Full text of Changes in Retail Prices of Gas, 1923-36 : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 628

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Frances P erk in s, Secretary
B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S
Isador L u b in , Commissioner

+

Changes in
R etail Prices o f Gas
1 9 2 3 -3 6

Prepared by
RETAIL PRICE DIVISION
S T E L L A S T E W A R T , C hief

Bulletin ?v£o. 628
February 1937

U N IT E D S T A T E S
G O V E R N M E N T P R I N T I N G O FFIC E
W A S H I N G T O N : 1937

F o r Sale b y t h e S u p erin ten d en t o f D oc u m e n ts, W a sh in g ton , D . C.




P rice 10 cen ts




CONTENTS
P age

In troduction________________________________________________________________________

1

C om p u tation of indexes:
C ities___________________________________________________________________________

1

Prices___________________________________________________________________________

2

C ity indexes___________________________________________________________________
Indexes for 50 cities com bined______________________________________________

6
7

Subindexes, b y kind of gas__________________________________________________
H istory of collection and publication of retail prices of gas, 1 9 0 7 -3 6 :

10

General_________________________________________________________________________
Prices for the first one thousand cubic feet of gas________________________
Prices of gas based on average fam ily consum ption---------------------------------

48
50
51

Prices of gas for specified dom estic services_______________________________

51

T a b le s
T able

1.— M anufactured and natural gas for dom estic use— total sales
and revenue, and average consum ption and price per cus­
tom er_______________________________________________________________

T able

3

2.— British therm al per cubic foot of gas, b y cities, arrayed in
descending order with kind of gas used and price per therm
based upon consum ption of 10.6 therm s and 30 .6 therms as
of June 1 9 3 6 _______________________________________________________
Service charges for 50 cities in M arch 1923 and June 1926
applicable to consum ption of 10.6 therm s_____________________
Indexes of retail prices of gas for 50 cities com bined, M arch
1923 to June 1936, inclusive____________________________________
W eigh tin g factors for indexes of retail prices of gas for 50
cities com bined_______________________________________________________
Indexes of retail prices of m anufactured gas, M arch 1923 (40
cities) to June 1936 (25 cities)__________________________________
W eigh tin g factors for indexes of m anufactured gas_____________
Indexes of retail prices of natural gas, M arch 1923 (7 cities)

T able

3.—

T able

4.—

T able

5.—

T able

6.—

T able
T able

7.—
8.—

T able

to June 1936 (18 cities)_____________________________________________
9.— W eigh tin g factors for indexes of natural gas____________________

T a b l e 10.— Indexes of retail prices of natural gas for 6 identical cities____

4
5
8
9
11
13
14
15
16

T a b l e 11.— Indexes of retail prices of m ixed gas, M arch 1923 (3 cities) to
June 1936 (7 cities)__________________________________________________
T a b l e 12.— W eigh tin g factors for indexes of m ixed gas______________________

17
18

T a b l e 13.— Indexes of retail prices of gas b y cities, M arch 1926 to June
1936, inclusive, with explanations of changes beginning
with M arch 1 9 2 3 _____________________________________________________
T a b l e 14.— Sum m arized data used in the com putation of retail prices of
gas, b y com panies, M arch 1923 to June 1 9 3 6________________
T a b l e 15.— Frequency of collection of dom estic rate schedules for gas,
1 9 0 7 - 3 6 .____________________________________




h i

20
37

CONTENTS

IV

Page
T a b l e 16.— T o t a l n u m b e r o f r e p o r t in g c itie s ; n u m b e r r e p o r t in g f o r m a n u ­
fa c t u r e d , n a tu r a l, a n d m ix e d m a n u fa c t u r e d g as, a n d n u m ­
b e r r e p o r t in g m o r e th a n o n e k in d o f gas, 1 9 0 7 -3 6 ___________

49

T a b l e 17.— R e c o r d o f p u b lic a t io n o f p r ic e s o f g a s f o r d o m e s t ic c o n s u m p ­
t i o n f o r e a c h series, 1 9 0 7 -3 6 _____________________________________

60

Charts
R e t a il p r ic e s o f g a s, 50 c itie s c o m b in e d , M a r c h 1923 t o J u n e 19 36 , in c l u s iv e .

vi

D is t r ib u t io n o f 5 0 c itie s a c c o r d in g t o k in d o f g as u sed , 1 9 2 3 -3 6 ____________

9

R e t a il p r ic e s o f m a n u fa c tu r e d , n a tu r a l, a n d m ix e d g as, M a r c h

1923 t o

J u n e 19 36 , in c lu s iv e _____________________________________________________________




10

PREFACE

Gas is used by m ost American families primarily for cooking and
often for water heating. Its Use for house heating is increasing from
year to year. In urban communities its use is almost universal. It
is an important item in the cost of living of wage earners' families.
Consequently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been collecting data
on the price of gas at retail for many years.
Since domestic gas is not a standardized commodity, one of the
tasks of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been to devise a method
for computing prices of gas for residential use in each of the reporting
cities upon idential heat requirements. After many years of effort,
and in cooperation with utility engineers and qualified experts in the
Federal service, such a method was devised and introduced in the
Bureau's publications in 1935.
Indexes have been computed for each of the 50 cities reporting to
the Bureau and for these cities combined for quarterly periods, from
M arch 1923 to June 1936, inclusive. These indexes cover each of two
heat requirements, 10.6 therms, typical of the use of gas for cooking,
and 30.6 therms, typical of its use for both cooking and automatic
water heating. They will be published quarterly hereafter in the
Bureau's pamphlet entitled “ Retail Prices."
The Bureau takes this opportunity to express its appreciation of
the cooperation which it has received from the utility companies in
cities for which it has received domestic rate schedules over a long
period of years. Their schedules have provided the primary data for
the computation of the indexes.
Plans for the indexes were reviewed by qualified experts in the
United States Bureau of Standards, the Bureau of M ines, the Federal
Trade Commission and the Central Statistical Board. Special men­
tion should be made of the cooperation of M r. Paul Ryan, Chief
Statistician of the American Gas Association. Comments and sug­
gestions made by these experts have materially increased the useful­
ness of the data.
This bulletin was prepared in the Retail Price Division, under the
direction of Stella Stewart, Chief of the Division. M ajor contribu­
tions to both the statistical and textual material were made by Ruth
J. Powers and Ethel D . Hoover. The assistance of Gertrude Craven
and Isabel R . Smiley is also acknowledged.

I sador L u b in ,

Commissioner of Labor Statistics .
N ovem ber 1936.




v




Retail Prices or Gas
50 C ities Com bined

US. BUREAU OFLABOR STATISTICS

Bulletin Js[o. 628 of the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
Changes in Retail Prices o f Gas, 1923^36
Introduction
Retail prices of gas for residential use have been computed by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics for 25 years. These computations have,
since 1913, included 50 representative and widely scattered cities.
Great changes in the rate schedules have been brought about by the
increased use of natural gas, by the introduction of new appliances
and improvements in those used in earlier years and also as a result
of competition with other sources of light and fuel. These changes
have made it advisable for the Bureau to revise, from time to time,
its method of computing and publishing prices of gas.
The last revision took place in 1935. In October of that year,
prices per therm 1 and per cubic foot were first published for each of
four services based upon consumption of gas typical of average heat
requirements for the use of domestic appliances. These prices have
since appeared quarterly in “ Retail Prices.”
This work has now been expanded to include the computation of
quarterly indexes of prices since M arch 1923. H eat requirements of
10.6 therms, typical of the use of gas for cooking, and of 30.6 therms,
for the use of an automatic water heater and a range, have been
selected as representative for this purpose and as illustrative of the
present trend toward lower rates for increased consumption. Indexes
have been computed for each of these heat requirements for each
city and for the 50 cities combined. Subindexes have been com­
puted for manufactured, natural, and mixed gas.

Computation o f the Indexes
Cities
In M arch 1923, 40 of the 50 cities included in the indexes were
using manufactured gas, 7 were using straight natural gas and 3 were
using mixed manufactured and natural gas. In June 1936, 25 of
these cities were still using manufactured gas, but the introduction of
straight natural gas or mixed manufactured and natural gas had
11 therm equals 100,000 British thermal units; 1 B . t. u. equals the amount of heat required to raise
the temperature of 1 pound of pure water 1 ° F .




1

2

C H A N G E S IN R E T A IL P R IC E S O F G A S , 19 2 3 -3 0

taken place in m any cities, with the result that 18 of the 50 cities
were using straight natural gas and 7 were using mixed manufactured
and natural gas.
The cities whose rate schedules have been used in the computation
of these indexes, arranged by geographical areas, are:
N e w E n g la n d :

S o u th A t la n t ic :

B o s to n

A t la n t a

F a ll R i v e r
M a n ch ester

B a ltim o r e
C h a r le s to n

N ew H aven

J a c k s o n v ille

P o r t la n d , M a in e

N o r fo lk

P r o v id e n c e

R ich m o n d
Savannah

M id d le A t la n t i c :

W a s h in g to n , D . C .

B u ffa lo
N ew ark

E a s t S o u th C e n tr a l:

N ew Y ork

B ir m in g h a m

P h ila d e lp h ia
P it t s b u r g h

L o u is v ille

R o ch e ste r

M o b ile

S c r a n to n

M e m p h is

W e s t S o u th C e n tr a l:
D a lla s
H o u sto n

E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l:
C h ic a g o

L it t le R o c k
N e w O rlea n s

C in c in n a ti
C le v e la n d
C o lu m b u s
D e t r o it
I n d ia n a p o lis
M ilw a u k e e
P e o r ia
S p rin g fie ld , 111.
W e s t N o r t h C e n tr a l:
K an sa s C ity
M in n e a p o lis
O m aha

M o u n t a in :
B u tte
D enver
S a lt L a k e C it y
P a c ific :
L o s A n g e le s
P o r t la n d , O re g .
S a n F r a n c is c o
S e a ttle

S t. L o u is
S t. P a u l

Prices
Prices of gas were computed for each of the two selected services
for all cities on identical standards of heat units expressed in therms,
and on the equivalent in cubic feet, the latter varying in inverse ratio
to the heating value of the gas in each city. The factor of 10.6 therms
for the use of a range and of 30.6 therms for the use of the automatic
water heater in addition to the range have been determined from
records and estimates received from the gas companies and from
laboratory studies of the heat requirements for cooking and for water
heating.
Although these standards are typical of the average use of gas for
the specified services, they are not equally representative for all of the




3

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

cities included in this study. In cities served with manufactured gas
generated from fuel shipped from a considerable distance, or in cities
using natural gas which has been piped for hundreds of miles, the
conservative use of gas tends to a somewhat lower consumption;
but in cities located in the natural-gas regions, where proximity to
the source of supply combined with attendant lower prices encourage
a more liberal use, gas is utilized to a considerable extent for space
heating by a m ajority of the residential customers. In some instances
these natural-gas customers are served under more advantageous rate
schedules than those used by the Bureau for computing net m onthly
bills.
Table 1, prepared from annual statistics in 1935 appearing in Bulle­
tins N o. 21 and N o . 22, published by the American Gas Association,
presents a summary of the volume of sales and the cost to the customer
of manufactured and natural gas sold for domestic purposes in the
years 1929 to 1935 inclusive. In each case, the figures are based
upon reports from identical companies throughout the 7 years.
Therefore, the statistics for natural gas for the earlier years include
companies which subsequently changed from manufactured to natural
gas during this period. Sales of gas for house heating are included
with domestic sales.
T able

1.—

M a n u f a c t u r e d a n d n a tu r a l g a s f o r d o m e s t i c u s e , i n c l u d i n g h o u s e h e a tin g

[Total sales and revenue in the United States, and average consumption and price per customer, 1929-35]

Number of
customers
Dec. 21

Annual sales to
customers

Revenue from
sales to customers

Average con­
sumption per
customer per
month

Year
M anu­
fac­
tured

N at­
ural

Thousands
1929______
1930______
1931______
1932______
1933______
1934............
1935.^1____

9,758
9,768
9,669
9,239
9,190
9,375
9,550

5,024
5,340
5,288
5,206
5,253
5,427
5,636

M anu­
fac­
tured

Natural

Millions of cubic
feet
289,187
294,483
290,291
276,244
258,565
260,254
258,042

312,598
325,602
319,467
300,869
281,964
284,883
304,255

M anu­
fac­
tured

M anu­
N at­
Natural
fac­
ural
tured

Thousands of
dollars
344,093
348,121
342,697
332,248
306,199
305,829
302,031

203,612
218,118
219,345
211, 042
197,958
198,092
210,572

Average price per cus­
tomer per month

Manufac­
tured

Natural

Per
Total M C F Total Per
MOP

Cubic feet
2,470
2,512
2,502
2,492
2,345
2,313
2,252

5,185 $2.94 $1.19 $3.38
5,081
2.97
1.18 3.40
5,034 2.95
1.18 3.46
4,816 3.00 1.20 3.38
4,473 2.78 1.18 3.14
4,374 2.72 1.18 8.04
4,499 2.64
1.17 3.11

$0.65
.67
.69
.70
.70

.70
.69

Source: Annual Statistics of the Gas Industry, 1935, American Gas Association, Statistical Bulletins
Nos. 21 and 22.

The average heating value for manufactured gas for cities reporting
to the Bureau in 1935 was 535 B . t. u. per cubic foot. The actual
average monthly consumption in 1935 as reported by the American
Gas Association was 2,252 cubic feet, equivalent to 12.0 therms, at
an average price of 22.0 cents per therm. These statistics include the
use of manufactured gas for house heating. The average monthly
consumption, exclusive of house heating, is equivalent to 10.5 therms,
approximately the same heat requirement used by the Bureau as
typical of the use of gas for the range only.
126580*— 8T------2




C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

4

For natural gas, the average heating value was 1,062 B . t. u. per
cubic foot. The actual average monthly consumption in 1935 as
reported by the American Gas Association was 4,499 cubic feet,
equivalent to 47.8 therms at an average price of 6.5 cents per therm.
This consumption provides for the use of natural gas for major
appliances in addition to the range and water heater, and confirms the
statement already made concerning the more extensive use of natural
gas at prices considerably below the average paid for manufactured
gas.
For purposes of computing prices for cities served under rate sched­
ules which measure consumption by the cubic foot, the equivalent of
10.6 therms and 30.6 therms has been computed to the nearest 10
cubic feet. This partially compensates for any difference which m ay
result in the use of a single month for computing a representative bill,
as compared with the general practice of computing monthly bills to
the nearest 100 cubic feet, any variation up to this amount being taken
care of in the following m onth.
The following table shows, for June 1936, the kind of gas used in each
of the 50 cities, its average heating value for that month, and the price
per therm. Changes in the kind and in the heating value of the gas
used, and changes in rates and in rate structures were carefully studied
in computing the prices shown in this table.
T able 2. —

B r i t i s h th e r m a l u n i t s p e r c u b ic f o o t o f g a s a r r a n g e d i n d e s c e n d i n g o r d e r
f o r 50 cities with kind of gas used and prices per therm based on consumption of
1 0 . 6 th e r m s a n d SO .6 th e r m s a s o f J u n e 1 & 3 6
[ M —manufactured; N =n atural; X = m ix e d , manufactured and natural]

City

B .t . u.

Kind
of
gas

Price per
therm based
on consump­
tion of—

City

B .t .u .

Kind
of
gas

10.6
30.6
therms therms

10.6
30.6
therms therms

Cents
San Franeisco __
Pittsburgh ________
Cleveland
______
T,na Angeles _
Cnlumhns
T>pHas
Peoria
Springfield, 111...........
Kanse-s C ity________
Houston _ _______
Little Roelr
Atlanta
M em phis. _________
M obile__ ___________
New Orleans
__
Buffalo______________
TiOnisvilla
Cincinnati. ................
Salt Lake C ity______
Bntte
Denver_____________
Chicago_____________
Minneapolis________
St. Louis____________
Washington_________




1,160
1,124
1,100
1,100
1,050
1,050
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
980
980
960
950
900
900
865
865
850
845
800
800
800
600

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
X
X
X
X

12.0
9.4
7.1
11.8
7.1
11.9
20.0
18.0
12.8
11.2
10.4
16.8
14.3
21.2
11.9
7.2
8.7
8.6
20.0
10.5
20.2
18.3
17.9
19.2
14.4

Cents
8.1
5.3
4.7
8 .0 '
5.0
8.3
15.3
15.2
10.2
8.1
7.3
12.3
11.8
15.5
10.3
7.2
6.7
8.0
13.6
7.1
13.6
15.3
13.9
15.9
13.3

Price per
therm based
on consump­
tion of—

Savannah __________
Indianapolis. ______
Portland, Oreg_____
Omaha______________
St. Paul.......................
Charleston__________
New York__________
Rochester___________
Boston.____ ________
Jacksonville
Birmingham
Philadelphia________
Detroit _
Norfolk.........................
Fall River
New Haven
Manchester. ______
Portland, M aine___
Newark_____________

Richmond
Reranton __ . ... .
Milwaukee
Providence
_ _
Baltimore
Seattle..........................

575
570
570
555
500
550
540
537
535
535
534
530
530
530
528
528
525
525
525
525
520
520
510
500
500

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

Cents

Cents

21.7
15.8
22.0
14.4
16.4
25.5
22.1
18.6
23.1
38.0
15.0
17.0
16.1
22.6
23.9
22.7
26.8
28.5
25.4
24.8
29.2
16.3
24.3
17.0
29.2

21.7
15.8
19.5
11.5
16.4
23.5
* 19.9
18.2
18.6
26.8
15.0
16.4
16.1
21.6
19.4
20.3
18.5
21.3
19.8
24.3
23.1
15.1
19.9
15.6
17.4

5

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O P G A S , 1923-^36

The most significant development in rate structures between
M arch 1923 and June 1936 was the increased use of the fixed monthly
service charge which, in most cities, includes the consumption of a
small amount of gas. Thirty of the 67 companies in the 50 cities
reporting to the Bureau had no service charge at either date. Eleven
of them had a service charge at both dates. Twenty-six companies
introduced the use of the service charge during this period. Fifteen
of these twenty-six companies introduced the service charge when they
changed from manufactured to straight natural or to mixed gas; 9 of the
26 companies used manufactured gas and 2 used straight natural gas
throughout the entire period. The use of the service charge by each
of the reporting companies in M arch 1923 and in June 1936 is shown
in the following table:
T a b l e 3 .— Service charges for gas jor 50 cities in March 1928 and June 1986 appli­

cable to consumption of 10.6 therms
[M=manufactured; N=natural; X=mixed, manufactured and natural]
March 1923

Service charge

Region and city
Kind
of gas

Amount

New England:
Boston:
1 company___________________
1 company________ __________
Fall River_______________________
Manchester______________________
New H aven. ___________________
Portland, M aine____ ______ ______
Providence_______________________
Middle Atlantic:
Buffalo
__ _
___ ..
Nft'Hfark
._
New York:
8 companies_________________
1 co m p a n y _________________
2 companies.
___________
1 company___________________
Philadelphia_____________________
Pittsburgh:
3 companies __ ______________
R ochester__ _____ _______________
Scranton_________________________
East North Central:
Chicago__________________________
Cincinnati___ __________ _________
Cleveland________________________
Columbus:
2 c o m p a n i e s ______________
D e t r o it._________ ______________
Indianapolis_____________________
Milwaukee_____________ ________
Peoria__ _________________- _______
Springfield_______________________
W est North Central:
Kansas City_____________________
M in n ea p o lis..__________________
O m a h a __________________________
St. Louis_________________________
St. Paul................ ...............................

