Forty years ago in 1899 president mckinley could deal with the whole machinery of the executive branch through his eight cabinet secretaries and the heads of two commissions. . now, forty years later, not only do some thirty major agencies . . report directly to the president, but there are several quasi-judicial bodies which . . also see him. . it has become physically impossible for one man to see so many persons. how does this quote illustrate the need for the reorganization act of 1939? during the 1900s, the presidency became less powerful as the government grew. during the 1900s, the cabinet secretaries became more powerful. during the 1900s, it became impossible for the president to do his job without . during the 1900s, the growth of government made the presidency less important