Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1959

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Released June 19, 1959
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D . Go
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY 1959
Ctmsm&r
prices in United States cities increased 0.1 percent
between April and May 1959, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics® Most of the increase was the result of advances in costs of housing, apparel,
medical care, and personal care, although all major groups of goods and services were
higher. Prices of commodities were unchanged on the average, but services rose 0.3 percent. The Consumer Price Index at 124*0 percent of the 194-7-49 average reached a new
record high, 0.3 percent above the May 1958 level.

HOUSING

A rise of-0.1 percent in housing costs reflected advances in prices
of home repair and maintenance items, increased bills for gas and
electricity, and higher rates for insurance on houses 0 Residential rents were unchanged
on the average for the first time since February 1957. Higher charges for painting and
repair services were mainly responsible for the rise in home maintenance costs, although
there were some increases reported for paint, plumbing supplies, and lumber. The solid
fuels and fuel oil group index dropped 2.5 percent; prices of both coal and fuel oil were
seasonally lower. Housefuraishings prices declined 0.1 percent as traditional white sale
prices for household textiles more than offset higher prices for some furniture and
appliances© Household operation averaged unchanged with reductions in prices of laundry
soaps and detergents and some scattered advances in rates for laundry and dry cleaning
services®
APPAREL

Prices of all classes of apparel were higher in May,f led by an
advance of 0 o 3 percent for footwear, especially men s and children's
shoes. Prices of men's suits advanced, following earlier sales, and there were scattered
increases reported for summer suits,
Higher prices
1 slacks, work shirts, and work gloves©
were reported for women's and girls cotton dresses and nylon hose, but prices of women's
underwear and rayon dresses were lower.
FOOD

Average food prices, which had declined in eight of the past nine
months, increased 0.1 percent in May because of higher prices of
restaurant meals as well as seasonally higher prices for fresh fruits and vegetables
which largely offset reductions in egg and coffee prices. The food index at 117.7 was
3.2 percent lower than a year ago and 3*3 percent below the July 1953 peak.
Fruit and vegetable prices rose 1.6 percent over the month, with
prices of fresh fruits and vegetables up 2.5 percento Fresh fruits advanced 2 e 8 percent
as prices of oranges, bananas, grapefruit, and apples averaged 3 to 5 percent higher.
Strawberry prices, responding to more plentiful supplies, declined 14.0 percento Fresh
vegetable prices advanced 2.1 percent with potatoes up 13.1 percent, as supplies of last
year's crop dwindled and a smaller new crop began to reach the market. Prices of tomatoes
and celery averaged about 6£ percent higher. However, onion, lettuce, and green bean
prices were down 15*9 percent, 6 0 2 percent, and 6.0 percent, respectively. Canned fruit
and vegetable prices rose, largely because of continued increases in prices of canned
orange juice. All frozen fruits and vegetables registered decreases.
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased 0.1 percent as moderate
increases for most cuts of meat more than offset slightly lower prices of chickens and
fish.
Prices of cereals and bakery products increased 0.3 percent as bread
prices were up 0.3 percent and cook t $ 0.5 percent©




Restaurant me a. rices rose 0.3 percent.

2
Egg prices, decreasing for the eighth consecutive month, dropped
6.4- percent, much more than their usual seasonal decline, as supplies continued plentiful©
Coffee prices, declining for the 16th consecutive month, were down 2.9 percent* Dairy
products declined 0*3 percent as prices of most items were lower*
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The medical care group index rose 0*4 percent, primarily because of
increased fees for services of physicians* There were also some
increases in prices of prescriptions and drugs and in rates for

hospital services*
Transportation costs were up 0*1 percent, with higher prices for
used cars, auto repairs, and auto insurance* Prices were lower for gasoline, tires, and
new carso
A rise of 0©5 percent in personal care was due mainly to higher
prices for men's haircuts in several cities*
Higher prices for newspapers in Cleveland were largely responsible
for an increase of 0 o 1 percent for reading and recreation0 Mavie admission charges were
slightly lower* Other goods and services increased partly because of an additional
increase in cigarette taxes in New York City*