Footnote at end of table.




June 1936

M
M
M
M
M
M
M

$0. 25
.50

Service charge

Cubic feet
included

100

.50

Kind
of gas
Amount

M
M
M
M
M
M
M

X
M

X
M

M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M

.75

N
M
M
M
N
N
N
M
M
M
M
M
N
M
M
M
M

N
M
M
.60

.50

400

400

.50
.75

500

X
X
N
N
M
M
M
N
N
N
X
M

X

M

Cubic feet
included

$0.60

100

.75
1.00
.50
1.00
.70

300
600
100
400
200

1.00

400

i 1.02
1 1.02
* 1.02

600
500
500

.75
.58

250

.50

400

2.76
1.00
.75
8.81

400
400
600
333

6

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -5 6

T able 3. —

S ervice charges f o r gas f o r 5 0 cities in M a r c h 1 9 2 3 a nd J u n e 1 9 3 6 a p p li­
cable to con su m p tio n o f 1 0 .6 therm s — C o n tin u e d

[M*» manufactured; N —natural; X*= mixed, manufactured and natural]
March 1923

Service charge

Region and city
of gas

Amount

South Atlantic:

Atlanta

_

___

Baltimore______________________ _
Charleston_______________________

Jacksonville
. .
Norfolk .......... .
Richmond
............. _

....

Savannah________________________
Washington:
2

June 1936

companies

Service charge

Cubic feet
included

M

Kind
of gas
Am ount
included

Cubic feet

N
M
M
M
M
M
M

1 .0 0

200

M

X

.75

800

M

M
600
400
300

M
M
M
M

M
M

.60

East South Central:

Birmingham

Louisville________________________
M em phis_________________________
M obile ...... ............... .......... ..............
W est South Central:
Dallas____________________________

TTnnstnn . . . . . . . ....... ...............
Little Roclr..
. ___
New Orleans___________________

N

X

*.62

M
M

N
N

1. 25

N
M

N

N

N
N

N

M

.80

1.17
.50
.50
.25

700

1 .0 0

1,000
400

M ountain:

Biit.tc

_ .
Denver _________________________
Salt Lake C ity ______ ____________
Pacific:
Los Angeles:

2 companies.
Portland, Oreg___________________
San Francisco____________________
Seattle___________________________

N
N

M
M

M

N

.25

400

N

.80

.71

300

M

.71

300
300

.75

500

M

*.77

500

X
M
M
M

1.92
1.92

N

i Tax of 2 percent has been included.
* Tax of 1 percent has been included*
* Tax of 3 percent has been included*

City Indexes
Using the 3-year average, 192 3 -2 5 , as a base, city indexes were
computed for the two services 10.6 therms (range), and 30.6 therms
(range and water heater), for each city at quarterly intervals
from M arch 1923 through June 1936. W eighted indexes were
computed for those cities from which reports are received for more
than one company, using as weights the number of domestic custom­
ers served by each company in 1934. These indexes for M arch
1926 through June 1936, presented in table 13, are followed by an
explanation for each city accounting for changes in the indexes
beginning with M arch 1923 as indicated in the basic data used in
computing the prices themselves. In order that these relative
changes may be more readily interpreted, the bills for the base period
with the equivalent price per therm and similar bills and prices for
June 1936 are shown in the table.




C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O P G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

7

The sharp price decreases for the cities changing from manufac­
tured to natural gas are reflected in the marked declines in indexes
for these cities between M arch 1923 and June 1936. In every
case, the cost to the consumer was noticeably lower when natural gas
was introduced with a higher heating value. This decline was
graduated in some cities by the use of mixed gas prior to the introduc­
tion of straight natural-gas service. I t should be noted that the
bills in 1923 were considerably higher for some of these cities than
for cities which continued serving manufactured gas throughout the
entire period.

The summarized data which were used in the computations of these
indexes are presented in table 14 for each of the reporting companies.
This table shows the dates at which each company made changes
affecting the retail price of gas, together with the kind and heating
value of the gas used and the cubic feet equivalent to 10.6 therms
and 30.6 therms. Types of rate structures and service charges are
also shown. These elements have all entered into the computation
of the monthly bills and prices per therm which are the basis of the
city indexes and combined indexes presented in this pamphlet.2
Indexes for 50 Cities Combined
W eighted indexes were computed for 10.6 therms, the range, and
for 30.6 therms, the range and automatic water heater, for the 50
cities combined, using for the base period, the 3-year average, 1923-25.
T he weighting factors used for this purpose were the number of resi­
dential customers served by each reporting company as of the nearest
date to December 31, 1934, for which such information was available.
These constitute the best weighting data now available.
The usefulness of the index for the water heater is somewhat limited
by the lack of adequate data for computing a second index for this
service weighted by the total number of customers using gas equiva­
lent to 30.6 therms or more per month, sufficient for the use of major
appliances in addition to the range. D ata from companies reporting
on the number of their customers using that quantity of heat each
month, indicate that in the case of manufactured gas, a relatively small
number of customers use as much as 30.6 therms per month. In
cities where straight natural gas is served at prices well below those
for manufactured gas, the situation is reversed. These facts are set
forth in the discussion of the computation of the prices.
The chart facing page 1 of this pamphlet provides a graphic picture
of the price changes of gas for domestic use over a period of more than
13 years, a period which includes marked changes in the industry.
The two indexes are shown in table 4.
* A n explanation of technical terms and a description of types of domestic rate schedules which will serve

as a guide to the interpretation of statistical data will be found on page 18,




g

C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R IC E S O F G A S, 1923^36

T able 4.—

In d e x es o f retail prices o f gas f o r 6 0 cities com b in ed , M a r c h 1 9 2 3 J u n e 1 9 3 6 , f o r 1 0 .6 therm s , range , and 3 0 .6 th erm s , water heater a nd range

[1923-25 - 100]
10.6 therms
Year and month
Range

30.6 therms
Range and
water heater

10.6 therms 30.6 therms
Year and month
Range

ms
M arch____________________
June______________________
September________________
December.......................... ..

1930
100.6
100.4
99.5
99.5

100.6
100.5
99.6
99.5

M a r c h ...____ __________ __
June______________________
September_________ ______
December. ______________

99.4
100.0
99.9
100.0

99.4
99.9
99.9
100.0

March____________________
June___
_________ ______
September
_ .
December__ ______ _______

100.0
100.3
100.3
100.2

100.0
100.3
100.4
100.2

March___________ ______ __
J u n e _____________________
September______________ .
December.
__

100.1
99.8
99.8
99.9

100.2
99.7
99.6
99.6

March___ __ _____________
June______________________
September________________
December
____

99.9
99.9
100.0
100.1

99.5
99.5
99.2
99.3

March__________________ _
June_____
_____________
September________________
December. __________ ____

100.1
99.5
98.6
99.5

99.3
98.7
97.2
97.3

M arch____ _________
June____________________ _

99.1
99.6
99.6
99.7

96.8
96.6
96.0
95.4

March
.Tima

1927
M arch____________________
June______________________
September________________
December________________

98.1
97.9
97.6
97.4

91.0
90.9
90.2
89.7

97. 2
97.1
97.2
97. 2

89.2
89.1
88.4
88.4

97.2
97.3
97.2
97.4

88. 2
88. 3
88.3
88.5

97.3
97.6
97.3
97.2

88.4
88.6
88.3
86.8

97.1
96.9

86. 6
86.4

1935

1929
M arch____________________
June______________________
September—........ ............
December------- -------------- ---

93.7
93.6
91.9
91.1

1934

1928
March
June . ..
September
December________________

98.9
98.8
98.8
98.3

1933

1926
M arch_______ ____________
June______________________
September________________
December________________

94.4
94.3
94.2
94.0

1932

1925
M a rch ____________________
June______________________
September_______________
D ecem b er__ ____________

99.2
99.3
99.3
99.3

1951

1924
M arch____________________
June
September___ ____________
December_______________

Range and
water heater

September

D e c e m b e r .______________

1936

N o attempt is made in these indexes to measure price changes ac­
cording to greater or lesser amounts of gas consumed for the same pur­
pose, but only to measure price changes for an identical heat require­
ment for the same service. Therefore, the prices paid in those cities
served by the greatest number of customers are of relatively greater
importance in the index. The same weights were used in computing
the indexes for the range and the range and water heater in order that
the indexes should measure price changes only. The weights used in
computing indexes for 50 cities combined are presented in table 5 as
percentages of the sum of all customers served by the 67 companies
whose rates were the basis for the computations.




C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6
T

able

9

5 .— W eig h tin g fa cto rs f o r indexes o f retail prices o f gas f o r 6 0 cities com bined
[Based upon number of residential customers as of December 31,1934]

Region and city

50 cities combined________________________
New England:
Boston_______________________________
Pall River
__ _
_ _ _
Manchester
_
______
New H aven ...............................................
Portland, M aine.
.......
Providence_______ ___________________
M iddle Atlantic:
Buffalo _ . . . .
Newark________________ ______ _______
N ew Y o rk ___________________________
Bronx______________ ______ _ 4.8
Brooklyn................................. 12.2
M anhattan............................. 6.8
Queens
,.
1.3
Richmond
.4
Philadelphia. . . . . .
Pittsburgh__________ _______ _________
Rochester....................................................
Scranton_____________________________
East North Central:
Chicago______________________________
Cincinnati___________________________
Cleveland....................................................
Columbus
........
_
Detroit _ . . . . _____
____
Indianapolis
Milwaukee___________________ _______
Peoria._____________ _______ __________
Springfield, TU

Ratio
weights

100.0
4.2
.4
.2
.8
.2
1.0
2. 4
1.9
25.5

5.9
2.8
1.4
.4
10.5
1.5
3.6
1. 1
5.1
1.1
2.1
.3
.2

Region and city

W est North Central:
TTansas City
Minneapolis...............................................
Omaha. _
St. Louis
St. Paul . . .
South Atlantic:
________________
________
Atlanta
Baltimore
Charleston.....................- ...........................
Jacksonville
Norfolk . ...
Rinhmond
Savannah
_
. . . .
Washington, D . C
___ _
East South Central:
Birm ingham .________________________
L o u isville___________________________
M em phis____________________________
Mobile.......... ......................... ........... .........
W est South Central:
Dallas.......... ....... ................. ......... ........... .
Houston.......................................................
Little Rock___________ ______ ________
New Orleans. ______________________
Mountain:
Butte...................... ..................... ...............
Denver_______________________________
Salt Lake C i t y . _____________________
Pacific:
Los Angeles__________________________
Portland, Oregon_____ ______________
San Francisco............................................
Se attle........................................................

DISTRIBUTION OF 5 0 CITIES
ACCORDING TO KIND OF GAS USED

U 3 . Bureau o r Labor S tatistic*




Ratio
weights

1.2
1.5
.7
2.4
.9
.7
2.7
.1
.2
.3
.5
.1
1.7
.5
1.0
.5
.1
.9
.7
.2
1.0
.1
1.0
.2
4.3
1.0
2.4
.5

10

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923^86
Subindexes b y Kinds o f Gas

The indexes for the 50 cities combined reflect the marked price de­
creases in cities changing from manufactured to straight natural or

R etail Prices

InLarge Cities

Gas

i923'25*100

AO

/SO

I/O

I/O

1

11

WO

(*

Auto)natu\wate'rNetxter^.
amW an ge

SO

ange

1

\

1

J

WO

k

*Sr»*/9?34l1G/M9
n orm

' 1T

m m m me /oss m m mo m/ /oss m3 m /oss /.’936 /oss m

mimjJL gas

SO

j\

1

hBange

r k

//o

v ten ^leate
Amfomatic V a
andJ?ang 9

90

90
A///W.
Ame?
<936A9tW
av ~

SO
0

SO

___ 1___ L _

/m ms wss mo ms m m mo m/ ms ms /ou ms /os0/93/ ms

M IX E D G AS

0

/SO

no

//o
^B ange

1

«C S SSSd

Am oma.ticm 'iter*¥eati
a/, d Bemge

90

Meret\JMSiWes
SO ------- l. jv/rew* /OOv _!___—------- ------- ------- ------0

m

U J 1.

wo
90

— ------- l-------------- ------- --------------- 80

rr r
m ms me ms ms ms mo m/ ms m

m /oss me /oss ms 0

Mem SmresSmm or U*o* S m r/snes_____________________________________________________________

mixed gas. The subindexes, which measure price movements for
identical kinds of gas, only, show less decline.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-56

\\

Three subindexes have been computed, one for cities serving manu­
factured gas, one for natural gas and one for mixed gas. This has
been done because of the inherent differences among companies serving
these three kinds of gas. It was necessary to use the link relative
method for this purpose if the indexes were to account for price
changes for each kind of gas used by the 50 cities included in the com­
bined index. W hen a different kind of gas was introduced into a city,
the city was transferred from one subindex to another.
Manufactured Gas

O f the 40 cities selling manufactured gas in M arch 1923, 15 were
using either straight natural gas or mixed manufactured and natural
gas in June 1936. Of the 25 cities still serving manufactured gas in
1936, 18 are located in the East and South, chiefly along the Atlantic
seaboard; 5 are in the Central area, and 1 of these, Detroit, is now
introducing natural gas; 2 are in the Pacific northwest. All are at
considerable distances from the natural-gas fields. The indexes for
manufactured gas are presented in table 6.

T

able

6 .—

In d ex es o f retail prices o f m anufactured gas M a r c h 1 9 2 3 , 4 0 c ities;
J u n e 1 9 3 6 , 2 5 cities
[1923-25 =■100]

10.6

Y e a r an d m o n th

th e rm s

R ange

30.6 th e rm s
R ange an d
w a te r
he ater

m s

M a r c h .......................................
J u n e ...........................................
S e p te m b e r_______________
D e c e m b e r____ __________
1924

M a r c h .......................................
J u n e ...........................................
S e p te m b e r..............................
D e c e m b e r_______________

100.9
100.5
99.6
99.5

101 .0
100 .8

99.7
99.6

99.4

99.5

1 00 .2
100.1
100.1

100.1
1 00 .0
100 .0

100 .1
10 0 .0
100 .0

100 .0

1925

M a r c h —................................. .
J u n e ........................................ .
S ep te m b er...............................
D e c e m b e r_______________
1926

M a r c h .......... ............................
Ju n e ........ ........................ ..........
S ep te m b er______ _________
D e c e m b e r__________ _____

99.7

99.9
99.9
99.6

99.5
99.7
99.6
99.6

99.5
99.6
99.4
99.4

99.5
99.6
99.6
99.6

99.2
99.2
98.9
99.0

99.6
99.2
99.1
99.1

98.9
98.4
98.3
98.3

98.9
99.5
99.9

98.0
97.9
97.6

100.1

97.0

1927

M a r c h .......................................
J u n e ....................................... ..
S ep te m b er...............................
D e c e m b e r.............................
1928

M a r c h .......................................
Ju n e ...........................................
S e p te m b e r..............................
D e c e m b e r................................
1929

M a r c h . .. ............................. ..
Ju n e ...........................................
S ep te m b er...............................
D e c e m b e r................................

126580°—37------ 3




Year and month

10.6 therms
Range

19S0
March...............................
June...................................
September_____________
December.........................
1981
March...............................
June...................................
September..................... .
December.........................
1982
March______________ . . .
June___________________
September____ _________
December....... .............. .
1988
March...............................
June—............... ...............
September......._ .............
December........................
1984
March..............................
June........ .........................
September....................... .
December.........................
1985
March......... ...... ..............
June............. ............ ........
September_____________
December_________ ____
1936
March.______ __________
June....................—.........

30.6 therms
Range and
water
heater

100.1
100.4
100.3
100.3

97.0
97.0
96.8
96.7

99.9
99.9
100.1
100.0

96.8
96.8
94.5
94.2

99.9
99.7
99.7
99.3

94.2
94.1
93.5
92.8

99.1
99.0
99.2
99.2

92.0
91.9
92.9
2.11

99.2
99.2
99.1
100.1

91.9
91.9
91.8
92.7

100.0
100.5
100.0
100.0

92.6
93.1
92.5
90.4

100.0
99.9

90.3
90.2

12

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OP GAS, 1923-36

The cities included in the indexes for manufactured gas for all
periods from M arch 1923 through June 1936 and those transferred to
indexes for natural or mixed manufactured and natural gas are shown
below.
A .— Cities serving manufactured gas throughout entire period,
M arch 1923-June 1936, mclusive.
New England:
Boston
Fall River
Manchester
New Haven
Portland
Providence
Middle Atlantic:
Newark
New York
Philadelphia
Rochester
Scranton
East North Central:
Detroit
Indianapolis
Milwaukee

West North Central:
Omaha
St. Paul
South Atlantic:
Baltimore
Charleston
Jacksonville
Norfolk
Richmond
Savannah
East South Central:
Birmingham
Pacific:
Portland, Oreg.
Seattle

B .— Cities transferred to indexes for natural or mixed gas.
East North Central:
West South Central:
Chicago________ Mixed-_Dec. 1931
Houston______Natural. .June 1926
Peoria_______ Natural. _ Mar. 1932
New Orleans..Natural__Sept. 1928
Springfield, Ill-Natural-_Mar. 1932
Mountain:
West North Central:
Butte_____________ Natural. .Sept.1931
Minneapolis____ Mixed. .June 1935
Denver_______Natural. _Sept. 1928
St. Louis_______ M ixed..Sept. 1932
Salt Lake City Natural. _Sept. 1929
South Atlantic:
Pacific:
Atlanta_______ Natural. _ Mar. 1930
San Francisco..M ixed._Sept. 1929
Washington____ Mixed. _ Mar. 1931
East South Central:
Memphis_____ Natural.-M ar. 1929
Mobile________ Natural.-Dec. 1930
In table 7 is shown the increasing importance of each city to the
total as some cities discontinued the use of manufactured gas.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OP GAS, 1923-36

13

T a b l e 7.— W eig h tin g fa cto rs f o r in dexes o f m anufa ctured gas
[Percentage distribution by cities for March 1923 and June 1936]

City and regional area

Total for cities included in
indexes----------- ------------- New England:
Boston _ ______________
Fall River______________
Manchester____________
New Haven_________ __
Portland, Maine. _____
Providence__________
Middle Atlantic:
Newark.. _____________
New York_____________
Philadelphia...................
Rochester____________ _
Scranton____ __________
East North Central:
Chicago________________
Detroit ________________
Indianapolis____________
Milwaukee_________ __
Peoria_________________
Springfield, 111__ ______
West North Central:
Minneapolis____________
Omaha________________
St. Louis______________
St. Paul________________

March
1923
40 cities

June
1936
25 cities

100.0

100.0

5. 2
.4
.2
1.0
.3
1.3

7.3
.6
.3
1.4
.4
1.8

2.3
31.4
7. 2
1.7
.5

3.3
44.3
10. 2
2.4
.6

13.0
6.3
1.3
2.6
.4
.3

8.9
1.8
3.6

1.9
.9
3.0
1.1

1.3

City and regional area

South Atlantic:
Kt.lftntft
Baltimore...................... .
Charleston, S. C____
Jacksonville________ ___
Norfolk..............................
Richmond— ............ ........
Savannah____________
Washington, D. O
East South Central:
Birmingham___________
Memphis___________ ___
Mobile.................... ..........
West South Central:
Houston_______________
New Orleans__________
Mountain:
Butte__________________
Denver________________
Salt Lake City_________
Pacific:
Portland, Oreg._ ______
San Francisco__________
Seattle_____________ ___

March
1923
40 cities

08
3.3
.1
.2
.4
.6
.2
2.1
.6
.6
.1

June
1936
25 cities

4.6
.2
.3
.5
.8
.3
.9

.8
1.2
.2
1.3
.3
1.2
3.0
.7

1.7
.9

1.6

N a tu ra l G as

Six cities in the North Central and South Central areas and one
in the Alleghany region were using natural gas in M arch 1923. In
March 1926, one of these cities had changed to mixed gas. Between
June 1926 and M arch 1932, 12 more of the 50 cities introduced
straight natural gas. Their customers received the advantage of gas
with a higher heating value than had previously been served to them.
In San Francisco, the B .t.u . of the gas served was increased from 610
to 1,150, while in Denver the change was from 335 to 845. In almost
every case rate structures were changed with the introduction of
natural gas. Since M arch 1932, 18 cities, more than one-third of the
total reporting to the Bureau, have been using straight natural gas.
The use of 30.6 therms is more typical for cities serving straight
natural gas than is the limited use of 10.6 therms as is indicated in the
price analysis. Therefore, the indexes for 30.6 therms are more
representative of price changes for this kind of gas.
The link relative indexes for this group are presented in table 8.
Price changes in the cities which account for marked changes in these
indexes from time to time are shown in table 13, city indexes by cities.




