You don't understand the meaning of the word technical yourself? I do; yes, sir. Why do you want me to explain it? Because I wanted to understand. Witness testified that he had been handling engines off and on ever since he had been on the road. Q. What you mean is you jumped on; would go on when the regular engineer in charge was there? A. Yes, sir. And the fireman in charge was there? I run the engine a certain distance. You were allowed to handle it in their presence, just as many others are allowed? Yes, sir. Do you mean to tell this Commission, on your oath, that in that way you acquired sufficient knowledge to make you a competent engineer? That is the way, from what I understand, to learn to be an engineer. The way they all get to be engineers. You say you were examined to some extent. Were you not examined as thoroughly as all other men were examined? I don't know how other men were examined. How did you come to say you were examined to some extent? What do you mean by that? I mean to the extent that I was able to answer the questions. You were only examined to that extent you were able to answer, and you were not examined as to those you were not able to answer? I don't know if there were any questions I was not to answer or not; I answered all the questions. You used that expression, you were examined to some extent. I want to know what you mean by that? I answered all the questions that were asked me. Do you mean to say that all questions were asked you which are equally asked applicants for employment as engineers? I do not. Was anyone else examined at the same time you were? There was not. Who was present when you were being examined? Anyone but the Board? No; there was not. No one but the Board of Examiners? No. Where were you examined? The principal place was in the building where the general officers are. Were you examined more than once? I was instructed another time. I asked you about examinations? No, sir, not on an engine. How long did your examination take? I could not tell that. How many questions were you asked? I could not say; I did not count them. Have you no idea without counting them? I answered more questions--I asked and answered more questions than was asked me. You examined yourself, practically, did you? The Board was there to hear it. The Board was there to hear you examine yourself--asking questions and answering them? Those I did not thoroughly understand were questions I asked, and then I answered my way, and if I was not right, then I was instructed. And upon that instruction which you got at that time you were employed as an engineer on the road? Oh, no; this is since.