TABIC 1s Consumer P*ioe Index—Onited States city t v m g t
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, Hay 1959
and percent change* from selected dates

3

S

(1947H9 100 unless otherwise specified)

Itoroent change to May 1959 from —

Indexes
Group

May
1959

April
1959

April
1959

May
1958

Tear
1939

0.2

0.3

108.8

February
1959

124*0

123.9

0.1

FoodFood at hoasCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and f i s h — —
Dairy productsfruits and vegetablesOther foods at honeFood away from hone (Jan. 1953=100)

117.7
115.2
134.5
111.6
112.6
125.6
102.8
115.2

117.6
115.3
134.1
111.5
112.9
123.6
104.7
114.8

.1
- .1
.3
.1
- .3
1.6
- 1.8
.3

-

.4
.8
.5
- .9
- 1.2
3.6
- 4.9
1.0

- 3.2
- 4.4
1.3
- 4.3
.7
- 8.6
- 7.8
2.7

149.9
144.6
135.1
168.3
126.1
171.3
112.4
0/)

Housing £/-<
Rent
Gas and e l e c t r i c i t y Solid fuels and fuel oilHousefumishings—~
Household operation

128.8
139.3
118.7
135.3
103.7
133.8

128.7
139.3
118.2
138.7
103.8
133.8

.1
0
.4
- 2.5
- .1
0

.2
.2
.2
- 3.4
- .1
.5

.8
1.3
1.9
2.8
- .3
2.2

69.3
60.9
13.2
139.9
94.2
95.6

ApparelMen's and b o y s ' — —
tfaasn's and girls
FootwearOther apparel-

107.3
108.2
99.0
133.5
92.1

107.0
108.0
98.9
132.4
91.9

.3
.2
.1
.8
•2

.6
.4
.2
1.7
.4

.6
.6
.6
2.9
0

104.4
113.0
81.7
165.4
126.8

Transportation—
Private
Public-

145.4
134.5
192.7

145.3
134.4
192.6

.1
.1
.1

.8
.9
.5

4.8
5.1
3.5

107.1
105.3
137.0

Medical care-

150.2

149.6

.4

.8

4.5

106.9

Bsrsonal care-

130.7

130.0

.5

.7

1.7

119.3

Reading and recreation-

117.8

117.7

.1

.6

1.0

87.0

128.4

128.2

.2

.8

.9

81.9

127.3

127.1

.2

.5

1.8

84.2
119.5
124.6
128.4
149.9
100.2
105.8
91.7
96.7
143.7
(1/)
80.5

All items-

Other goods and servioes-

-

Special groups:
All items less f o o d All itestf less shelter

121.6

121.5

.1

CoMeoditiesHondurablesFood—
Nondurables less foodApparelNondurables less food and apparels
IXorables- • • •
•• , ,

115.9
117.4
117.7
117.5
107.2
126.3
112.7
138.9
92.3
103.4

115.9
117.4
117.6
117.5
107.0
126.6
112.6
139.0
91.8
103.3

0
0
.1
0
.2
- .2
.1
- .1
.5
.1

Used°cars (Jan. 1953=100)Durables less e a r s — — —

.2

.2

-

.1
.2
.4
.3
.5
.2

-

.8
3.5
.2

- .6
- 1.5
- 3.2
.9
.5
.9
2.7
6.2
13.5
- .2

Ccaiodities less food-

114.5

114.5

0

.3

1.4

92.8

ServioesRentServioes less rentHousehold operation serrioes, gas,
and electricityTransportation services
Medical oare s e r v i c e s — — — —
Other services 2/--

145.2
139.3
146.9

144.8
139.3
146.4

.3
0
.3

.7
.2
.8

2.0
1.3
2.2

80.6
60.9
99.9

134.1
179.7
155.8
131.2

133.9
179.1
155.2
130.6

.1
.3
.4
.5

.6
.8
1.2
.9

2.4
3.5
5.1
.8

54.1
124.3
121.0
125.0

$0,806

$0,807

- .1

.4

-52.1

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=$1.00)

-

.2

-

1/ Hot available.
2/ Includes house purchase, Interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
y Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep servicesj shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop servioes, and movies.