14
T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

able

8 .— In d e x es o f retail prices o f natural gas , M a r c h 1 9 2 3 , 7 c ities ; J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
1 8 cities

[1923-25=100]

10.6 therms
Year and month

Range

30.6 therms
Range and
water
heater

Year and month

10.6 therms

30.6 therms
Range and
water
heater

Range

92.9
99.1
99.3
99.3

85.8
97.2
98.2
98.5

1930
March__
_
June.._______ __________
September........ ...............
December................. ......

119.2
119.2
119.2
119.2

108.3
108.3
108.3
108.3

September_____________
December______________

99.3
98.7
98.7
98.7

98.5
98.5
102.0
102.0

1931
March........ ......................
June___________________
September_____ ________
December. ........................

119.2
119.2
119. 2
119.2

108.3
108.3
108.3
108.3

1925
March_________________
June___________________
September___ _ ____
December____________

98.7
105.3
105.3
107.1

102.0
105.3
105.3
108.1

1932
March................... ..........
June_______ ___________
September__ _ _ ___
December .. _ _

119.2
119.2
119.2
119.2

108.3
108.3
108.3
108.3

1926
March_________________
June___________________
September_____________
December______________

107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1

108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1

1933
March........ ............... ......
June____ ______________
September_____________
December______________

119.2
118.9
118. 8
118.8

108.6
108.1
107.9
107.9

1927
March_________________
June___________________
September_____________
December______________

109.3
109.3
109.3
109.3

108.0
108.0
108.0
108.0

March___ ___
June __
September
Decernher _

118.8
118.6
118.6
115.0

107.9
107.9
107.9
104. 5

December______________

109.3
109.3
109.3
119.4

108.0
108.0
108.0
108.5

114.5
114.5
114. 6
114.1

104.1
104.1
104. 2
104.0

1929
March_________________
June___________________
September-------- -----------December.........................

119.3
119.3
119.3
119.2

108.4
108.4
108.4
108.3

114.0
112.9

103.2
101.4

'M’flrp.h

ms

September
December______________
im
March_________________

1928
March
......
June___________________
September

1934

March.

„T __

1935
__ ___

J u n e ___________________

Septem ber. ___

_
December. ___________

1936
March_________________

June

The cities included in the indexes for natural gas for all periods
from M arch 1923 through June 1936, and a record of cities transferred
to or from these indexes are shown below.
A .— Cities serving natural gas throughout entire period M arch
1923— June 1936, inclusive.
Middle Atlantic:
Pittsburgh

West North Central:
Kansas City

East North Central:
West South Central:
Cleveland
Dallas
Columbus
Little Rock
B .— Cities transferred from manufactured or mixed gas to natural
gas, and date of transfer.
East North Central:
Peoria_________
Springfield, Ill__
South Atlantic:
Atlanta_______




Manufactured,
Manufactured,

Mar. 1932
Mar. 1932

Manufactured.

Mar. 1930

15

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O P G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6
E a s t S o u th C e n tr a l:
_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______

M a r . 19 29
D e c . 19 30

_ M a n u f a c t u r e d _____
_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______

J u n e 1 9 26
S e p t. 1 9 28

_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______
_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______

S e p t. 1931
S e p t. 19 28

_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______

S e p t. 1929

_ M a n u fa c t u r e d ______
W e s t S o u th C e n tr a l:

M o u n t a in :

P a c ific :
_ M i x e d _______________ __ M a r . 19 27
_ M i x e d ______ _________

M a r . 1 9 30

C .— Cities transferred to mixed gas from natural gas, and date of
transfer.
E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l:
C i n c in n a t i______________________________________ M i x e d _________________ J u n e 1925

The decreasing importance of each city in its effect upon the index
as more cities are included is shown in table 9.
T a b l e 9 . — W eig h tin g facto rs f o r indexes o f natural gas
[Percentage distribution by cities for March 1923 and at dates when cities are linked into the index]
Mar.
1923

June
1926

Mar.
1927

Sept.
1928

Mar.
1929

Sept.
1929

Mar.
1930

Dec.
1930

Sept.
1931

Mar.
1932

City
7 cities 7 cities 8 cities
Total for cities in­
cluded in indexes___
Cleveland.......... .........
Pittsburgh__________
Cincinnati__________
Kansas City_________
Columbus___________
Dallas______________
Little Rock_________
Houston____________
Tins Angfilns

New Orleans.______
Denver ____ ____ _
Memphis . __
Salt Lake City______
Atlanta_____________
San Francisco_______
Mobile.____________
Butte_______________
Peoria______________
Springfield..................

10

cities

11

cities

12

cities 14 cities 15 cities 16 cities 18 cities

100 .0

100.0

100 .0

100.0

100.0

100 .0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100 .0

31.6
25.0
13.2

34.1
27.0

24.3
19.2

21.4
16.9

2 0 .8

2 0 .6

17.5
13.9

17.4
13.8

17.2
13.7

16.8
13.2

11.5
10.5
8.3
2.3
6.3

8 .2

7.2
5.2
1.4
4.0
25.4
5.7

7.0
6.4
5.1
1.4
3.9
24.6
5.6

5.9
5.4
4.2

5.8
5.4
4.2

5.8
5.3
4.2

5.7
5.2
4.1

6 .2

6 .0

6.9
6.3
5.0
1.4
3.8
24.4
5.5
5.9
2.7

10.6

9.7
7.7
2 .2

7.5
5.9
1 .6

4.5
28.8

6 .6

16.5

2.7

16.3

1 .2

1 .2

3.2
20.7
4.7
5.0
2.3
1 .0

1 .2

3.2
2 0 .6

4.6
5.0
2.3
1 .0

3.2

3.2

11.8

11.8

.5

1 .2

3.2
20.4
4.6
5.0
2.3
1 .0

3.2
11.7
.5
.7

1 .1

3.1
2 0 .0

4.5
4.8
2 .2

L0
3.1
11.4
.5
.7
L6
1 .0

Additional indexes have been computed for natural gas based upon
prices in the six cities which have maintained the use of natural gas
throughout the entire period from 1923 to date. These indexes,
which measure price changes for cities where price levels have not
been affected by the transition from manufactured to natural gas,
are shown in table 10.




16
T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

a b l e

10.—

In d ex es

o f reta il p r i c e s o f n a tu r a l g a s , id e n tic a l
6 c i t i e s ; J u n e 1 9 3 6 , 6 c itie s

c ities, M a r c h 1 9 2 3 ,

[1923-25= 100 ]
30.6 th e r m s

30.6 th e r m s

10.6 t h e r m s

10.6 t h e r m s
Y ea r and m on th
R ange

R ange and
w a te r
h e a te r

1923
M a r c h ______________________
J u n e ________________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r __________________

9 2 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .3
9 9 .3

8 4 .2
9 6 .9
9 8 .0
9 8 .4

1924
M a r c h _______ _______________
J u n e _________________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r __________________

9 9 .3
98. 5
9 8 .5
9 8 .5

9 8 .4
9 8 .3

1925
M a r c h _______________ _______
J u n e _________________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r __________________

9 8 .5
105.1
105.1
106.9

1926
M a r c h _____________ _______
J u n e __________ _________ __ S e p t e m b e r _________________
D e c e m b e r _____________ ____

Y e a r an d m on th
R ange

R ange and
w a te r
h e a te r

1930
M a r c h _________ ___________
J u n e ___ _____________________
S e p t e m b e r ______ __________
D e c e m b e r . ______ __________

109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1

108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1

1931
______
M a r c h _____________
J u n e ___ ___________ _________
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r _____________ __

109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1

108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1

105.6
105.6
108.3

1932
M a r c h ________________ _____
J u n e __________________ . . . .
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r ___________ _______

109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1

108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1

106.9
106.9
106.9
106.9

108.3
108.3
108.3
108.3

1933
M a r c h ........... ...................
..
J u n e _________________________
S e p t e m b e r ________ _________
D e c e m b e r __________________

109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1

109 .0
1 09 .0
109 .0
109 .0

1927
M a r c h . . . .................... .............
J u n e _______________ ________
S e p t e m b e r ________ _________
D e c e m b e r ____ ____ _________

109.2
109.2
109.2
109.2

108.2
108.2
108.2
108 .2

1934
M a r c h _______ _____ _________
J u n e ____________________ ____
S e p t e m b e r _________________
D e c e m b e r __________________

109.1
109. 1
109.1
100.3

109 .0
109 .0
109 .0
9 9 .8

1928
M a r c h ________ ____________
J u n e __________ _______
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r __________________

109.2
109.2
109.2
109.2

108 .2
108. 2
108. 2
108 .2

1935
M a r c h ______________________
J u n e _________________________
S e p t e m b e r _________________
D e c e m b e r ___________ _______

100. 3
100.3
100. 5
100.5

1 0 0 .1
1 0 0 .1

1929
M a r c h . .......................... .............
J u n e ________________ ______
S e p t e m b e r __________________
D e c e m b e r __________ ______

109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1

108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1

1936
M a r c h ______________________
J u n e . . _________________ . .

100.3
100.3

9 9 .8
9 9 .8

10 2 .2
10 2 .2
10 2 .2

9 9 .8
9 9 .8

Mixed Manufactured and Natural Gas

A third subindex has been computed for companies using mixed
gas. The opening of large natural gas wells furnishing a supply
greatly in excess of the needs of local, sparsely settled communities,
has resulted in the piping of the product to markets many miles
distant. A number of cities adjacent to these pipe lines are utilizing
this natural gas with a high B . t. u. content by mixing it with manu­
factured gas. For most cities, the use of this mixed gas has provided
an increased heating value per cubic foot.
In M arch 1923, 2 of the 50 cities included in these indexes were
using mixed gas. Another, Louisville, used mixed gas for 4 months
of the year when the supply of natural gas was insufficient to meet
the demand. This city is now using mixed gas altogether. Two
cities used mixed gas during the transition from the use of manu­
factured to that of straight natural gas. In June 1936, seven cities
were served with mixed gas. The indexes for mixed gas are shown
in table 11.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-^36
T able

11. —

17

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f m i x e d g a s , M a r c h 1 9 2 3 , 8 c i t i e s ; J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
7

c itie s

[1923-25 *=100]
30.6 therms

30.6 t h e r m s

10.6 therms

10 .6 t h e r m s
Y ea r an d m o n th
Range

R ange and
w a ter
h e a te r

Range

1923
M a r c h ............. ............................
J u n e ..............................................
S e p t e m b e r .................................
D e c e m b e r ................ .................

109.0
9 9 .8
9 9 .6
9 9 .4

109.0
9 9 .8
9 9 .6
9 9 .4

March.....................................
June._____ _______ ________
September_____ __________
December...................... .......

1924
M a r c h ________________ _____
J u n e . . . ________ _____________
S e p t e m b e r _______________ _
D e c e m b e r . . .............................

9 9 .7
99.1
9 8 .9
98 .9

9 9 .7
9 9 .1
9 8 .9
9 8 .9

March........................ ...........
June_______ _______________
September............................
December..............................

1925
M a r c h ______________________
J u n e _______ _________________
S e p t e m b e r ________ ________
D e c e m b e r ______________

9 8 .9
9 8 .9
9 8 .9
9 8 .9

9 8 .9
98 .9
9 8 .9
98 .9

March................................. .
June........................ ...............
September______ _________
December.______ _________

1926
M a r c h ____ _________________
J u n e .............................................
S e p t e m b e r ............... .................
D e c e m b e r . . .............................

1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0

1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
10 1.0
1 0 1.0

March..................... .......... ..
June.........................................
September.............................
December 1..........................

1927
M a r c h .........................................
J u n e ------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r ............... .................
D e c e m b e r __________________

1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0

10 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0
10 1.0

March................................. ..
June................ ............. .........
September.._____ ________
D ecem ber........................ ..

1928
M a r c h ______________________
J u n e ------- -----------------------------S e p t e m b e r -______ __________
D e c e m b e r . . ................ ............

1 0 1.0
10 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0

1 0 1.0
10 1.0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1.0

March.....................................
June________ _____ ______ __
September....................... ..
D ecem b er.........................

1 0 1.0
10 1.0
1 0 1 .0

1 0 1.0
10 1.0
1 0 1.0

M arch............................. .......
June..................................... ..

9 8 .2

98.1

1929
M a r c h ___ __________________
J u n e ................. ............................
S e p t e m b e r —_____ __________
D e c e m b e r . .................... .. . . .

Range and
water
heater

Year and month

1930

99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3

98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8

99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3

98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8

99.0
99.0
98.1
98.1

98.5
98.5
97.5
97.5

98.1
98.1
97.7
97.7

97.5
97.5
92.2
92.2

97.9
98.2
98.3
98.3

92.5
92.8
92.9
92.9

98.3
98.3
98.4
98.3

92.9
92.5
92.6
92.5

98.1
98.1

92.0
92.1

1931

1982

1983

1984

1935

1986

1 From 1923 to December 1933, Louisville was served natural gas during 8 months of the year and mixed
gas during the remaining 4 months. This city was not included in the index until December 1933.

A record of the cities included in the indexes for mixed manufactured
and natural gas follows:
A .— Cities serving mixed gas throughout entire period, M arch
1923-June 1936, inclusive.
M id d le A t la n t ic :
B u ffa lo

B.—Cities transferred from manufactured or natural gas to mixed
gas, and date of transfer.
E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l:
C h i c a g o _________
C i n c in n a t i_______
W e s t N o r t h C e n tr a l:
M in n e a p o lis ____
S t. L o u i s ________




_ M a n u f a c t u r e d ___ . . .
_ N a t u r a l ____

D e c . 1931

__ ____ J u n e 1936

_ M a n u fa c t u r e d . . . . ___ J u n e 1935
. M a n u f a c t u r e d ___ . . . S e p t. 1932

Ig

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923^36

South Atlantic:
W a s h in g t o n ___________________________________

M a n u fa c t u r e d ________

M a r . 1931

E a s t S o u th C e n tr a l:
L o u is v ille ______________________________________

(3) ________________________ D e c . 1933

P a c ific :
S a n F r a n c is c o _________________________________

M a n u fa c t u r e d __________ S e p t. 1929

C.

— Cities transferred to natural gas from mixed gas, and date
of transfer.
P a c ific :
L o s A n g e le s ___________________________________

N a t u r a l_________________ M a r . 1 9 27

S a n F r a n c is c o _________________________________ N a t u r a l___________________ M a r . 1930

The relative importance of each of these cities during the years from
1923 to 1936 is indicated in table 12.
T

a b l e 12.— W e i g h t i n g f a c t o r s f o r i n d e x e s o f m i x e d g a s

[P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n b y c it ie s fo r M a r c h 1923 a n d a t d a te s w h e n c it ie s are t r a n s fe rr e d t o /o r f r o m t h e
in d e x e s fo r m ix e d gas]

M ar.
1923

June
1925

M ar.
1927

S ep t.
1929

M ar.
1930

M ar.
1931

D ec.
1931

S e p t.
1932

D ec.
1933

June
1935

2 c ities

3 citie s

4 citie s

5 c ities

6 citie s

7 citie s

C ity

2 c ities 3 cities 2 cities 3 citie s

T o t a l for citie s i n c lu d ­
e d in in d e x e s .
■RnfTalrt ...
L o s A n g e le s _
C i n c i n n a t i _____________
S a n F r a n c is c o __________
W a s h in g t o n , D . C ____
C h ic a g o __________ _______
S t. L o u i s _______________
L o u is v ille l
,.
M in n e a p o l is ____________

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

35 .9
64.1

29.3
52 .3
18.4

6 1 .4

3 7 .7

6 1 .4

4 2 .6

14.8

12.9

1 2 .2

11.3

3 8 .6

23.7
3 8 .6

3 8 .6

2 6 .8

9 .3

8 .1

7 .7

7 .1

3 0 .6

10.7
6 5 .2

9 .3
56 .6
13.1

8 .8

8. 2

5 3 .8
12.5
5 .0

4 9 .9

1 1 .6
4 .6
7 .3

* F r o m 1923 t o D e c e m b e r 1933 L o u is v ille w a s s e r v e d n a tu ra l gas d u r in g 8 m o n t h s o f th e y e a r a n d m ix e d
g a s d u r in g t h e r e m a in in g 4 m o n t h s . T h is c i t y w a s n o t in c lu d e d in t h e in d e x u n t i l D e c e m b e r 1933.

Explanation o f Terms

British thermal unit.— This is the quantity of heat required to raise
the temperature of 1 pound of pure water 1° F .
Heating value.— The heating value is expressed in numbers of
British thermal units (B. t. u.) per cubic foot of gas. The minimum
heating value per cubic foot is usually prescribed by public service
commissions or city ordinance. Heating value standards for manu­
factured gas vary between 400 and 600 B . t. u. per cubic foot. For
natural gas service, the minimum heating value is prescribed in only
a few instances. The heating value of natural gas, in general, is
between 900 and 1,200 B . t. u. per cubic foot and usually approxi­
mates 1,000.
* F r o m 1923 t o D e c e m b e r 1933, L o u is v i ll e w a s s e r v e d n a t u r a l g a s d u r in g 8 m o n t h s o f t h e y e a r a n d m ix e d
g a s d u r in g t h e r e m a in in g 4 m o n t h s .




T h is c i t y w a s n o t in c lu d e d in t h e in d e x u n t i l D e c e m b e r 1933.

