Complex sentence: Originally the president was to have been in the scene as well, but this was changed because it "took away the power of Mrs. Landingham and Ziegler"; it was felt that the scene would be more powerful without the looming presence of the president.
Split into simpler sentences: Originally the president was supposed to have been in the scene as well, but this was changed because it "took away the power of Mrs. Landingham and Ziegler". It was felt that the scene would be more powerful without the looming presence of the president.