TABIC 2 s Conswer Prioe Index—All items Index* 8 and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

4

Peroexrt change to
current •oath from

Indexes (1947-49=100)
City
United States city average-

Tear
1939

May
1959

Feb*
1959

May
1958

124*0

123.7

123.6

59.4

127.4
123.4
126.8
122.1
123.2

127.1
123.3
126.7
121.7
123.3

127.0
124.3
125.2
121.1
122.9

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

1959

Feb.
1959

1958

125*3
124.1
120.0
127.9
121.8

124.8
124.1
120.3
126.9
121.3

Apr.
1959

Feb.
1959

May

1958

0.2

0.3

Cities prioed monthly l/
ChicagoDetroit
Los AngelesHev YorkPhiladelphia-

.1

.3
.7
1.3
.8
.2

Tear
1939

Feb.
1959

May
1958

125.0
123.7
120.7
126.1
121.3

$9.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

.4

0
.2
.8
.4

1.4
.4

Jan.
1959

Apr.
1958

Tear
1939

Jan.
1959

Apr.
1958

125.1
125.5
125.1
124.5
125.3

125.4
124.5
125.3
124.4
124.2

124.5
123.7
124.1
123.8
125.0

61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

61.0

.2
.8
.2
.1

.5
1.5

Mar.
1959

Dec.
1958

Mar.
1958

Year
1939

Dec.
1958

124.3
126.4
122.2
126.0
129.0

124.4
125.5
122.4
125.7
127.9

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5
126.7

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

.1
.7
.2
.2

Cities prioed in February, May,
August, November £/
Cleveland.
Houston—
ScrantonSeattle—
Washington, D.C.Cities prioed in January, April,
July, October 2 /
BostonKansas CityMlnneapolisPittsburghPortland, Oregon
Cities prioed in March, June,
September, December g/
AtlantaBaltimoreCindnnatiSt. LouisSan Francisco-

.2

.1
.1

.3

117.4
109.2
109.9
103.2
108.1

.2
.6

.3

.8
.6
.2

.9

Ifer.
1958

.5
1.9

.1

1.2

1.8

.9

Jj Rents prioed bimonthly.
2/ Foods, fuels, aid a few other items prioed monthly; rents and other oomoditiSs and services prioed quarterly.

TABIE 3 s Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from April 1959 to May 1959
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All iteos and commodity groups

City

All
items

Ubited States city averageChicago———————
Detroit
Los Angeles" ' •••.••••• ••••••••i
Hev York
•
Philadelphia
-




Food
0.1

0.1
0
.1
.2
.1
.3

Housing

-

0
.3
.2
.3
.7

-

Apparel

0.1

0.3

.2
.1
.4
.1
.2

.5
.1
•4
0
.3

-

Transportation

-

Reading
Medical Personal
and
care
care
recreation

0.1

0.4

0.5

0.1

.3
.4
.4
.1
.9

.1
0
.1
1.7
0

3.6
.2
.1
•2
.2

0
.1
- 1.1
- .2
-2.4

Other
goods &
servioes
0.2
-

.2
0
*>1
1.2
- .2

TABIS 4* Consumer Prioe Index—All items and oomoiiity groups
>fay 1959 indexes and percent changes, February 1959 to Ifay 1959
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in fey 1959
U.S.
City
CleveLoe
Average Chicago land
Detroit Houston Angeles

Group

Hev
York

*

Philatfeahingt
delphia Soranton Seattle D . C.