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O P G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 0

19

Therm

.— A therm is a unit of heating value equivalent to 100,000
B . t. u. The number of cubic feet of gas in a given number of therms is
determined by multiplying the given number of therms b y 100,000
and dividing this product by the heating value of the gas in B . t. u. per
cubic foot. For example: 10 therms is equivalent to 2,000 cubic feet
of gas having a heating value of 500 B . t. u. per cubic foot, and of 1,000
cubic feet of gas having a heating value of 1,000 B . t. u. per cubic foot.
.— Under this type of rate schedule, the price of
gas per thousand cubic feet or per therm is constant regardless of the
amount of consumption.

Straight line schedule

Block schedule.

— Under this rate schedule, a constant price per
thousand cubic feet or per therm is charged for all gas consumed in the
first “ block” of a designated number of units and a lower price per
thousand cubic feet or per therm is charged for all gas consumed in
succeeding blocks of fixed number of units.
In some cities domestic and commercial customers are billed under
the same rate schedule, which comprises a succession of comparatively
large blocks of consumption for which graduated lower prices are
charged. Since, in m any instances, these blocks are too large to affect
the price of gas used for domestic purposes, the term “ block meter
schedule” as used in this report has been arbitrarily limited to rates
having less than 10,000 cubic feet in the first block. Rates having
10,000 cubic feet or more in the first block have been designated as
“ straight line schedules.”
— This type of block schedule takes into
account either the customers load factor or the size or number of rooms
in the home. The number of cubic feet or therms in each block is
regulated by these conditions and therefore varies accordingly from
customer to customer.
— M a n y rate schedules include a fixed monthly charge
which is either a designated amount to be added to the charge for the
gas consumed or which includes the consumption of a limited number
of cubic feet. These are called service charges. For the purpose of
this study, a fixed charge covering the use of 1,000 cubic feet or less
of gas has been designated as a service charge. These service charges
are, as a rule, equivalent to minimum bills.
— The use of this term for explaining changes in city
indexes is restricted to indicate an increase or a decrease in the price
per unit of 1,000 cubic feet or per therm.
— This term indicates an increase or a decrease in
the number of cubic feet or therms included in one or more of the

Wright demand schedule.

Service charge.

Bate change.

Change in block.

blocks of a block meter schedule.
The city indexes presented in table 13 and the basic data used in
the computation of these indexes as shown in table 14 are discussed
on pages 2 and 6.
120580*—87----- 1




20
T able

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

13. —

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,

inclusive
[1923-25=100]
[M = Manufactured]
New England
F a ll R i v e r

B o s t o n (2 c o m p a n ie s )

Year and month
K in d
of
gas

M a n ch ester

30.6
10 .6
t h e r m s th e r m s

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

K in d
R ange
of
and
ga s
R ange
w a te r
h e a te r

K in d
Range
of
and
gas
Range
w a ter
h e a te r

10.6
30.6
th e r m s t h e r m s

Range

R ange
and
w ater
h e a te r

N et bill, average 1923-25.....................

$2.41

$ 6.9 5

$2.31

$ 6 .67

$ 2 .7 6

$ 7 .4 8

Price per therm, average 1923-25.

22.70

2 2 .7 1

2 1 . 8*

2 1 . 80

26 .0 0

2 4 .4 0

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0

1 09 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109.4
109.4
1 09 .4
1 09 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109.4
109 .4
109.4
109.4
109.4
109.4
109 .4
109.4
109.4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4
109 .4

89 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
89 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1

M ~
9 8 .2
March............... ............. .........
M
9 8 .2
Ju n e..-----------------------------------9 8 .2
M
September----------------------------M
9 8 .2
December-----------------------------M
9 8 .2
1927—
M arch......... ......... ............. ..
9 8 .2
M
J u n e .............................................
9 8 .2
M
September----------------------------9 8 .2
M
December____________________
M
9 8 .2
1928—
March-------------------------------M
9 8 .2
June__________________________
M
9 8 .2
September-----------------------------9 8 .2
M
December-----------------------------M
9 8 .2
1929— March_____________________
M
9 8 .2
June__________________________
, M
9 8 .2
September-----------------------------. M
101.9
December-----------------------------. M
101 .9
1930— March_____________________
M
101 .9
June--------------------------------------101 .9
. M
September___________________
101.9
. M
December-----------------------------101 .9
. M
1931—
M arch___________________
. M
101.9
June____ _____________________
101.9
. M
September___________________
M
101 .9
December___________________
101 .9
. M
1932— March_____________________
101 .9
. M
June_________________________
101 .9
. M
September___________________
M
101.9
December-----------------------------101.9
. M
1933—
March_____________________
. M
101.9
June--------------------------------------. M
101.9
September___________________
. M
101.9
December___________________
. M
101.9
1934—
March—_______ __________________________
. M
101.9
June__________________________
M
101.9
September__________________
. M
101.9
December___________________
. M
101.9
1935— March_____ _______________
. M
101.9
June------------ --------------------------. M
101.9
September___________________
. M
101.9
December___________________
M
101.9
1936—
M arch____________________
. M
101.9
June______________ ___________

9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
9 0 .2
8 3 .7
8 3 .7
8 3 .7
8 3 .7
8 3 .7
8 3 .7
8 1 .8
8 1 .8
8 1 .8
8 1 .8
8 1 .8

N et bill, June 1936...............................

$2. 45

$5 .6 9

$2. 53

Average price per therm June 1936.

23. 10

18. 61

23. 91

1926—

81.8
8 1 .8
8 1 .8
8 1 .8

81.8

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

109.4

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
9 7 .7
1 0 3 .2
1 03 .2
10 3 .2
10 3 .2
1 03 .2
10 3 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
103 .2
1 03 .2
103 .2
1 0 3 .2
103 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
10 3 .2
1 0 3 .2
1 03 .2
10 3 .2
10 3 .2
103 .2
103 .2
10 3 .2
1 0 3 .2
1 03 .2
1 0 3 .2
103 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2
1 03 .2

9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 7 .6
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4

$ 5 .9 4

$ 2 .8 5

$ 5 .67

19.40

26.80

18.50

M
M

M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

8 6.8
8 6.8
8 6.8
8 6.8
8 6.8
8 6.8
8 6.8
86.8
86.8
8 6.8
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9
7 5 .9

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
(F o r d e s c rip tio n o f ra te sch e d u le s a n d e x p la n a tio n o f te ch n ica l te rm s , see page 18.)
B o s to n (2 companies).— 1923-25: Straight line schedule. Rate decreases (i. e., a decrease in the price
per unit of 1,000 cubic feet) lowered the relatives from 102.9 to 98.8 for March 1924; and to 98.2 for June 1925.
D ec e m b e r 1929: Introduction of service charge and change in rate. S e p te m b e r 1932 and M a rc h 1934: Intro­
duction by the two companies at different dates of a separate block meter schedule available to customers
using major appliances In addition to a range.
F a ll R iv e r.— 1923-25: Block meter schedule. S ep te m b er 1929: Introduction of service charge and change
in block and rate.
M a n c h e s te r.— 1923-25: Block meter schedule with service charge. A rate decrease lowered the relatives
for March 1924 from 104.5 to 97.7 for range, and from 104.8 to 97.6 for range and water heater. M a rc h 1928:
Lower B. t. u. and changes in block, rate, and service charge. S e p te m b e r 1931: Introduction of a separate
block-meter schedule available to customers using major appliances in addition to a range. M a r c h 1934:
Change in block and rate.




21

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

T able

13.—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il 'prices o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued
[1 9 2 3 -2 5 = 1 0 0 ]
[ M = M a n u fa c t u r e d ]

N e w E n g la n d

N ew H aven

Y e a r an d m on th
K in d
of
gas

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25_________
1926— M a r c h ______ _________ _____ __________
J u n e ____________ ______________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1927— M a r c h . __________ _____________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1928— M a r c h . . . ______ _______________ _______
J u n e . . . _____ _________________________
S e p t e m b e r _____ ______________________
D e c e m b e r ________ _____ ______________
1929— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _____________ _____________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r - . ______ __________________
1930— M a r c h ______ __________________________
J u n e — __________________ ____________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____ _____ _________________
1931— M a r c h . . ___________ _________________
J u n e ___________ _______________________
S e p t e m b e r _____ _________ _____ _______
D e c e m b e r _______________
______ 1932— M a r c h . _______________________________
J u n e _______ _____ _____________________
S e p t e m b e r — _____ ______ ____________
D e c e m b e r -----------------------------------------1933— M a r c h _____ ___________________________
J u n e — ______ __________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r __________________ ________
1934— M a r c h . _______ ____ __________________
J u n e — ________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ________________
_________
1935— M a r c h _____ ___________________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________ __ ___________
1936— M a r c h _______ _______________________
J u n e _____ ______________________ _______
N e t b ill, J u n e 1936

.........................

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936 ____

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

P ro v id e n ce

10.6
30.6
th e r m s th e r m s

10.6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s

K in d
R ange
of
and
gas
Range
w a ter
h e a te r

K in d
Range
of
and
gas
R ange
w a ter
h e a te r

$2.47

N e t b ill, a v e r a g e 1923-25__________________

P o r t la n d , M a i n e

$ 6.3 9

23. 30

20. 90

9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4
9 7 .4

9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
97. 0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0
9 7 .0

$2. 41

$6.2 0

22 . 7(6

_______

$3.13

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

$ 8 .85

29.50

28. 90

9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 ,6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6
9 6 .6

9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7

$3.03

$ 6. 51

____ _

88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
88.0
7 3 .6
7 3 .6
7 3 .6
7 3 .6
73 .6
73 .6

28. 50

20. 3(6

10.6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s

21.30

R ange

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 2.66
25.10

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

$ 6 .7 3

22.0 0

97.1
9 7 .1
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8
9 6 .8

9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7
9 0 .7

$2. 57

$ 6 .1 0

24. 30

19. 90

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IO N S
N e w H a v e n .— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e c h a rg e . A ra te d ecrea se lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s
fo r M a r c h 1925 fr o m 101.3 t o 97.4 fo r ra n g e a n d fr o m 101.5 t o 97.0 for ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter.
P o r t la n d , M a i n e .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r sc h e d u le . M a r c h 1926: R a t e d ecrea se (i. e ., a d ecrea se in t h e
p r ic e p e r u n it o f 1,000 c u b i c f e e t ). D e c e m b e r 1926: I n t r o d u c t io n o f s tr a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e.
M a r c h 1935: I n t r o d u c t io n o f a se p a ra te b lo c k m e t e r s c h e d u le a v a ila b le t o c u s t o m e rs u s in g m a jo r a p p lia n c e s
in a d d it io n to a range.
P r o v id e n c e .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. D u e t o ra te d ecrea ses in J u n e 1923 a n d
M a r c h 1925 (i. e., a d ecrea se in t h e p r ic e p e r u n it o f 1,000 o u b ic fe e t), th e r e la tiv e s fo r th ese d a te s s h o w e d th e
f o llo w in g d o w n w a r d tr e n d s fr o m M a r c h 1923: R a n g e , 104.9, 101.0,
97.1;
105.6,

101.1, and 96.7.

September 1926;




Change in block and rate

and

range and water beater,

22
T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-^36
a b l e 13.— I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 8 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued
[1923-26= 100 ]
[ M = M a n u f a c t u r e d , X = M i x e d m a n u fa c t u r e d a n d n a tu r a l]

M id d le

Y ea r an d m on th
K in d
of
ga s

N ew a rk

30.6
10.6
th e r m s t h e r m s

30.6
10 .6
th erm s th erm s

K in d
Range
of
and
gas
Range
w a ter
h e a te r

Range
and
w ater
h e a te r

$ 2 .3 2

$6 .7 1

_____

2 3 .3 *

2 1 .9 *

2 1 .9 *

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
10 9 .0
109.0
109 .0
109.0
1 09 .0
109.0
1 09 .0
109 .0
109 .0
109 .0
109 .0
109 .0
1 0 9 .0
109 .0
109 .0
109.0
109 .0
109.0
1 09 .0
109 .0
109 .0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109 .0
109.0

9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3
9 8 .3

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
1 0 0 .1
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0.8
10 0 .6
10 0 .6
10 0 .6

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0

$ 2 . 21

$ 2 .69

7. 2*

2 5 .4 *

107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1

N e t b ill, J u n e 1936....................................

$ 0 .77

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936.

7 .2 *

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

R ange

$ 7 .1 2

107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1

M a r c h ........................................... .
J u n e . . .................................................
S e p t e m b e r ........................................ .
D e c e m b e r ..........................................
1927—
M a r c h ...........................................
J u n e . . .................................................
S e p t e m b e r .............. ..........................
D e c e m b e r ............... ..........................
1928—
M a r c h ............................................
J u n e ......................................................
S e p t e m b e r ........................................
D e c e m b e r .........................................
1929—
M a r c h ...........................................
J u n e .............. .......................................
S e p t e m b e r . . ..............................—
D e c e m b e r ..........................................
1930—
M a r c h ...........................................
J u n e .............. .......................................
S e p t e m b e r . . ....................................
D e c e m b e r ........ ................................
1931—
M a r c h ...........................................
J u n e ......................................................
S e p t e m b e r . . ....................................
D e c e m b e r . .................................. ..
1932—
M a r c h ...................................... ..
J u n e . . ........................... ...................
S e p t e m b e r .........................................
D e c e m b e r .........................................
1933—
M a r c h . . .......................................
J u n e .....................................................
S e p t e m b e r . . ................ ...................
D e c e m b e r ................. ........................
1934—
M a r c h . . ..................... .................
J u n e ------------- ----------- ----------------S e p t e m b e r . . ....................................
D e c e m b e r .......................... ............ ..
1935—
M a r c h . . ................................ ..
J u n e . . ...............................................
S e p t e m b e r . . ....................................
D e c e m b e r .........................................
1936—
M a r c h ......................... .................
J u n e . . ......................... ........................

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

K in d
Range
of
and
gas
R ange
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 2 .47

6 .7 *

1926—

( 12 c o m p a n ie s )

23. 3*

$ 2 .0 6

6 . 7*

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25—

N ew Y ork

B u ff a lo

$ 0 .7 2

N e t b i ll , a v e r a g e 1 9 2 3 - 2 5 . ................ .

A tla n tic

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

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

9 9 .8
9 9 .8
9 9 .8
9 9 .8
9 9 .8
9 9 .8
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 5 .4
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 5 .9
9 5 .9
9 5 .9
9 4 .7
9 0 .6
9 0 .6
9 0 .6

$ 6 .0 6

$2.35

$6.07

19.8*

22 . 1 *

1 9.9*

8 8.6
88.6
8 8.6
88.6
8 8 .6
88.6
8 8.6
8 8.6
8 8.6
8 8 .6
8 8 .6
8 8.6
8 8.6
88.6
8 8.6
8 8.6
8 8.6
88.6
8 8.6
88.6
88.6
88.6
8 8.6
8 8.6
88.6
8 5 .1
8 5 .1
8 5 .1

100.5
100 .5
100.5
1 00 .5
100 .5
100 .5
100 .5

1 0 1.1
10 1.1
10 0 .7
100.7
1 0 0 .7
100 .7
100 .3
100 .3
100.3
100.3
100.3
100.3
100 .3
102.4
102.4
102.4

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
B u ffa lo .— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . D u e t o a n a d ju s t m e n t in p r ic e p e r c u b i c fo o t for c o s t o f m a n u ­
fa c tu re th e r e la tiv e s r a n g e d f r o m 102.3 in M a r . 1923 to 99.6 in J u n e 1924. I n S e p t e m b e r 1924 w h e n t h e a d ju s t ­
m e n t w a s d is c o n t in u e d t h e r e la tiv e s s t o o d a t 98.9 M a r c h 1926: R a t e in crea se (i. e ., a n in cre a se in t h e p r ic e
p e r u n it o f 1,000 c u b i c fe e t).
N e w a r k .— 1923-25: S tr a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . A ra te d ecrea se l o w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fo r J u n e 1924 fr o m 102.4 t o
98.3. S e p t e m b e r 1929: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. D e c e m b e r 1935: C h a n g e
in b l o c k a n d rate.
N e w Y o r k (12 c o m p a n ie s ).— 1 9 2 3 -M a r c h 1927: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le s . J u n e 1 9 2 7 -S e p t e m b e r 1935C h a n g e s in r e la tiv e s ( w it h t h e e x c e p t io n o f D e c e m b e r 1934) w e re d u e t o t h e in t r o d u c t i o n o f b l o c k m e te r
s c h e d u le s w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e, o r t h e in t r o d u c t io n o f n e w stra ig h t lin e s c h e d u le s w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg es. D e ­
c e m b e r 1934: A sales ta x o f 2 p e r c e n t b e c a m e e ffe c t iv e . D e c e m b e r 1935: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le s a d v a n t a ­
a p p lia n c e s
p ercen t o f
c u s to m e rs ,

ges!# to tboi© customers using major




were mad© available to about 40

the

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
T

a b l e

13.—

23

I n d e x e s o f re ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 8 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued
[1923-25=» 100]
[M = M a n u fa c tu r e d , N = N a tu r a l]

M id d le A tla n tic

P itts b u rg h
(3 c o m p a n ie s )

P h ila d e lp h ia

R och ester

Y ea r an d m on th

10.6
30.6
th e rm s th e rm s
K in d
of
gas

R ange

R ange
and
w a ter
h e a te r

N e t b ill, a v e r a g e 1923-25__________________

$ 2.00

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25................

18.9#

10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
100 . 0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 . 00
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0

9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0
9 0 .0

9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
9 5 .0
86 7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7
8 6 .7

N e t b i ll , J u n e 19 3 6 .______ ________________

$1 .8 0

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936 _____

17.00

1926—M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1927— M a r c h ............— .......... ................................
J u n e ......... ......................................................
S e p t e m b e r ................................................. ..
D e c e m b e r . ..................................................
1928—M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ..................... ..............................
929— M a r c h ............................. ..............................
J u n e ................................... ............................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r . ............................. ...................
1930—M a r c h . ........................................................ ..
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1931— M a r c h . . ........................................................
J u n e ......... ..................... ................................
S e p t e m b e r ......................... ..........................
D e c e m b e r _____________________ _____ _
1932—M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e .................. ........ .....................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r . ........................ ........................
1933— M a r c h .................. ................... ................... ..
J u n e ............................. ..................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ....................................................
1934—M a r c h . .................................... ................... ..
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ........................... .......................
D e c e m b e r . .................................................
1935— M a r c h _____ _________________ _________
J u n e . ..............................................................
S e p t e m b e r ....... ................................ ..........
D e c e m b e r . .................... ............................
1936—M a r c h ................ ..................... .....................
J u n e ................ ................... ............................

M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

R ange

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$5. 77

$ 1.0 0

18. 90

9 .4 0

10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
100.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0.0

108.6
108.6
108.6
108. 6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108 6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6
108.6

$5. 01

$ 1 . 00

16 .4 0

9. 40

.

