Whenever any person duly subpenaed to appear and give evidence or to produce any books and papers before the board or a committee neglects or refuses to appear, or to produce any books and papers, as required by the subpena, or refuses to testify or to answer any questions which a majority of the body decides are proper and pertinent, he shall be deemed in contempt, and the chairman of the body shall report the fact to the judge of the superior court of the county.