Indexes (19^7-^9-100)
All items

*

124*0

127.4

125.3

123.4

124.1

126.8

122.1

123.2

120.0

127.9

121.8

! 117.7
— 115.2
— 134.5
— 111.6
— 112.6
— 125.6
102.8

115.2
112.5
130.1
104.6
113.3
122.2
107.5

114.1
111.6
128.9
105.7
110.2
118.7
104.8

116.9
114.3
124.6
108.0
107.6
134.3
102.7

114.6
112.2
125.5
106.9
113.2
124.1
101.6

122.9
118.2
146.2
112.1
111.1
131.1
105.5

119.2
116.4
142.5
114.4
114.0
120.9
102.5

119.3
116.2
138.2
111.8
116.2
124.3
100.8

114.8
113.9
135.9
111.9
110.4
121.3
99.0

120.7
118.8
146.8
114.2
117.3
130.2
102.5

118.5
115.8
132.1
110.5
117.5
123.3
104.6

128.8
139.3
118.7
135.3
103.7
133.8

138.7
165.0
129.3
139.8
100.7
136.7

130.1
159.8
116.1
135.2
100.0
125.1

127.2

130.0
139.4
116.6

135.8
147.0
131.1

126.0

117.5
126.9
108.7
122.9

101.3
142.3

101.7
123.3

10U1

122.5
128.5
105.3
126.3
108.1

132.3

136*0

122.9
131.4
120.7
136.9
100.0
117.6

133.0
148.0
86.7
142.7
104.9
138.6

121.2
129.2
134.8
139.3
100.1
132.9

—

107.3
108.2
99.0
133.5
92.1

109.9
113.4
99.0
136.6
95.9

109.6
113.5
100.6
129.8
95.2

104.9
108.2
95.0
129.5
85.4

112.1
106.0
108.3
140.1
91.4

108.7
110.7
100.4
135.3
84.8

106.0
108.1
96.1
134.3
95.8

104.9
108.1
94.3
134.0
92.5

110.0
110.1
102.6
137.7
93.7

109.0
111.9
99.5
138.0
86.9

104.8
108.1
96.8
128.2
89.8

Transportation — — — » — — — —
P r i v a t e — — — — — — — — —
Public

145.4
134.5
192.7

154.3
136.1
196.9

139.7
130.5
181.9

137.8
133.8
157.3

143.8
137.4
188.0

142.0
138.2
162.1

145.9
127.0
191.4

152.6
132.4
193.4

144.9
131.3
191.9

148.8
137.5
180.1

143.7
135.9
172.4

— ' 150.2
130.7
— 117.8
128.4

158.6
136.2
122.4

167.2

157.8
133.9
114.1
135.7

135.5
137.4
116.6
129.3

146.5
134.2
102.1
124.2

139*9
123.0
119.9
131.7

152.2
135.2
119.9

127.9
136.5
145.8
119.6

149.6
141.4
119.3
138.1

149.9
125.9
121.0
136.3

- 0.1

- 0.2

0.8

0.4

-

1.2
1.6
.4
1.8
2.4
2.5
- 5.1

- .9
- 1.2
.2
- 1.5
- 2.6
4.8
- 5.4

.7
.4
.9
.6
1.6
3.2
- 3.3

.3
.4
0
- 1.9
- .1
5.8
-3.9

.2

- .3
.2
2.5
- 7.0
- .7
.5

.8
.3
0
3.0
.3
- .1

.2
.6
3.2
-6.9
.2

- .1
0
.8
1.3
1.7

1.3
.7
1.2
2.5
.9

1.0
.3
1.3
1.7
.6

Food
Food at hone
— — —
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish —
Dairy products
— — —
Fruits and vegetables
—
Other foods at hone

Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Housefurnishings — — — — — - —
Household operation
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'

