Why did businesses in the 1920s feel that they did not need to increase their workers' wages despite high profits? Why did businesses in the 1920s feel that they did not need to increase their workers' wages despite high profits? There wasn't anything for workers to spend money on. There were so few jobs that people would do anything to keep them. Waves of immigration meant that labor was plentiful. Workers were being paid enough to make a living and afford a few luxuries