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

30.6
10.6
th erm s th erm s
K in d
of
gas

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

K in d
of
gas

R ange

R ange
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$1. 51

$1.99

$ 5 .7 5

4. 90

18.70

18.70

9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2

9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7
9 6 .7

$1. 64

$1.97

$5. 56

5. 30

18. 60

18.20

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
P h ila d e lp h ia .— 1923-25: S tr a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . M a r c h 1931: R a t e d ecrea se (i. e., a d ecrea se in t h e p r ic e
p e r u n it o f 1,000 c u b i c fe e t). D e c e m b e r 1932: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b lo c k m e t e r s c h e d u le .
P it t s b u r g h (3 c o m p a n ie s ).— 1923-J u n e 1936: S tra ig h t lin e s c h e d u le s . R e la t iv e s fo r ra n g e fo r t h e e n t ire
p e r io d are b a s e d o n m in im u m ch a rg e. D u e t o rate in crea ses (i. e ., a n in crea se in t h e p r ice p e r u n it o f 1,000
c u b i c fe e t), t h e r e la tiv e s for ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter s h o w e d t h e fo llo w in g : M a r c h 1923, 90.5; D e c e m b e r
1923, 92.3; a n d S e p t e m b e r 1924, 108.6.
R o c h e s t e r .— 1923-25: S tr a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . A ra te d e cre a se lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fr o m 104.1 t o 99.2 for
S e p t e m b e r 1923. J u n e 1933: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le a ffe c t in g t h e r e la tiv e fo r r a n g e a n d
w a te r h ea ter.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

24
T

a b l e

13.—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued
192 3-2 5=1 00]
[ M = M a n u f a c t u r e d , X = m i x e d m a n u fa c t u r e d a n d n a tu ra l]

M id d le A t la n t ic

E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l

S c r a n to n

Y ea r and m o n th

C h ic a g o

10.6
30.6
th e r m s th e r m s
K in d
of
gas

C in c in n a t i

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s
K in d
of
gas

10 .6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

K in d
Range
of
and
ga s
w a ter
h e a te r

R ange

R ange
and
w a te r
h ea ter

N e t b ill, a v e r a g e 1923-25__________________

$3.01

$7.98

$2.13

$ 5 .75

$0.79

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25................

28.3 0

26.10

2 0 .10

18.80

7 .4 0

5 .5 0

9 9 .8
9 9 .8
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101.5
103.0
103 .0
103 .0
103.0
103.0
103. 0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103. 0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0
103.0

9 9 .8
9 9 .8
8 7 .3
87 .3
8 7 .3
87 .3
87.3
87.3
87 .3
8 7 .3
8 7 .3
87 .3
8 7 .3
87 .3
8 7 .3
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7

9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 9 .4
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
9 5 .6
91.3
91 .3
9 1 .3
9 1 .3
91 .3
9 1 .3
9 1 .3
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
90 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8
9 0 .8

9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
8 9 .1
89 .1
89 .1
89 .1
89 .1
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7
8 1 .7

114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7

154 .0
1 5 4 .0
154 .0
154 .0
154 .0
1 54 .0
154 .0
154 .0
154 .0
154 .0
154.0
154. 0
154 .0
154 .0
154.0
154.0
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156 .6
156 .6
156 .6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156 .6
156.6
156.6
156.6
156.6
144.6
144.6
144.6
144.6
144.6

$3.10

$7.08

$1.94

$4. 69

$0.91

$2 .4 5

29.20

23.10

18. 30

15. 30

8 . 60

8.00

1926 — M a r c h , . ------------- ------------------- -------- J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1927 — M a r c h . , . -------------------------------------------J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1928 — M a r c h , __________ ___________ _____ _
J u n e ______________ ____________________
S e p t e m b e r _____ __
_____ __________
D e c e m b e r _____ ______________________
1929— M a r c h --------------- ---------------------------------J u n e . , _______ ____
_________________
S e p t e m b e r ________________ _ . . . . . .
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1930— M a r c h — ______ _______________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r _______
_________________
D e c e m b e r _______________
______
1931— M a r c h ___________ ___________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________________
D e c e m b e r _______________
________
1932— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _____________________ ___________
S e p t e m b e r ______________ ___________
D e c e m b e r __________ . . . . . . ________
1933— M a r c h . . ______ ____ __________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r _________________ _________
D e c e m b e r _______________ ___________
1934— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _____ __________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1935— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _____ _____________________________
S e p t e m b e r ....... ...............
_ _________
D e c e m b e r ________ ____________________
1936—M a r c h . _____________ _________________
J u n e __________________ ________________
N e t b ill, J u n e 1936

.................. .....................

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936..........

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M

M
M
M
M

M
M
M

88.7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
88 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
8 8 .7
88.7

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

R ange

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X

X
X
X
X

R ange

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 1 .7 0

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
S c r a n t o n .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . A rate d ecrea se lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fo r M a r c h 1924 fr o m
104.4 t o 97.8 for ra n g e a n d fr o m 103.6 t o 98.2 fo r ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. M a r c h 1926: L o w e r B . t. u .
S e p t e m b e r 1926: I n t r o d u c t io n o f se r v ic e c h a r g e a n d c h a n g e in ra te. D e c e m b e r 1929: L o w e r B . t. u .
C h ic a g o .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. A ra te d ecrea se lo w e r e d S e p t e m b e r 1923
r e la tiv e s f r o m 103.1 t o 99.4 for ra n g e a n d fr o m 103.9 t o 99.2 for ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. J u n e 1928: I n t r o ­
d u c t io n o f str a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. D e c e m b e r 1931: C h a n g e fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d t o m ix e d
g a s w it h h ig h e r B . t. u ., in t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k m e te r sc h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e, a n d c o n s u m p t io n m e a s u r e d
o n t h e r m a l ba sis. S e p t e m b e r 1933: C h a n g e in b l o c k a n d ra te, a n d in t r o d u c t io n o f s e p a ra te b l o c k m e te r
s c h e d u le a v a ila b le t o c u s t o m e r s u s in g m a jo r a p p lia n c e s in a d d it i o n t o a ra n g e .
C in c in n a t i.— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r sc h e d u le . R e la t iv e s for ra n g e are b a s e d o n m in im u m ch a rg e.
C h a n g e fr o m n a tu r a l t o m ix e d gas, ra te c h a n g e , a n d d is c o n t in u a n c e o f t h e u s e o f t h e m in im u m ch a r g e for
c o m p u t in g r e la tiv e s fo r ra n g e in cre a se d t h e J u n e 1925 r e la tiv e s fr o m 95.2 t o 114.3 for ra n g e, a n d fr o m 82.0
t o 154,0 fo r r a n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. M a r c h 1930: L o w e r B . t. u . J u n e 1935: C h a n g e in b lo c k a n d rate.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
T able

13,—

25

I n d e x e s o f re ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 f
in c l u s i v e — Continued
[1923-25=100]
[M = M a n u fa c tu r e d , N = N a tu r a l]
E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l
C o lu m b u s

C le v e la n d
Y e a r an d m on th
K in d
of
gas

D e t r o it

(2 c o m p a n ie s )

10.6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s

10.6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s

K in d
of
R ange
and
gas
R ange
w a te r
h ea ter

K in d
R ange
of
and
gas
R ange
w a te r
h e a te r

10.6
30.6
th e r m s th e r m s

R ange

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r
$ 4 .40

N e t b ill, a v e r a g e 1 9 2 3 - 2 5 .. . ......................... ..

$0.92

$1.71

$0.53

$1.38

$ 1 .56

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e ra g e 1923-25................

8 . 70

5 .6 0

5 .0 0

4. 50

14. 70

14.40

106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106 .4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106 .4
106.4
106.4
106.4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4
8 1 .4

1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
11 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6

141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141 .8
141.8
141 .8
141 .8
141 .8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141 .8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141 .8
141.8
141 .8
141 .8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8
141.8

115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8

10 1.1
10 1.1
1 0 1.1
10 1.1
1 0 1.1
10 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
10 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
10 1.1
10 1.1
10 1.1
10 1.1

103. 7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103. 7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103 .7
103 .7
103 .7
103 .7
103.7
103 .7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103.7
103 .7
103.7
103 .7
103.7

9 8 .5
9 8 .5
9 8 .5
9 8 .5
9 8 .5
101.5
101.5
101.5
101. 5
101.5
101.5
101.5
109.4
109.4
109.4
109.4
109.4

1 0 1.1
1 0 1.1
10 1.1
10 1.1
10 1.1

$0. 75

$1.43

$0. 75

$1.54

$1.71

$4.93

7. 10

4. 70

7.1 0

5 .0 0

16.10

16.10

1926— M a r c h ______ ________
_____________
J u n e . . ..................... . . . ____________
S e p t e m b e r ______ __ _ . ._ _________
D e c e m b e r _____ ______________________
1927— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e . . ....................... .....................................
S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r ............................................. ..
1928— M a r c h . ___________ ____________________
J u n e --------------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r _____________________ _.
D e c e m b e r _____ ________________ _____
1929— M a r c h . . _______ ______________________
J u n e ------ ---------- ------------------------------ S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r _____ ______________________
1930— M a r c h . -----------------------------------------------J u n e . . _______ ________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r _____________________
____
1931— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e --------- ------------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r _____________________ _____
D e c e m b e r _____ _________ ____________
1932— M a r c h _______ ________________________
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r ______________________ _____
1933— M a r c h . ----------------------------------------------J u n e --------- -----------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r ------ ------------ ----------------------D e c e m b e r _____ _____ ________________
1934— M a r c h _____ ___________________________
J u n e -------------- ------------------------------ . . .
S e p t e m b e r ____ ____ _________ __
.
D e c e m b e r __________________ _________
1935— M a r c h __________________ ________
J u n e __________________ _____
_____
S e p t e m b e r .. __________ _ . _________
D e c e m b e r . -------------------------------------1936— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e ________ _______________________ .

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N e t b i ll J u n e 1936.----------- --------------------------A v e r a g e p r ice p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936

8 3 .6
8 3 .6
8 3 .6
8 3 .6
8 3 .6
8 3 .6
8 3 .0

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1.0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
1 0 1 .0
111.6
111.6
1 11.6
111.6
111.6
111. 6
111.6
111.6
111.6
111.6
1 1 1.6
111.6
1 1 1.6
1 1 1.6

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

104.1
104.1
104.1
104.1
104.1
104.1
104.1

1 12 .2
1 1 2 .2
1 12 .2
1 12 .2
1 1 2 .2

E X P L A N A T IO N OF C H A N G E S A F FE C T IN G R E L A TIV E S
Cleveland.— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le .

M a r c h 1923 r e la tiv e fo r ra n g e b a s e d o n m in im u m ch a rg e.
D u e t o d is c o n t in u a n c e o f t h e u s e o f m in im u m c h a rg e fo r c o m p u t in g r e la tiv e s for ra n g e, ch a n g e s in b l o c k a n d
ra te, a n d i n t r o d u c t io n o f a s e r v ic e ch a rg e, t h e J u n e 1923 r e la tiv e s in cre a se d fr o m 81.4 t o 101.2 for ra n g e, a n d
fr o m 65.1 t o 102.5 fo r r a n g e a n d w a t e r h e a te r. R a t e in crea se a d v a n c e d D e c e m b e r 1925 re la tiv e s to 106.4
for ra n g e a n d 110.6 for r a n g e a n d w a t e r h e a te r. December 1934: C h a n g e in b l o c k a n d ra te a n d d is c o n t in ­
u a n ce o f s e r v ic e ch a rg e. R e la t iv e s fo r ra n g e a g a in b a s e d o n m in im u m ch a rg e.

Columbus (2 c o m p a n ie s ).— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . A ra te in crea se a n d th e u se o f t h e m in im u m
c h a rg e fo r c o m p u t in g r e la tiv e s fo r ra n g e in c re a s e d t h e J u n e 1925 r e la tiv e s fr o m 86.1 t o 141.8 for ra n g e a n d
fr o m 94.7 t o 115.8 for ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. March 1927: I n t r o d u c t io n o f stra ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h n o
c h a n g e in t h e m in im u m ch a rg e. March 1933: R a t e in crea se a ffe c t in g a p p r o x im a t e ly 70 p e r c e n t o f to ta l
c u sto m e rs.
Detroit.— 1923-25: S tra ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . L o w e r B .t .u . a n d i n t r o d u c t io n o f s e r v ic e ch a rg e for J u n e 1924
in cre a s e d t h e re la tiv e s f r o m 89.4 t o 107.5 for ra n g e a n d fr o m 91.7 t o 106.0 fo r r a n g e a n d w a te r h ea ter.
March
1926: D is c o n t in u a n c e o f s e r v ic e ch a rg e. June 1932; R a t e d ecrea se. September 1933: S ales ta x o f 3 p e r ­
c e n t b e c a m e e ffe c t iv e . June 1935; R a t e in crea se.




26

T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
able

1 3 .—

I n d e x e s o f re ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
in c l u s i v e — Continued
[1923-25=-100]
(M = M a n u fa c tu r e d , N = N a tu r a l]

E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l

I n d ia n a p o lis

Y ea r an d m o n th
K in d
of
gas

M ilw a u k e e

P e o r ia

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

10.6
30.6
th e r m s t h e r m s

K in d
of
R ange
gas
and
Range
w a ter
h e a te r

K in d
R ange
of
and
gas
R ange
w a ter
h e a te r

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

Range

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 2 .1 0

$ 6 .06

$1.74

$4 .6 6

$ 2 .2 6

$ 6 .50

19. 80

19.8(5

16.5(5

15.2(5

21.3(5

21.30

9 3 .0
9 3 .0
9 3 .0
9 3 .0
9 3 .0
9 3 .0
84 .1
8 4 .1
84 .1
84 .1
8 4 .1
84 .1
8 4 .1
84 .1
84.1
84 .1
84 .1
8 4 .1
84 .1
8 4 .1
84 .1
84.1
8 4 .1
84.1
84 .1
84.1
84 .1
8 4 .1
84.1
84.1
8 4 .1
8 4 .1
8 4 .1
8 4 .1
84.1
8 4 .1
8 4 .1
84.1
8 4 .1
84.1
84.1
7 9 .7

93.
93.
93.
93.
93.
93.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
84.
79.

9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2

9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0

10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0

10 0 .0

_____________________

$1. 67

$4.83

$1.73

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1938_____

15. 80

15.8(5

16. 3(5

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25_________
1926— M a r c h — ..............................- .......... .............
J u n e ........................... ....................................
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r .................................. .................
1927— M a r c h ............................. ..........................—
J u n e ..............................................................S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ................... ................................
1928— M a r c h ...........................................................
J u n e ................ ............................................. S e p t e m b e r — - ................................... ........
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1929— M a r c h ......................... ..................................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ........................... .......................
D e c e m b e r ........................................... ........
1939—M a r c h . .................. ......................................
J u n e .................. ............................ ...............
S e p t e m b e r ................ ........ ..................... ....
D e c e m b e r -------------- ---------------------------1931— M a r c h . . -------- ----------- ------------------------J u n e --------------------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ..................... ........ .....................
1932— M a r c h — _______ ____________________ .
J u n e ......................... ......................................
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ................................................
1933— M a r c h .............. .....................................—
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ............................................._
D e c e m b e r ....................................................
1934— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e .......................................... .....................
S e p t e m b e r _______ ___________________
D e c e m b e r _________ ______ ___________
1935— M a r c h ................................................... ........
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ....................................................
1936— M a r c h ................ ............ ..............................
J u n e ................................................................
N e t h ill,

June 1936

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0
9 4 .0

79 .1
7 9 .1
79 .1
7 9.1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
79 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
79 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
79 .1
7 9 .1
7 9 .1
7 7 .1
7 7 .1
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9
7 1 .9

$4. 61

$ 2 .1 2

$ 4 .67

15.1(5

20.00

15.30

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
I n d ia n a p o lis .— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . R a t e d ecrea ses (i. e d e c r e a s e s in th e p r ice p e r u n it o f 1,000
c u b i c feet) lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fr o m 106.3 t o 101.9 in J u n e 1923 a n d t o 97.4 in S e p t e m b e r 1924. M a r c h 1926:
R a t e d ecrea se. S e p t e m b e r 1927: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . J u n e 1936: R a t e decrea se.
M il w a u k e e . — 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. A ra te d ecrea se l o w e r e d t h e in d e x e s
o r S e p t e m b e r 1923 fr o m 103.9 t o 99.2 fo r ra n g e a n d fr o m 104.9 t o 99.0 for r a n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter.
P e o r ia .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . J u n e 1926: I n t r o d u c t io n o f W r ig h t - d e m a n d s c h e d u le a v a ila b le
to c u s t o m e r s u s in g m a jo r a p p lia n c e s in a d d it io n t o a ra n g e. S e p t e m b e r 1931: I n t r o d u c t io n o f m e a s u r e m e n t
o n a th e r m a l b a sis. M a r c h 1932: C h a n g e fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d t o n a tu r a l gas w it h h ig h e r B . t . u ., a n d c h a n g e
in b l o c k and ra te for range, and in ra te (i. e., c h a n g e in p r ic e p e r t h e r m ) fo r ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

T

27

a b l e 13. — I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
in c l u s i v e — Continued
[1 9 2 3 -2 5 -1 0 0 ]
[M = * M a n u f a c t u r e d , N — N a t u r a l,

X —M ix e d

m a n u fa c t u r e d a n d n a t u r a l]

E a s t N o r t h C e n tr a l

W e s t N o r t h C e n tr a l

S p r in g fie ld , 111.

10.6

30.6
t h e r m s th e rm s

Y e a r an d m on th
K in d
of
gas

R ange

R ange
and
w a te r
h ea ter

K an sas C ity

M in n e a p o l is

10.6

10.6

30.6
th e r m s t h e r m s

th e r m s
K in d
K in d
of
of
R ange
and
ga s
gas R a n g e
R ange
w a ter
h e a te r

30.6
th erm s
R ange
and
w a ter
h e a te r

N e t b i ll , a v e r a g e 1923-25..................................

$ 2 .5 5

$7.34

$ 1 .3 7

$ 3 .10

$ 1 .75

$ 5 .0 3

P r i c e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25................

24.00

24.00

12.90

10 . 10

16.4^

16 .4 0

9 9 .7
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 1 .6
9 1 .6
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
8 3 .3
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0
7 5 .0

9 9 .7
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2.3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
9 2 .3
6 9 .9
6 9 .9
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .7
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5
6 3 .5

9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 8 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2
9 9 .2

9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
9 9 .9
100 .9
100 .9
100 .9
100 .9

9 5 .3
107 .2
1 0 5 .0
105 .0

9 5 .3
1 07 .2
105 .0
105.0

N e t b i ll , J u n e 1936...............................................

$1. 91

$4 .66

$ 1 .3 6

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936 ____

18.00

15.20

12.80

1926— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ............................. ...... ...............
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1927— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ....................................................... ........
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r . .................................................
1928— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r - .................................................
D e c e m b e r ......................... ..........................
1929— M a r c h ...........................................................
J u n e ...................... .........................................
S e p t e m b e r ............................................ ..
D e c e m b e r ............................................... ..
1930— M a r c h .
_ ......................... .....................
J u n e ................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ............................................... ..
1931— M a r c h — ........................................................
J u n e .................. .............................................
S e p t e m b e r ............................... ...................
D e c e m b e r ....................................................
1932— M a r c h ......... .......... .......... ............................
J u n e — ......................... .............................. ..
S e p t e m b e r __________________ _________
D e c e m b e r . . .............. ..................... ..........
1933— M a r c h — ................ .....................................
J u n e — ........................... ..................... ..........
S e p t e m b e r ........................................ ..........
D e c e m b e r . .......... .......................................
1934—M a r c h — ....................... _ _ _ ..........................
J u n e .............................................. .................
S e p t e m b e r . . _____ ____________ _______
D e c e m b e r _________________ __________
1935— M a r c h _________________________ _______
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ________________________ _ .
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1936— M a r c h ________ ___________ _____ _____
J u n e ______________ ______________ . . .