—

Other apparel - —

Medical care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

120.9

128.0

130.1
130.0

—

_

—

—

115.5
140.4

128.0

Percent change from February 1959 to May 1959
All items
Food
Food at kerne — — — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — — — — —
Fruits and vegetables
—
Other foods at hone

—
—
—
—
—

lousing
Rent
— — — — — — — —
Gas and electricity
— — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
loosefurnishings
.—
Household operation — — — — — —
Men' s and boys'
—
—
Women's and girls'
—
—
Footwear
—
—
—
—
Other apparel
—
—

—
—
—
—

transportation
Private
Public
Medical care
Personal care - —
Reading and recreation
Other goeds and services

— .

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.1

.4
.8
.5
- .9
- 1.2
3.6
- 4.9

0
- .1
5.7
- .6
.4
2.2
- 5.1

- .2
- .3
- .2
- .4
- .1
6.6
- 5.4

- .7
- .8
- .4
- .1
- 1.3
3.5
- 5.3

.1

- .1
.1
0
- 4.6
- 1.6
2.2

-

.2
.2
.2
- 3.4
- .1
.5
.6
.4

.2

1.7
.4

0.3

1.2
1.8
.5
1.5
.4
.6
4.9

- .7
- 1.3
.2
- .7
.5
- 1.2
- 4.2

- .6
- 1.0
0
- .6
- 3.4
2.6
- 3.5

-

.2
- .1
0

1/

.2
.2
.3

1.8
- .1

-

.4
.2

0

.3
1.3
.4

.3
0
.3
.9
0

- .4
1.3
- 2.3
1.1
2.8

1.5
1.9
0

1.3
1.5
0

.8
.9
0

1.0
1.3
0

1.7
1.5
2.4

.6
.7
0

.3
.3
0

- .1
- .1
0

.3
0
.4
.1

1.4
.8
- .1
.1

.3
.8
.1
.2

1.9
.1
- .2
3.8

1.8
- .4
- .1
- .4

.1
2.7
1.2
.1

.1
6.0
.7
1.7

1.2
.5
2.9
.1

- 3.5
- .1
1.9

0

-

0.1

.7
0
- .7
1.7

0
.2

.2
.8
1.3

.5

-

0
.1
0

.1
.2
0

08
.7
.6
.8

1.8
4.8
- .6

- .2

- .2

.3
—

.2

.8
.9
.5

1/ Change from ferch 1959 to Ifcy 1959.




V

-

0

.7

4.1
2.0

-

—

-

-

.6
.1
.8
1.7
•4

.4

—

- .1
- 5.0
.1
- .1
-

.1
.1
.4
1.8
0

1/ .3

1.8
- 9.7
- .3
1.7
.1

0

-

.4
1.4
.1

-

1.0

TABUS 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
May 1959 indexes and percent changes, April 1959 to May 1959
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

(JL9VM9-10CQ

Total
food at home

food
City

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Cereals and
bakery products
Index

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Percent
change

Index

Dairy
products

Percent
change

Fruits and
vegetables

Index

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Other
foods at home
Percent
change

Index

U.S. city average

— 117.7

0.1

115.2

-0.1

131*.5

0.3

111.6

0.1

112.6

-0.3

125.6

1.6

102.8

-1.8

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
—
Chicago
Cincinnati —
Cleveland
Detroit
•ouston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

