A report done for the railroad commission said national costs might have topped $1 billion.
"We can even get the Railroad Commission to let us know what time a train comes through town."
He instead urged creation of a railroad commission in an effort to build a more efficient transportation system.
Attempts to establish a railroad commission in Texas began in 1876.
The next year he was President of the Railroad Commission.
Since then, according to records of the railroad commission, the disposal site has been under the control of six different operators.
As experience with public regulation grew, other common utilities were brought under the oversight of the Railroad Commission.
After five legislative failures, an amendment to the state constitution providing for a railroad commission was submitted to voters in 1890.
He was elected to the Railroad Commission in 1980 and was named chairman from 1985 to 1986.
He did, however, successfully secure the inclusion of the Railroad Commission in the new constitution.