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M •
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N

N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N

N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M.
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

1 0 2 .8

10 2 .8

106 .1
103.9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
11 8 .2
11 8 .2
118 .2
118 .2
118 .2
11 8 .2
1 18 .2
118 .2
118 .2
11 8 .2
118 .2
118 .2
118 .2
11 8 .2
118.2
118 .2
11 8 .2
118 .2
118 .2
11 8 .2

1 1 2 .1
112 .1

106.1
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
9 9 .5
9 9 .5
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
9 6 .4
8 8 .9
8 8 .9

110 .5
108.9
108 .9

8 4 .8
8 4 .8

$ 3 .1 2

$ 1 .9 0

$4. 27

10 .2 0

17.90

13.90

X
X
X
X
X

86.8

E X P L A N A T IO N OF C H A N G E S AF FE CT IN G R EL ATIV ES
Springfield, 111.— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . A ra te d ecrea se lo w e r e d th e r e la tiv e s fo r J u n e 1923
fr o m 103.4 t o 99.7. June 1926: R a t e d ecrea se. September 1931: I n t r o d u c t io n o f m e a s u r e m e n t o n a t h e r m a l
ba sis, a n d th e in t r o d u c t io n o f a W r ig h t -d e m a n d s c h e d u le a v a ila b le t o c u s t o m e r s u s in g m a jo r a p p lia n c e s in
a d d it io n t o a ra n g e. March 1932: C h a n g e fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d to n a t u r a l gas w it h h ig h e r B . t. u . a n d c h a n g e
in b l o c k a n d ra te for ra n g e a n d in ra te fo r r a n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. June 1934: C h a n g e in b l o c k a n d ra te
fo r ra n g e, a n d c h a n g e t o sep a ra te b l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le a v a ila b le t o c u s t o m e rs u s in g ra n g e a n d o t h e r m a jo r
a p p lia n c e s .

Kansas City.— 1923-25: S tr a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. A c h a n g e t o b l o c k m e t e r sch ed u l®
w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e lo w e r e d th e re la tiv e s for J u n e 1924 fr o m 102.4 t o 98.2 for ra n g e a n d fr o m 100.2 t o 99.9 fo r
r a n g e a n d w a te r h ea ter. S e p t e m b e r 1935: S ales ta x o f 1 p e r c e n t b e c a m e e ffe c tiv e .
Minneapolis.— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h a d ju s t m e n t fo r c o s t o f m a n u fa c tu r e . R e la t iv e s s h o w
a gen era l d o w n w a r d t r e n d fr o m 106.4 t o 94.3. June 1926: L o w e r B . t. u. June 1930: I n t r o d u c t io n o f
b lo c k m e te r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e c h a rg e a n d d is c o n t in u a n c e o f a d ju s t m e n t for c o s t o f m a n u fa c tu r e . June
1935: C h a n g e fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d t o m ix e d gas w it h h ig h e r B , t- u ., $ p d c h a n g e in b lo c k , rate, a n d s e r v ic e
ch a rg e.
1935 a n d
1936: R a t e d ecreases,
"
’
“

December




M a rc h

28

T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
able

1 3 ,—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued
[1923-2 5 = 1 0 0 ]
[ M = M a n u f a c t u r e d , X = M i x e d m a n u fa c t u r e d a n d n a tu r a l]

W e s t N o r t h C e n tr a l

O m aha

Y ea r and m on th

10.6
K in d
of
gas

S t. L o u is

30.6

10.6

S t. P a u l

30.6

10.6
30.6
th erm s th erm s

t h e r m s th e r m s

th erm s th erm s

K in d
R ange
of
and
gas
Range
w a ter
h ea ter

K in d
Range
of
and
gas
Range
w a ter
h e a te r

R ange

R ange
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$4.56

N e t b i ll , a v e r a g e 1923-25........................... —

$2.23

$6.03

$1.77

$5.10

$1.58

P r ic e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1923-25. ............

21. 10

19.70

16.70

16.70

14.90

14.90

96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
88.6
88.6
88.6
88.6
88.6
8 8.6
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
71.5
71.5
68.4
68.4
68.4
68.4
68.4
68.4
68.4
68.4

95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
87.2
87.2
87.2
87.2
87.2
87.2
80.5
80.5
80.5
80.5
80.5
80.5
74.7
74.7
74.7
74.7
66.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
10 0 .0
100.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.5
121.5
121.5
121.5
121.5
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
114.9
114.9
114.9
114.9

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.5
103.5
103.5
103.5
103.5
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
94.6
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5

109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
1*09.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8

109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8
109.8

$1. 53

$3.51

$2.03

$4.87

$1.74

$5.00

14. U

11.50

19. 20

15. 90

16.40

16.40

1926— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e . . --------- ------------- -----------------------

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r _____ ___________________ —
1927— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e -------------- ---------- --------------------S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________

1928— M a r c h _______________________________
J u n e — ______ __________________________
S e p t e m b e r — ................ ........ .... ...............
D e c e m b e r _____ _________________ —.
1929— M a r c h . .......... .............. ........... .......... .......
J u n e _________________ _______ ______
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ________________ _________
930— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e --------------------------- --------------------S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ______ _____________________
1931— M a r c h . . . ______________ _____ ________
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r _______ ____________________
D e c e m b e r ________
_________________
1932— M a r c h . _______ _______________________
J u n e . ---------------------------------------------S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r . ___________________________
1933— M a r c h __________________________ _____
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r _________ ___________________
1934— M a r c h ___________________ _____ _______
J u n e . . . ______ _____ ___________________
S e p t e m b e r ____________________________
D e c e m b e r . . ______ __________________
1935— M a r c h . . __________________ _______ _
J u n e ________________ _________________
S e p t e m b e r __________________________
D e c e m b e r _____________________ _______
1936— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e ............................................................
N e t b ill, J u n e 1936.........................................
A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936_____

—

66.4
66.4
66.4
66.0
66.0
66.0
66.0
66.0
66.0
6 2 .2

62.2
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

E X P L A N A T IO N O F C H A N G E S A F F E C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
O m a h a .— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. L o w e r B . t. u . in S e p t e m b e r 1924 in ­
cre a se d t h e r e la tiv e s fr o m 101.1 t o 103.1 fo r ra n g e a n d fr o m 10 1.8 to 103.8 fo r w a t e r h ea ter. I n M a r c h 1925
a ra te d e cre a se lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s t o 96.8 for ra n g e a n d 95.5 for ra n g e a n d w a t e r h ea ter. S e p t e m b e r 1927:
R a t e d ecrea se (i. e., a d ecrea se in t h e p r ic e p e r u n it o f 1,000 c u b i c fe e t). M a r c h 1929: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k
m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e. S e p t e m b e r 1930: C h a n g e in b l o c k a n d ra te. S e p t e m b e r 1931: R a t e
d ecrea se. S e p t e m b e r 1932 a n d M a r c h 1934: C h a n g e s in b l o c k a n d rate. S e p t e m b e r 1934: I n t r o d u c t io n
o f stra ig h t lin e s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e ch a rg e.
S t . L o u is .— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . J u n e 1929: I n t r o d u c t io n o f s e r v ic e c h a rg e a n d c h a n g e in
b lo c k a n d rate. J u n e 1931: I n t r o d u c t io n o f n e w b l o c k m e te r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e c h a rg e , a n d c o n s u m p ­
t io n m e a s u r e d o n t h e r m a l b a sis. S e p t e m b e r 1932: C h a n g e fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d t o m ix e d gas w it h h ig h e r
B . t. u . a n d ra te decrea se. S e p t e m b e r 1935: S ales ta x o f 1 p e r c e n t b e c a m e e ffe c tiv e .
S t . P a u l.— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . H ig h e r B . t. u . a n d a ra te d ecrea se in J u n e 1923 lo w e r e d
t h e r e la tiv e s fro m 119.5 t o 95,1. L o w e r e d B , t. u . in M a r c h 1925 in c re a s e d th e r e la tiv e s t o 103.7. M a r c h
1926: R a t e in crea se,




C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R IC E S O F G A S, 1 9 23 -3 6
T a b l e 1 3 , — Indexes

29

of retail prices of gas, by cities, March 1926 to June 1986,
inclusive— Continued
[1923-25= 100 ]
[M = M a n u fa c tu r e d , N = N a tu r a l]

S o u th A tla n tic

A t la n t a
Y ea r an d m on th

B a lt im o r e

10.6
30.6
th e r m s th e r m s
K in d
of
gas

R ange

Range
ancf
w a te r
hea ter

$ 2 .90
27. 30
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
108.4
108.4
108.4
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0.3
7 0 .3
70 .3
7 0 .3
70 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
7 0 .3
6 1 .4
6 1 .4
6 1 .4
6 1 .4
61 .4
6 1 .4

9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
9 8 .4
7 9 .0
7 9 .0
7 9 .0
5 0 .7
5 0 .7
5 0 .7
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
5 0 .5
4 5 .0
4 5 .0
4 5 .0
4 5 .0
4 5 .0
4 5 .0

N e t b i ll , J u n e 1936.............................................

$1.78

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936_____

16.80

N e t b i ll , a v e r a g e 1923-25- _

.........................

P r ic e p e r th e r m , a v e r a g e 1923 -2 5 -............
1926— M a r c h — ______________________________
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r _____ ______________________
D e c e m b e r , ___________ _______ ____
1927— M a r c h ______________
. __________
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r _________________ _________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1928— M a r c h . __________ _________________ _
J u n e ...
___________ __________ _
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r ____ _______________________
1929— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e __________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r . _______ ____________________
1930— M a r c h _____________________________ __
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ______________ _____________
D e c e m b e r _____ ______________________
1931— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _______ ___________________________
S e p t e m b e r _________________ _________
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1932— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e _______ _____ _____________________
S e p t e m b e r . ____________________ —
D e c e m b e r ___________ ________________
1933— M a r c h _____ ___________________________
J u n e ___________________________ _______
S e p t e m b e r ....... .......... ................... .............
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1934— M a r c h - __________________ __________
J u n e ___________________________________
S e p t e m b e r ___________________________
D e c e m b e r _______ _____________________
1935— M a r c h ________________________________
J u n e — _____ __________________________
S e p t e m b e r ____ _____ _________________
D e c e m b e r _________
— __ ................
1936— M a r c h ________ ____________ _____
J u n e ___________________________________

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

C h a r le s t o n , S . C .

10.6
30.6
th e r m s th e r m s
K in d
of
gas

10.6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s
K in d
of
gas

R ange

R ange
and
w a ter
h ea ter

$8 . 38

$1.83

$ 4 .84

$ 3 .02

$ 8.7 3

27. 30

17.20

15.80

28.50

28. 50

9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6
9 8 .6

9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7
9 8 .7

100 .5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100 .5
100 .5
100.5
100.5
100 .5
100.5
106.5
100 .5
100.5
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4

100.5
100.5
100 .5
100.5
100 .5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 9 .0
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .6
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 9 .4
8 2 .3
8 2 .3
8 2 .3
8 2 .3
8 2 .3
8 2 .3
8 2 .3

$3. 77

$1.80

$4. 78

$ 2 .7 0

$7.19

12.30

17.00

15.60

25. 50

23. 50

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

R ange

Range
and
w a te r
h e a te r

E X P L A N A T IO N OF C H A N G E S A F FE C T IN G R EL ATIV ES
Atlanta.— 1923-25: B l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le . A ra te d ecrea se in D e c e m b e r 1923 lo w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fro m
104.8 t o 98.4. June 1929: I n t r o d u c t io n o f s e r v ic e ch a rg e a n d c h a n g e in b l o c k a n d rate. March 1930: C h a n g e
fr o m m a n u fa c t u r e d t o n a tu r a l gas w it h h ig h e r B . t. u ., c h a n g e in b l o c k a n d ra te, a n d d ecrea se in s e r v ic e
ch a rg e. December 1930: C h a n g e in. b l o c k a n d ra te. March 1935: D e c r e a s e in ra te a n d s e r v ic e ch a rg e.

Baltimore.— 1923-25: W r ig h t d e m a n d s c h e d u le . A rate d ecrea se (i. e., a d ecrea se in th e p r ic e p e r u n it o f
1,000 c u b i c feet) l o w e r e d t h e r e la tiv e s fo r S e p t e m b e r 1923 fr o m 106.7 t o 98.6 for ra n g e a n d fr o m 106.7 to 98.7
fo r ra n g e a n d w a t e r h e a te r. December 1929: C h a n g e to b lo c k m e t e r s c h e d u le d i d n o t a ffe c t p rice .
Charleston, S . C.— 1923-25: S t r a ig h t lin e s c h e d u le . L o w e r B . t. u . fo r M a r c h 1924 in cre a s e d t h e re la tiv e s
fr o m 99.0 t o 100.5. September 1929: H ig h e r B . t. u . June 1931 a n d March 1934: R a t e decrea ses. Decem­
ber 1934: I n t r o d u c t io n o f b l o c k m e t e r s c h e d u le w it h s e r v ic e c h a rg e a v a ila b le t o c u s t o m e r s u s in g m a jo r
a p p lia n c e s in a d d it io n t o ra n ge.




30
T

C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R IC E S O F G A S, 19 2 3 -5 6
able

1 3 .— Indexes

of retail prices of gas, by cities, March 1926 to June 19S6t
inclusive— Continued
[1923-25=100]
[ M —Manufactured]
South Atlantic

J a c k s o n v ille

Y e a r and m o n th

10 .6
30.6
th erm s th erm s
K in d
of
gas

Range

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 3 .90

$10 .36

3 6 .80

3 3 .8 0

105.4
105.4
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103 .2
103 .2
103.2
103.2
103 .2
103.2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103.2
103.2
103 .2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103.2
1 03 .2
103 .2
103 .2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103 .2

102.9
102.9
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
9 9 .6
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2
7 9 .2

N e t bill, J u n e 1936...............................................

$4.03

A v e r a g e p r ic e p e r t h e r m , J u n e 1936...........

3 8 .0 *

N e t b i ll a v e r a g e 1923-25

N o rfo lk

. __

R ic h m o n d

10 .6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m s
K in d
of
gas

R ange

$ 2 .54

$ 7 .2 8

2 4 .00

2 3 .8 0

1 0 0 .9
106 .3
106.3
106 .3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106 .3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106 .3
106.3
106.3
106 .3
106.3
106.3
106.3
102 .4
102 .4
102 .4
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5
9 4 .5

1 00 .9
103 .4
103 .4
103 .4
103.4
103.4
103.4
103.4
103 .4
103.4
103 .4
103.4
103.4
103 .4
103 .4

$ 8.20

$ 2 .4 0

$ 6 .6 2

2 6 .80

2 2 .60

2 1 .60

=====
P r i c e p e r t h e r m , a v e r a g e 1 9 2 3 -2 5 ...............
1926— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e .............. — ...........................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ...... .............................................
1927 M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e .................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ................................................. ..
D e c e m b e r . .................................................
1928— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e ............................................................ ..
S e p t e m b e r .................................. ............ —
D e c e m b e r . ............................... .................
1929— M a r c h ...................................... .......... ...........
J u n e .................................................................
S e p t e m b e r ___________________ _____ _
D e c e m b e r . . ......................... .......... ..........
1930— M a r c h ..........................................................
J u n e . . --------------------------- ------------ -------S e p t e m b e r ........................................ ..........
D e c e m b e r . - .................................... ...........
1931— M a r c h .......................................................... J u n e ................................................. ...............
S e p t e m b e r . - .................................... ..........
D e c e m b e r ------------------------------------------1932— M a r c h ..........................................................
J u n e ------------------------------------ ---------------S e p t e m b e r ................................. .................
D e c e m b e r .............................. ................... ..
1933— M a r c h ............................. — ........................
J u n e . . .............. ..................... ........................
S e p t e m b e r _________________________ __
D e c e m b e r . . ........................... ...................
1934— M a r c h ............................................................
J u n e . . ............................................................
S e p t e m b e r ...................................................
D e c e m b e r ............. .......................................
1935— M a r c h . . ........................................................
J u n e . . ........................................................
S e p t e m b e r ............................... ...................
D e c e m b e r ____________________________
1936— M a r c h ............................................................

June..........................................................

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

10 .6
30.6
t h e r m s th e r m

K in d
R ange
of
and
gas
w a ter
h e a te r

Range

Range
and
w a ter
h e a te r

$ 2 .5 3

$ 7 .2 9

1 3 .8 0

23.80

1 03 .9
103.9
103.9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
103.9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
103 .9
103.9
103.9
103 .9
1 03 .9
1 03 .9
103.9
103.9
103 .9
103.9
103 .9
103.9
103 .9
103.9
1 03 .9
103.9
103 .9
103.9
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
103 .9
103 .9
103.9
103.9
103 .9
103.9

102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
102.7
101.9
101.9
101.9
101.9
101.9
101.9
101.9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101.9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101.9
101.9
101.9
101 .9
101.9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9
101 .9

$ 2 .63

$7.43

2 4 .8 0

24.30

-

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8
10 0 .8

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

9 7 .8
9 7 .8
9 7 .8
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9
9 0 .9

...........

10 2 .7

E X P L A N A T IO N OF C H A N G E S A F FE C T IN G R E L A T IV E S
Jacksonville.— 1923-25: Block meter schedule. Introduction of service charge and change in block and
rate increased the relatives for December 1923 from 83.7 to 105.4 for range, and from 91.1 to 102.9 for range
and water heater. September 1926: Change in block and rate. March 1933: Introduction of Wright
demand schedule available to customers using major appliances in addition to range.
Norfolk.— 1923-25: Block meter schedule with price adjustment for cost of manufacture. The relatives
were 100.9 for March and June 1923, 97.3 for September 1923, 93.7 for December 1923, and 100.9 beginning
with March 1924. June 1926: Lower B. t. u., change in block and rate, and discontinuance of adjustment
for cost of manufacture. December 1929 and September 1932: Kate decreases. June 1933: Change in
block and rate.
Richmond.— 1923-25: Straight line schedule. Lower B . t. u. in September 1925 increased the relatives
from 99.2 to 103.9. March 1926: Introduction of block meter schedule. September 1929: Change in block
and rate.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
T able

13.—

3J

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 8 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued

[1923-26=100]
[M=Manufactured, X=Mixed manufactured and natural]
South Atlantic
Savannah
Year and month

East South Central

Washington, D. C.

Birmingham

10.6
30.6
10.6
30.6
10.6
30.6
therms therms
therms therms
therms therms
Kind
Kind
Kind
of
Range of
Range of
Range
gas Range and
gas Range and
gas Range and
water
water
water
heater
heater
heater

Net bill, average 1923-25 ____________

$2. 67

$7. 71

$1.79

$5.16

$1.60

$4.62

Price per therm, average 1923-25_______

25.20

25. 20

16.90

16.90

15.10

15.10

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100. 0.
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2
86.2

98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
94.5
94.5
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
86.4
85.2
85.2

98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
91.8
91.8
91.8
91.8
91.8
88.8
88.8
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81. 2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
81.2
79.0
79.0

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3

Net bill, June 1936................ ............ .