— 115.6
117.0
— 117.5
115.2
117.7

- .1

113.8

126.0

.1*

- .6

127.7
120.2
122.8
122.2
125.6
118.7
131*. 3
121*.1
115.1
131.1

97.9
101.1
99.6
107.5
101*.8
101*. 8
102.7
101.6
95.9
105.5

-1.8

111.1

0
.2
-1.3
- .1
- .1*
- .1
- .5
- .3
0
.2

1.6

113.6
lll*.2
112.5
111*. 8
111.6
111* .3
112.2
108.6
118.2

113.8
110.3
112.9
IOU.6
110.6
105.7
108.0
106.9
106.3
112.1

113.8

-

-

107.6
lllul*
111.8
110.9
111*. 7
105.8
116.8
111.9
111*. 2

0
.5

101*. 7
ll!*.0
116.2
lll*.l*
117.2
105.7
115.1*
110.1*
117.3
117.5

- .1
-1.0
0
- .1
- .1
.1
0
- .1
1.1
0

129.6
120.9
121*.3
129.3
123.1*
133.8
133.1*
121.3
130.2
123.3

109.0

-1.2
-2.5
-2.2
-2.6
- .2
-1.2
-1.6

—

11U.1
116.9
llli. 6

— — — 111.5
122.9

Minneapolis
lev York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg. —
St. Louis
-8an Francisco
Bcr&nton
Seattle
—
Washington, D.C. -

-

.3
.2
0
.3
.2
.3

-

.1

- .1
- .2

117.5
119.2
119.3
119 .1*
120.0
118.7
122.3

-

.5
.3
.7

.6
.7
0
.1
.3
.1*
0

111*.8

120.7
118.5

TABLE 6:

111*. 3
116.1*
116.2
117.6
117.7
113.9

120.0

* Priced only in season.




-

.1*

- .6
-

-

.3
.9
.6
.7
.1
.1

.2
.3
0

May 1959

~

128.8
132.2
130.1
133.3
128.9
121*. 6
125.5
127.1*
11*6.2
131*. 6
11*2.5
138.2
132.6

11*0.1*

.2

-

- .2
.2
.1

.1
.6
-

121*. 7

11*7.0
135.9
11*6.8
132.1

.2
.5
.1
0
.5

-

-

.1*
.2
0
.2
.1
0
.1
.1

110.5

117.1
109.5
113.3

-1.3

.2

-

.2
0
.1
.1*
.2
.9
.9

112.0
110.2
107.6
113.2
107.9

-1.8
.3
.3

- .6
.5

- .6
.1*
-1.5

3.1
i*.2

1.0

1.2
2.9
.1*
-1.1*
- .3
-1.9
-2.0
.2

.6

6.6
3.5
1.3

.8

5.1*
1.1*
3.1*

102.5

100.8
111.1*
106.1
110.2
103.6
99.0
102.5
101*. 6

-2.2
-1.1*
-1.2
-3.0
-3.0
-1.6

- .8
-1.3
-1.0

-2.1*
-1.2
- .9

Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit

—

- .1

113.9
118.8
115.8

Cereals and bakery products;
Flour., wheat — — — — — - 5 ib.
Biscuit nix — - — — — — —
20 oz.
Corn seal
— — —
ib.
Rice —
———
—
— ib.
Rolled oats
— —
18 o z .
Corn flakes - - - - - — —
12 oz.
Bread, white — — — —
ib.
Soda crackers — — — - —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — — — — 7 oz.
Heats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak - — - — — - •
Chuck roast
— — .
Rib roast
Hamburger — — — - — — —
Veal cutlets — —
Pork chops, center cut
Bacon, sliced - - — — - - •
Ham, whole — — — — <
Leunb, leg
——
Frankfurters — — — •
Luncheon meat, canned
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen —
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen — — — lb.
Salmon, pink, canned — — — — — ie oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — — — a to 6£ oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
Ice cream — — — — — — — — —
Butter
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated — — — — — Mi-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — a oz.
Peas, green — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — — — —
9 oz.
Fresh:
Apples —
ib.
Bananas — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges^ size 200 — — — — — doz.
Grapefruit *

