for the time being of any such managers, directors or
trustees, to administer oaths to all witnesses coming before them
respectively for examination, and to issue compulsory process for the
attendance of any witness within the state whom they may respectively
desire to examine, and for the production of all papers that any such
witness may possess, or have in his power, touching the matter of such
complaint or investigation; and wilful false swearing by any witness who
may be so examined is hereby declared to be perjury. A subpoena issued
under this section shall be regulated by the civil practice law and
rules.