$2.30

$6. 65

$1.53

$4.08

$1.59

$4.58

Average price per therm, June 1936........

21. 70

21.70

14.4f6

13. 30

15.00

15.00

1926—March.............................................
June—.............................................
September......................................
December............................. .........
1927—March.......... .................................
June— ........................*.................
September............... .......................
December_____________ ________
1928—March.............................................
June_________________ ____ ____
September—...................................
December.......................................
1929—March............................................
June................................................
September......................................
December..................... .................
1930—March......................... ........... ........
June................................................
September.............................. ........
December..................................... .
1931—March.............................................
June................................................
September.......... ...........................
December........... ...........................
1932—March............... .........................
June—............................................
September_______ _____________
December.......................................
1933—March....... ................... .................
June.............................. .................
September________ ____ ________
December............. ..........................
1934—March------- ------------- ------------June... _______
___________
September_____________________
December............................... . . .
1935—March____________ ____________
June__________________________
September—___________ _______
December_____ ________________
1936—March.................... ........... .............
June____________ _____________ _

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

E XPLA N ATIO N OF CH AN GES AFFECTING RELATIVES

S avannah.— 1923-25: B lo c k meter schedule. M a rc h 1935: Rate decrease (i. e., decrease in the price per
unit of 1,000 cubic feet).
W a s h in g to n .— 1923-25: Straight line schedule. A rate decrease (i. e., a decrease in the price per unit of
1,000 cubic feet) lowered the indexes for Dec. 1923 from 103.7 to 98.8. D e c e m b e r 1930: Introduction of block
meter schedule. M a rc h 1932: Change in block and rate. S e p te m b e r 1932: A special discount was allowed
on all bills. M a rc h 1936: Introduction of service charge, change in block and rate, and discontinuance of
special discount.
B irm in g h a m .— 1923-25: Block meter schedule. M a rc h 1930: Lower B. t. u. M a rc h 1933, M a rc h 1934,
and M a rc h 1935: Higher B. t. u .




32

T

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923^36
able

1 3 .—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued

[1923-25=100]
M=Manufactured, N=Natural, X=Mixed manufactured and natural]
East South Central
Memphis

Louisville
Year and month

Price per therm, average 1923-25_______
1926—March_________________________
June___________________________
September_____________________
December______________________
1927—March_________________________
June_______________________ __
September___________ _______
December_________
_________
1928—March_________________________
June____________________ —_
September____ ________
December__
_ ___ _ _ _
1929—March______
_ ________
June________
___ _ _
September___
December__
_ ___ ___
1930—March______ _ ___ __________
_
June. ______ _
September______ _ _ — ____
December______ _____
1931—March_________________________
June________
____
September_____
____
December___
_ _ _ _ _ __
1932—March_________________________
June________
____ _
September._ _
__ _ _
December. _ _
_ _ _ _
1933—March_____________________
June... _____
___
_____
September____
_ ____________
December___
_ _______
1934—March_____
June. ______
__ _ _
__
September- _
____________
December_____ ___ ____
1935—March_________________________
June__________
_ ___
____
September___
December __
_ _ _ _ _
1936—March________
_______
June_______________________ _
Net bill, June 1936

_

Average price per therm, June 1936 ___

Mobile

10.6
10.6
30.6
30.6
10.6
30.6
therms therms
therms therms
therms therms
Kind
Kind
Kind
Range
Range
Range
of
of
of
gas Range and
gas Range and
gas Range and
water
water
water
heater
heater
heater

X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

$0.70

$1.51

$2.42

$7.00

$3.64

$10.49

6.6t

4.91

22.91

22.91

34.31

34.31

121.2
92.8
92.8
121.2
121.2
92.8
92.8
121.2
121.2
92.8
92.8
121.2
121.2
92.8
92.8
121.2
121.2
92.8
92.8
121.2
121.2
92.8
92.8
103.0
103.0
92.8
92.8
103.0
103.0
92.8
92.8
103.0
127.5
127.5
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
127.5
131.4

114.1
95.8
95.8
114.1
114.1
95.8
95.8
114.1
114.1
95.8
95.8
114.1
114.1
95.8
95.8
115.0
115.0
95.8
95.8
115.0
115.0
95.8
95.8
97.8
97.8
95.8
95.8
97.8
97.8
95.8
95.8
97.8
132.5
132.5
136.5
136.5
136.5
136.5
136.5
136.5
132.5
136.5

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
63.9
63.9
63.9
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
53.3
53.3
53.3
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5
51.5

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
107.5
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
64.1
61.9
61.9

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
88.1
84.0
84.0
84.0
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
45.3
45.3

$0.92

$2.06

$1. 51

$3.60

$2.25

$4. 75

8. It

6. 71

14.3fJ 11.81

21.21

15. ht

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES AFFECTING RELATIVES
Louisville.—1923-25: Block meter schedule. Natural gas served when supply was adequate; otherwise
mixed manufactured and natural gas with a lower B. t. u. Relatives for natural gas were 92.8 for range
and 95.8 for range and water heater. For mixed gas they were 107.0 for range and 103.9 for range and water
heater up to December 1925, when, due to a lower B. t. u., they advanced to 121.2 for range and 114.1 for
range and water heater. December 1929: Change in B. t. u. of mixed gas. December 1931: Bills for mixed
gas were subject to a special discount. March 1934: Change to mixed gas with higher B. t. u. for all-year
service, introduction of straight line schedule with service charge, and discontinuance of special discount.
September 1934: Sales tax of 3 percent became effective. January 1936: Discontinuance of 3 percent sales
tax. May 1936: Excise tax of 3 percent became effective.
Memphis.—1923-25: Straight line schedule. March 1929: Change from manufactured to natural gas
with higher B. t. u., and introduction of block meter schedule with service charge. December 1929: Rate
decrease.
Mobile.—1923-25: Block meter schedule. March 1927: Introduction of service charge and change in
block and rate. March 1930: Change in block and rate. December 1930: Change from manufactured to
natural gas with higher B. t. u., change in block and rate, and decrease in service charge. March 1936:
Rate decrease.




33

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OP GAS, 1923-36
T able

13.—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
in c l u s i v e — Continued

[1923-25=100]
[M= Manufactured, N = Natural]
West South Central
Dallas
Year and month

Houston

Uttle Rock

30.6
10.6
i o .6
10.6
30.6
30.6
therms therms
therms therms
therms therms
Kind
Kind
Kind
Range of
Range of
of
Range
gas Range and
gas Range and
gas Range and
water
water
water
heater
heater
heater

Net b ill, average 1923-25 _____________

$0.80

$2.15

$2.16

$6.23

$1.07

Price per therm, average 1923-25.............

7. H

7.0)6

20.4£

20.4)6

10. U

6.7)6

_ 97.2
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1
55.1

97.2
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.8
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9
39.9

101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
103.4
103.4
103.4
103.4

106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
106.5
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7

1926—March.........................................
June__________________________
September-------------------------------December______________ _____
1927—March_________________________
June...________________________
September__________ __________
December____ _________________
1928—March______ __________________
June__________________________
September________________
December_____________________
1929—March_____ ___________________
June_________ _________________
September________________ ____
December_____________________
1930—March------------------------------------June________ __________________
September_________________
December_____________________
1931—March-________________________
June___________ ____________
September_______ _____________
December_____ ____ ___________
1932—March— ______________________
June________ _________ _____ _
September_____________________
December_____________________
1933—March________________________
June__________________________
September_____ _____________
December ____________________
1934—March_________________________
June____________ _______ ____
September..... ................ ...... .........
December_____________________
1935—March_________________________
June---------------------------------------September_____________________
December ----------- ------ -----1936—March______ ___ ___________
June__________________________
Net b ill, June 1936_________________
Average price per therm, June 1936____

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N

N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

131.1 111.5
131.1 111.5
131.1 111.5
131.1 111.5
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
162.0 123.0
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
160.4 121.5
157.9 118.3
157.9 118.3

M
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

$2.05

1 $1.26

$2.54

$1.19

$2.49

$1.11

$2 23

1 1 . 9£

8 . 3£

11.2j6

8 . 1)6

10 .4)6

7.3{S

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES AFFECTING RELATIVES
Dallas.—1923-25: Straight line schedule. The introduction of a service charge increased the relative
for June 1925 from 89.6 to 131.1 for range, and from 96.1 to 111.5 for range and water heater. March 1927:
Increase in service charge. March 1929 and March 1936: Higher B. t. u.
Houston.—1923-25: Straight line schedule. A rate decrease lowered the relatives for June 1925 from
100.9 to 97.2. June 1926: Change from manufactured to natural gas with higher B. t. u., rate decrease (i. e.,
a decrease in the price per unit of 1,000 cu. ft.), and introduction of a service charge.
Little Rock.—1923-25: Straight line schedule. Relatives for range for March and June 1923, based on the
minimum charge were 93.5. The introduction of a service charge and a change in rates in September
1923 increased the relative for range to 101.3 and showed an advance from 67.2 to 106.5 for range and water
heater. September 1935: Sales tax of 2 percent became effective.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

34
T able

13.—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s t M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 8 6 ,
in c l u s i v e — Continued

[1923-25 = 100]
[M=Manufactured, N —Natural]
West South Central

Mountain

New Orleans
Year and month

10.6
10.6
30.6
30.6
30.6
10.6
therms therms
therms therms
therms therms
Kind
Kind
Kind
Range of
Range of
of
Range
gas Range and
gas Range and
gas Range and
water
water
water
heater
heater
heater
$2.30
21.70

Price per therm, average 1923-25.............
1926—March................................. ......... June............................ ...................
September-....................................
December............. ........................
1927—March---------------------- --------------June_________________________ September--------------------------December......... .............. ..............
1928—March------------------------------------June___________________ _______
September--------------------- ----------December— ................... ............
1929—March—.......... ......... .....................
June.........................- .....................
September.-----------------------------December__________ __________
1930—March---- --------- ------------ ----------June---------------------------------------September----------- -----------------December--------------------------------1931—March------------------------------------June................... - ........... - ......... .
September....................................
December. ...................................
1932—March..---------------------------------June—................................... .........
September......................................
December......................................
1933—March.............................................
June_________________ _________
September............................ ........
December...................... ........... .
1934—March------------------------------------June....................... ................ ........
September---------------------- --------December................................... .
1934—March............... ...... .......................
June_____________________ _____
September-------------------------------December___________ ____ _____
1936—March____________________ ____
June..------------------------------------Net bill, June 1936___________ ________
Average price per therm, June 1936____

Denver

Butte

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

$4.24 $11.79

$6.63
21.70

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7
54.7

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5

$1.26

$3.15

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

11.901 10.30 .........

40.00

38.50

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
42.7
26.2
26.2
26.2

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
18.4
18.4
18.4

$1.11

$2.17

10.50

7.10

$3.00
28.30
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

$8.67
28.30

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
71.4
71.4
71.4
71.4
71.4
71.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.5
47.0
47.9
47.9
47.9
47.9
47.9
47.9

$2.14

$4.15

20.20

13.60

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES AFFECTING RELATIVES
New Orleans.—1923-25: Block meter schedule. September 1928: Change from manufactured to natural
gas, with higher B. t. u., and introduction of straight line schedule with service charge.
Butte.—1923-25: Block meter schedule. September 1931: Change from manufactured to natural gas,
with higher B. t. u., and introduction of straight line schedule with service charge. December 1935: Reduc­
tion in service charge.
Denver.—1923-25: Straight line schedule. March 1927: Rate decrease (i. e., a decrease in the price per unit
of 1,000 cu. ft.). September 1928: Change from manufactured to natural gas, with higher B. t. u., and intro­
duction of block meter schedule with service charge. December 1934: Rate decrease. March 1935: Sales
tax of 2 percent became effective.




35

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36
T able

13.—

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 .,
i n c l u s i v e — Continued

[1923-25=100]
[M=Manufactured, N=Natural, X=Mixed manufactured and natural]
Mountain

Salt Lake City
Year and month

Net bill, average 1923-25...... —_........... ..
Price per therm, average 1923-25.............
1926—March............................................
June.......... ....................................
September......................................
December........... ...........................
1927—March...........................................
June............................ ............ .
September......................................
December.............. ......... .............
1928—March.................................. .........
June....... .........................................
September......................................
December......................................
1929—March..................... ......................
June....................... ........... .............
September.....................................
December________________ _____
1930—March........................... ...............
June..... .........................................
September......................................
December_____________________
1931—March........................... ...............
June___________ ____ _____ _____
September......................................
December.....................................
1932—March.._______________________
June......................... ............... ......
September_____________ ________
December________________ _____
1933—March.._______ _______________
June.. ................................. .........
September....................................
December.....................................
1934—March________ ________________
June..... ................... ............... ......
September_______ _____ ______ _
December......... ................. .........
1935—March..________ ______________
June______ _____ ______________
September________ ____________
December..___________________
1936—March.............................. .......... .
June__________________________
Net bill, June 1936.................................
Average price per therm, June 1936.........

Pacific
Los Angeles
(2 companies)

Portland, Oreg.

10.6
30.6
10.6
30.6
10.6
30.6
therms therms
therms therms
therms therms
Kind
Kind
Kind
of
Range of
Range of
Range
gas Range and
gas Range and
gas Range and
water
water
water
heater
heater
heater

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N

$3.68 $9.56
34. 70 31.20
97.8
92.5
97.8
92.5
97.8
92.5
97.8
92.5
97.8
92.5
98.5
93.4
98.5
93.4
102.6
97.2
102.6
97.2
106.7 101.7
106.7 101.7
106.7 101.7
106.7 101.7
106.7 101.7
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
56.4
42.6
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
57.5
43.5
43.5
57.5
$2.12 $4.16
20.00 13.60

X
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N

$0.86
8.10
98.9
98.9
98.9
98.9
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
148.9
147.0
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
146.1
$1.26
11.80

$2^8
8*0
98.9
98.9
98.9
98.9
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
102.6
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
101.4
98.4
98.4
$2.43
8. 00

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

M
M

$2.31
21.80
102.0
102.0
102.0
102.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
$2. 34
22.00

$5.92
19.30
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
5.96
19. 50

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES AFFECTING RELATIVES
Salt Lake City.—1923-25: Block meter schedule with service charge. Due to higher B. t. u. for September
1924 the relatives decreased from 101.3 to 100.5 for range and from 104.0 to 102.9 for range and water heater.
A further decline in March 1925 to 97.8 for range and 92.5 for range and water heater was due to change in
block, rate, and service charge. June and December 1927 and June 1928: Lower B. t. u. September 1929:
Change from manufactured to natural gas with higher B. t. u., change in block and rate, and decrease in
service charge. September 1933: Sales tax of 2 percent became effective.
Los Angeles (2 companies).—1923-25: Block meter schedules. Higher B. t. u. for June 1923 lowered the
relatives from 111.6 to 98.9. March 1927: Change from mixed to natural gas with higher B. t. u., and change
in block and rate. December 1928: Introduction of straight line schedule with service charge. June and
September 1933: Introduction of block meter schedules with service charge at different dates by the two
companies. March 1936: Introduction of a separate block meter schedule with service charge available to
customers using major appliances in addition to a range.
Portland, Oreg.—1923-25: Block meter schedule with service charge. March 1926: Rate increase.
March 1927: Rate decrease. March 1929: Change in block and rate.




36

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

T able 13. —

I n d e x e s o f r e ta il p r i c e s o f g a s , b y c i t i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 6 to J u n e 1 9 3 6 ,
in c lu s iv e — Continued

[1923-25=* 100]
[M=Manufactured, N=Natural, X=Mixed manufactured and natural]
Pacific
San Francisco
Year and month
Kind
of gas

Seattle

10.6
therms

30.6
therms

Range

Range
and
water
heater

Kind
of gas

10.6
therms

30.6
therms

Range

Range
and
water
heater

$1.89

$5.46

$3.16

$8.08

17.80

17.80

29.80

26.40

96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
95.8
95.8
95.8
95.8
91.7
91.7
86.9
82.7
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
72.9
67.2

96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
95.8
95.8
95.8
95.8
91.7
91.7
86.9
82.7
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52. 4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
52.4
45.7

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
95.3
95.3
95.3
9-8.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1
98.1

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
90.3
90.3
90.3
90.3
90.3
64.0
64.0
64.0
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9
65.9

Net bill, June 1936____________________________

$1.27

$2.49

$3.10

$5. 32

Average price per therm, June 1936______ _____

12.00

8.10

29.20 |

17.4*

September_____________________ _______
1927—March

_______________________________
June _________________________________
September _ ________ ________________
December_____ ____________ _______ __
1928— March__________ ____________ - _____
June_______________________ ___________
September_________ ___________________
December______________________________
1929—M arch.__________________________ ____
June ______________________ -- _______
September.
________________________
December___________________________ .
1930—March ______________________________
June________________ ______ _____ _______
September__ __ _ ___________________
December______________________________
1931 —March ____ __________ ______ - _____
June._________________________ _______
September______________ _________ _____
December_____ _ _ ___________________
1932—March ________ ____ __________________
June______________ ______ _______ - - September______ _
__
_
_____
December___ _
__ . _________ _____
1933—March_____ ____________________________
June____________ ________ - ___________
September_______________ _ ___________
December____ ___ ___ ____________ _
1934—March______ ____ ____ ____ ___________
June. ___________________ _____________
September_________________ _____ _____
December___________________________ _
1935—March________ - ____________ ___ ______
June __________________________ _ _ .
September________ ___________________
December______________________________
1936—March__________________________ ______
June___________________ -- ____________

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES AFFECTING RELATIVES
San Francisco.—1923-25: Block meter schedule. Rate increases (i. e., an increase in the price per unit
of 1,000 cu. ft.) advanced the relatives from 93.7 in March 1923 to 101.9 for March 1924, and 107.0 for March
1925. A rate decrease in December 1925 lowered the relatives to 96.8. March 1928 and March 1929: Rate
decreases. September 1929: Change from manufactured to mixed gas with higher B. t. u. December
1929: Higher B. t. u. March 1930: Change from mixed to natural gas with higher B. t. u., change in block
and rate, and introduction of service charge. June 1936: Change in block and rate, and discontinuance of
service charge.
Seattle.— 1923-25: Block meter schedule with service charge. September 1930: Introduction of separate
block meter schedule with service charge, available to customers using major appliances in addition to a
range. December 1931: Introduction of new block meter schedules with service charge, and measurement
of consumption on a thermal basis. September 1932: Sales tax of 3 percent became effective.