.3
.3
.3
0
- .5
- .2
- .3
- .1*

saoh

April 1959
Cents
5U.9

26.8

12.9
18.5
20 .1*

25.6
19.6
29.2

2it.li

107.7
65.7
83.1
55.3

11*3.0
85.5
68.8

107.7

61*.8

82.9
55.0
llii.5

81*.0
68.1*

62.7
76.5

63.1
75.2

51.3

51.5
1*2.7
1*7.9

61*.2
1*2.1
1*7.5
59.2

61.2

33. h

23.6

6b .8

60.6

61.1

33.5
23.7

2l*.8

21*.9

58.1

29.7
7l*.l*
58.0

29.7
71* .1

15.2
25.7
2l*.7

15.2
26.1

21*.8

22.7

20.0
22.8

I5.lt
17.0

11* .9
16.3

19.8

65.2

lfi.i*
12.3

62.1
18.7
11.8

Food and unit
F r e s h — Continued
Peaches * — — — — — —
ib.
Strawberries • — — — — —
t.
p
Grapes, seedless * — — — - — — ib.
Watermelons * —
« — — ib.
Potatoes — — — — — — 10 ib.
Sweetpot&toes — — — — —
ib.
Onions —

—

Carrots —
Lettuce -

—

—

—

-

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—
—

ib.

ib.

head

Celery — — — — — — — —
ib.
Cabbage — — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes — — — — —
ib.
6eans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — — 46-oz. can
Peaches — —
— #24 can
Pineapple — — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail — — — — — #303 can
Corn, cream style — — — #303 can
Peas, green — — — — —
#303 can
Tomatoes — - —

#303 can

Baby foods — — —
4& to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — — — — — — ib.
Beans — — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Other foods at home:
Tomato SOUp ••••-••
to ll-oz. can
Beans with pork — — — —
ia-oz. can
Pickles, sliced — — — — — 15 0z.
Catsup, tomato —
14 oz.
Coffee — — — — — — lb. nan
Coffee — — — — — — — —
lb. bag
Tea bags — — — — — —
Pkg. of id
Cola drink, carton — — —
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — —
ib.
Lard — — — — — — — —
ib.
Salad dressing —
—
—
—
.
pt
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Sugar — — — — — — — — —
5 ib.
Corn syrup — — — — — —
24 oz.
Grape jelly — — — — —
12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — — —
1 Gz.
Eggs, Grade A , large
doz.
Gelatin, flavored — — — - 3 to 4 oz.

May 1959

April 1959

Cents

Cents

29.8

31*.7

63.1
11*.2

55.8

11*.2

ll*.l
11*.6

13.1
9.1
3U.1*

28.0

1*9.0
36.3

36.1
27.9
19.5
20.?

11*.1
16.9
l!*.l
15.5
12.3
8.9
32.3

29.8

1*7.9

36.1*
36.1
27.9
19.1*

20.8

15.7

15.6

1*0.0
17.3

39.9
17.3

12.5

12.6

15.1
26.5

15.1

10.1

22.6
77.2
57.9

10.1

26.6

22.7

78.1
61.5

21*.2

21*.1

29.1*

29.1*

88.0

27.8
20.1
37.8

55.8
56.6
26.1*

28.2

5.1
1*5.0
9.3

88.8
28.0

20.1*
37.9
55.9
56.7

26.1*
28.3
5.1

1*8.0
9.2

Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332

7
Prttf SKlflMttttffl Pf

Qf J

The Consumer Prioe Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers* It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes would
represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical
families; they include all of the important items in family spending* Prices for these
items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling
stations, and other types of stores and service establishments w h i c h wage-earner and
clerical-worker families patronize*
Prices of food8, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 1months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending* City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49=100*
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-si zed and small cities s
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ghio
Charleston, V* Virginia
Bvansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N* Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W* Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyoming
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ghio

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another* The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities.
A description of the 11index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer
Price Index: A Layman's Guide, which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U* S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical
description of the index
appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
n
Statistical Series* Reprints of chapter 9, pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices*
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All
Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of
goods and* services from 1935 to date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. E*
Zone 9




New York
341 Ninth Ave*
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St*
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St*
Zone 11
LABOR - D* C*

Boston
18 Oliver St*
Zone 10