T able

14. —

S u m m a r i z e d data u s e d i n the c o m p u ta t io n o f re ta il p r ic e s o f g a s , b y c o m p a n i e s , M a r c h 1 9 2 3 - J u n e 1 9 3 6 , in c lu s iv e

[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M=manufactured, N=natural, and X=mixed manufactured and natural]
Typical consumption and type of rate 1

City and period

Cubic feet equivalent
to—

10.6 therms 30.6 therms
Range

Rate struc­
ture

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

Rate struc­
ture

Net price per
therm

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded
10.6 therms 30.6 therms

10.6 therms

30.6 therms

Range

Range and water heater

Range and
water
heater

Net monthly bills

Range

10.6
30.6
Range and therms
therms
water
heater

N e w E n g la n d

Boston:
Co. 1:
Mar. 19232-Jan. 31,1924....
Feb. 1,1924-Sept. 30,1929..
Oct. 1,1929-Aug. 31,1932..
Sept. 1,1932-Sept. 26,1934.
Sept. 27,1934-June 15,1936.
Co. 2:
July 1 ,1922-Jan. 1,1924...
Jan. 2,1924-Mar. 31,1925..
Apr. 1,1925-Jan. 31,1934...
Feb. 1,1934-June 15,1936..
Fall River:
Sept. 15, 19212-Aug. 31, 1929.
Sept. 1,1929-June 15,1936—
Manchester:
Jan. 1,1922-Feb. 28,1924.......
Mar. 1,1924-Feb. 28,1928.—
Mar. 1,1928-Aug. 31,1931....
Sept. 1,1931-Jan. 31,1934___
Feb. 1,1934-June 15,1936___
See footnotes at end of table.




C en ts

M
M
M
M
M

535
535
535
535
535

1,980
1,980
1,980
1,980
1,980

5,720 Straight line
5,720
do _.
5,720 ____do_____
5,720 ____do_____
5, 720 ____do..........

M
M
M
M

535
535
535
535

1,980
1,980
1,980
1,980

5, 720 ___do _____
5, 720
d o ____
do
5,720
. do____
5, 720

M
M

528
528

2,010
2,010

5,800 Block_____
5,800 ____do_____

M
M
M
M
M

565
565
525

1,880
1,880
2,020
2,020
2,020

5,420
5,420
5,830
5,830
5,830

525

525

____do_____
____ do ..........
____do _____
____ do _____
____do........

$0. 50
.50
.60

Straight line
....... do_____
____do_____
Blonk __
100 ....... do..........

$0. 50
1.00
1.00

200
200

Straight line
____do_____
.. ..do_____
Block..........
.75

____do_____
300 ....... do_____

.75

300

.25
.25
1.00
1.00
1.00

....... do..........
____do..........
600 ____do.........
600 ____do_____
600 ....... do..........

.25
.25
1.00
1.40
1.40

600
600
600

C ents

$2.48
2.38
2.48
2.48
2.48

$7.15
6.86
6.22
5. 70
5.70

23.4
22.4
23.4
23.4
23.4

23.4
22.4
20.3
18.6
18.6

2.48
2. 38
2.28
2.28

7.15
6.86
6.58
5.63

23.4
22.4
21.5
21.5

23.4
22.4
21.5
18.4

2.31
2.53

6.67
5.94

21.8
23.9

21.8
19.4

2.88
2.69
2.85
2.85

7.84
7.30
7.13
6.49
5.67

27.2
25.4
26.8
26.8
26.8

25.6
23.8
23.3
21.2
18.5

2.85

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OE GAS, 1923-36

Service charge

Service charge
Heating
Kind value in
of gas British
thermal
units

CO

T

able

00

l it .— S u m m a rized data u s e d in the com putation o f retail prices o f g a s , b y com p a n ies , M a r c h 1 9 2 8 - J u n e 1 9 8 6 , in clu sive — C o n tin u e d

oo

[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M=manufactured, N = natural, and X “ mixed manufactured and natural]
Typical constimption and type <
of rate1
Service charge
Net monthly bills

City and period

N ew England—Continued
New Haven:
Mar. 1922 2-Dec. 31,1924..............
Jan. 1,1925-June 15,1936________
Portland, Maine:
Nov. 1 ,1922-Dec. 31,1925
Jan. 1,1926-0ct. 31,1926...............
Nnv. 1,1926-Apr. 5,1933 _ __
Apr. 6 ,1933-Jan. 4,1935_________
Jan 5, 1935-Jnnft 15, 1936
Providence:
Feb. 1 ,1923-May 31,1923.............
June 1 ,1923-Mar. 1,1925..............
Mar 2, 1925-Jnna 30,1926
July 1 ,1926-Dec. 31,1931_______
Jan. 1 ,1932-June 15,1936..............
M iddle Atlantic
Buffalo:
Mar 1923 3
June 1923 3__............................... .
Sp.pt. 1923 3
Dec. 1923 3......................................
Mar. 1924 3 _ ..... .
June 1924 3......................................
Sppt 1924-D po 17, 1925
Dec. 18, 1925-June 15, 1936..........




10.6 therms

30.6 therms

Range

Range and
water
heater

Rate struc­
ture

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

10.6

therms

Range

M
M

528
528

2,010
2,010

5,800 Straight line
5,800 ------ do______

$0.50
.50

M
M
M
M
M

525
525
525
525
525

2,020
2,020
2,020
2,020
2,020

5,830 Block
do____
5,830
5,830 Straight line
5,830 ------ do______
5,830 ____ do______

.50

M
M
M
M
M

510
510
510
510
510

2,080
2,080
2,080
2,080
2,080

6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000

Block
_ _
........do______
____ do______
____ do______
........do...........

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900

1,180
1,180
1,18u
1,180
1,180
1,180
1,180
1,180

3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400

Straight line
........do...........
dn_
........do______
____ do______
____ do______
do
........do

1.00
1 .0 0

Rate struc­
ture

30.6 therms

10.6 therms

Range and water heater

Range

Straight line
____ do______

$0.50
.50

Block______
____ do______
Straight line
400 ____ do...........
400 Block

.50
1 .0 0
1 .0 0

____ do______
____ do______
____ do______
____ do______
........do______

.50
.50
.50
.50
.70

100
100

.50
.50
.50
.50
.70 ~'” 200"

........... ____

Straight line
........do...........
........do...........
........do______
____ do...........
____ do______
d o-...
........do______

Net price per
therm

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

______

30.6 therms
10.6
30.6
Range and therms
therms
water
heater

100
100

$2.51
2.41

$6.49
6 .2 0

Cents
23.6
22.7

400
400

3.13
3.03
3.03
3.03
3.03

8.85
8.56
7.79
7.79
6.51

29.5
28.6
28.5
28.5
28.5

2.79

7.10
6.80
6.50
6 .1 0
6 .1 0

26.3
25.3
24.3
24.3
24.3

2.11
2 .1 0

6.9
6.9

2.08
2.07
2.09
2.05
2.04

6 .8
6 .8

2 .6 8

200

2.57
2.58
2.57

.73
.73
.72
.72
.73
.71
.71
.77

2.21

6.9
6.7
6.7
7.2

Cents
2 1 .2

2a 3
28.9
28.0
25.5
25.5
2L3
23.2
2 2 .2
2 L2

19.9
19.9

6.9
6 .8
6 .8
6 .8
6 .8

6.7
6.7
7.2

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

Service charge
Cubic feet equivalent
Heating
to—
Kind value in
of gas British
thermal
units

See footnotes at end of table.




2,020

2,020
2,020

2,020

6.830 ____ do____
dn
6.830
5.830 Block______
5.830 ____ do______

540
540

1.960
1.960

5.670
5.670

Straight line.
_ dn__

M
M
M

540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960

5.670 ____ do______
__do__
5.670
do
5.670

M
M

540
540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960
1.960

__do_
5.670
5.670 -------do______
5.670 -------do______
5.670 Block.

1.00
< 1.0 2
< 1.02

........do______
600 ____ do______
600 ____ do______
600 Block______

1.00
< 1.0 2
< 1.0 2

M
M
M

540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960

5.670 Straight line.
5.670 ........do______
5.670 ........do______

1.00
* 1.02

Straight line.
500 ____ do..........
500 ____ do______

1.00
<1.0 2

M
M
M
M
M
M

540
540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960
1.960
1, 960
1.960

5.670
5.670
5.670
5, 670
5.670
5.670

____ do______
-------do...........
........do__........
........do..........
____ do______
........do..........

1.00
1.00
1.00
< 1.02

M
M
M

540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960

5.6 70

M
M
M
M
M
M

540
540
540
540
540
540

1.960
1.960
1.960
1.960
1.960
1.960

5.670
5.670
5.670
5.670
5.670
5.670

M
M
M

530
530
530

2,000
2,000
2,000

5.770 Straight line
5.770 ____ do______
5.770 Block______

N
N

1.130
1.130

940
940

N
N

1,100

1,100

960
960

M
M
M
M

525
525
525
525

M
M

540
540

2.53
2.42
2.69
2.69

7.29
7.00
6.31
6.06

23.8
22.9
25.4
25.4

23.9
22.9
20.6
19.8

Straight line
_ __do______

2.25
<2.30

6.52
<6.65

21.3
21.7

21.3
21.7

____ do______
___ do_______
__do_____ _

2.84
<2.90
<2.30

8.22
<8.39
<6.65

26.8
27.4
21.7

26.8
27.4
21.7

600
600
600

2.25
2.29
<2.34
<2.34

6.52
5.82
<5.93
<5.25

21.3
2 1.6
2 2.1
2 2.1

21.3
19.0
19.4
17.2

500
500

2. 55
2.39
<2.43

7.37
5.91
<6.03

24.1
22.5
23.0

24.1
19.3
19.7

2. 55
2.94
2. 85
2. 76
2. 53
<2.58

7.37
7.02
6.74
6.47
6.43
<6.56

24.1
27.7
26.9
26.0
23.9
24.4

24.1
22.9
22.0
2 1 .1
2 1.0
21.4

2. 71
<2. 76
<2.30

7.83
<7.98
*6.65

25.5
26.1
21.7

25.5
26.1
21.7

3.10
2.84
3.04
3.04
<3.10
<3.10

7.55
8.22
8.20
7.70
<7.86
<7.08

29.3
26.8
28.7
28.7
29.3
29.3

24.7
26.8
26.8
25.2
25.7
23.1

Straight line
._ __do______
Block.........

2.00
1.90
1.80

5.77
5.48
5.01

18.9
17.9
17.0

18.9
17.9
16.4

2.710 Straight line.
2.710 ____ do______

Straight line.
____ do______

<1.00
* 1.00

1.36
1.63

9.4
9.4

4.4
5.3

2.780 ____ do______
2.780

____ do______

<1.00
<1.00

1.39
1.67

9.4
9.4

4.5
5.5

1.00
1.00

ro d '

5.670 ____ do....... .
5.670 ____ do..........
___ do...
____ do______
____ do____
Block
____ d o ..........
____ do______
____ do...........

........ do______
_ _do______
400 Block______
400 ____ do...........

200"
200
200
500
500

........do......... .
____ do...........
____ do______
____ do______
____ do......... .
____ do______

1.00
1.00

""T oo"
1.00
1.00
1.00
< 1.0 2

400
400

" " 260"
200
200
500
500

. . . .do______
____ do______
do.
75
1.00
1.00
< 1.02
< 1.02

____ do______
___ do_______
500 Block.
500 ........do...........
500 ____ do______
500 ____ do______

.75
1.00
1.00
< 1.02
* 1.02

500
500
500
500

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

Newark:
Mar. 27, 1922-Apr. 30,1924.........
May 1, 1924-June 30, 1929______
July 1, 1929-Sept. 30, 1935...........
Oet. 1 ,1935-June 15, 1936..........
New York:
Co. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10:
Oct. 1, 1922-Dec. 9, 1934_____
Dec. 10, 1934-June 15,1936___
Co. 3:
Oct. 1, 1922-Dec. 9, 1934..........
Dec. 10, 1934-Aug. 31, 1935___
Sept. 1, 1935-June 15, 1936____
Co. 4:
Oct. 1, 1922-Aug. 14, 1931____
Aug. 15, 1931-Dec. 9, 1934____
Dec. 10, 1934-Dec. 14, 1935___
Dec. 15, 1935-June 15, 1936___
Co. 5:
Jan. 1, 1923-Feb. 28, 1933____
Mar. 1, 1933-Dec. 9, 1934_i___
Dec. 10, 1934-June 15, 1936....
Co. 6:
Nov. 1, 1922-July 31, 1927____
Aug. 1, 1927-Dec. 31, 1928____
Jan. 1, 1929-Sept. 30, 1929____
Oct. 1, 1929-Dec. 31, 1931____
Jan. 1, 1932-Dec. 9, 1934_____
Dec. 10, 1934-June 15,1936___
Co. 11:
Oct. 1, 1922-Dec. 9, 1934.........
Dec. 10, 1934-Aug. 31, 1935.__
Sept. 1, 1935-June 15, 1936___
Co. 12:
Aug. 30, 1922-June 7,1923.......
June 8, 1923-Apr. 30, 1927____
May 1, 1927-Dec. 31, 1932____
Jan. 1 ,1933-Dec. 9, 1934_____
Dec. 10, 1934-Sept. 30, 1935....
Oct. 1, 1935-June 15, 1936........
Philadelphia:
Jan. 1907 HDec. 31,1930— .........
Jan. 1, 1931-Sept. 30, 1932.......
Oct. 1, 1932-June 15, 1936____
Pittsburgh:
Co. 1:
Dec. 1921 *-July 14, 1924..........
July 15,1924-June 15, 1936___
Co. 2:
Dec. 1921 a-Nov. 14, 1923_____
Nov. 15, 1923-June 15, 1936—

OO

CO

T

able

1 4 . — S u m m a rized data used in the com putation o f retail prices o f gas , b y co m p a n ies , M a r c h 1 9 2 3 - J u n e 1 9 3 6 , inclusive— C o n tin u e d

O

[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M = manufactured, N=natural, and X=mixed manufactured and natural]
Typical consumption and type of rate1

City and period

10.6 therms

30.6 therms

Range

Range and
water
heater

Rate struc­
ture

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

10.6

therms

Range

Service charge
Rate struc­
ture

Net monthly bills

Net price per
therm

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

30.6 therms

10.6 therms

Range and water heater

Range

30.6 therms
30.6
10.6
Range and
therms therms
water
heater

M iddle Atlantic— Continued
Pittsburgh—Continued.
Co. 3:
Dec. 1921 *-June 1924.................
Sept. 1924 2-June 1936 _
Rochester:
Oct. 16, 1922-Aug. 31, 1923___
Sept. 1 ,1923-Mar. 31, 1933___
Apr. 1 ,1933-June 15, 1936.. _
Scranton:
June 1922 *-Dec. 31, 1923____
Jan. 1, 1924-Dec. 1925.............
Mar. 1926-June 30, 1926.
July 1 ,1926-Sept. 1929..............
TV> 1Q9Q-Jnnft IK, 103fi

N
N

1,100
1,100

960
960

2,780 Straight line.
2,780 __ .do_______

Straight line.
.do..........

*$1.00
* 1.00

$1.39
1.67

Cents
9.4
9.4

Cents
4.5
5.5

M
M
M

537
537
537

1,970
1,970
1,970

5,700 ........do______
5,700 ........do______
5,700 Block........—

____ do______
____ do_____
Block...........

2.07
1.97
1.97

5.99
5.70
5.56

19.5
18.6
18.6

19.5
18.6
18.2

M
M
M
M
M

540
540
530
530
520

1,960
1,960

5,670
5,670
5,770
5,770
5,880

____ do______
____ do______
____ do______
____ do______
____ do______

$0.75
.75

3.14
2.94
3.00
3.05
3.10

8.27
7.84
7.96
6.97
7.08

29.6
27.7
28.3
28.8
29.2

27.0
25.6
26.0

$0.75
.75

___ do _____
____ do______
____ do______
........d o ..........
........ d o ..........

M
M
M
X
X

530
530
530
800
800

5,770 ........do...........
5,770 ........do...........
6,770 Straight line
3,830 Block
3,830 ........do......... .

.60
.60
.60
.58
.58

400 ____ do______
400 ........do______
400 Straight line
• 250 Block............
• 250 ____ do...........

.60
.60
.60
.58
.58

2 .2 0
2 .1 2

5.97
5.70
5.43
5.12
4.69

20 .8
2 0 .0

2,000
2,000

2,040

22.8

23.1

East North Central
Chicago:
Feb. 1, 1922-July 31, 1923............
Aug. 1, 1923-Mar. 31, 1928...........
Apr. 1, 1928-0ct. 14, 1931............
Oct. 15, 1931-June 30, 1933...........
July 1, 1933-June 15, 1936............




2,000
2,000
2,000

1,330
1,330

400
400
400
•250
•250

2.04
1.95
1.94

19.2
18.4
18.3

19.5
18.6
17.8
16.7
15. *

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

Service charge
Cubic feet equivalent
Heating
to—
Kind value in
of gas British
thermal
units

See footnotes at end of table.




1,230
1,230

do
2.780
do
3.480
do
3.480
do
3.540
3.540 ___ do______

____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____

*.75
*.75
.90
.92
.91

1,100
1,100
1,100
1,100

960
960
960
960

2.780
do_____
2.780 ____do_____
2.780 ____ do_____
do , _
2.780

____ do_____
____do_____
____do_____
___do______

*. 75
.93
.98
*.75

N
N
N
N

1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050

1,010
1,010
1,010
1,010

2.910 ____do..........
2.910 ____do_____
2.910 Straight line.
2.910 ____do....... -

____do........
____do____ _
Straight line.
____do_____

N
N
N

1,050
1,050
1,050

1,010
1,010
1,010

2.910 Block______
2.910 ____do_____
2.910 Straight line.

Block______
____do..........
Straight line.

M
M
M
M
M
M

600
530
530
530
530
530

1,770
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000

5,100
5.770
5.770
5.770
5.770
5.770

___ do______
____do..........
___do_____
____do..........
___ do______
do_____

M
M
M
M
M
M

570
570
570
570
570
570

1,860
1,860
1,860
1,860
1,860
1,860

5.370
5.370
5.370
5.370
5.370
5.370

____do_____
___do______
do
____do_____
Block______
__ do_____

M
M

520
520

2,040
2,040

5.880 ------ do..........
5.880 ____do_____

M
M
M
N

565
565
565

1*,880
1,880
1,880
1,060

5.420
5.420
5.420
3.060

____do_____
__ do
___do...
___do______

1,880
1,880
1,880
1,880
1,060
1,060

5.420
5.420
5.420
5.420
3.060
3.060

do
__ do_____
____do..........
_ do_____
____do..........
____do..........

N
X
X
X
X

1,100

960

880
880
865
865

1,200
1,200

N
N
N
N

M
M
M
M
N
N

1,000

565
565
565
565
1,000
1,000

.50
.50

.10

2.66

7.1
7.1
8.5
8.7

4.5
5.7
8.5
8.7

2.45

8 .6

8 .0

1.11

7.1

1.75
1.89
1.43

9.2
7.1

4.7

.45
*. 75
*.75
*.75

1.31
1.60
1.40
1.60

4.3
7.1
7.1
7.1

4.3
5.2
4.6
5.2

.45
*.75
*.75

1.31
1.60
1.40

4.3
7.1
7.1

4.3
5.2
4.6

1.40
1.58
1.54
7 1.59
71.71

4.03
4.66
4.56
4.44
7 4.58
7 4.93

13.2
15.8
14.9
14.5
15.0
16.1

13.2
15.2
14.9
14.5
15.0
16.1

2.23
2.14
2.05
1.95
1.77
1.67

6.44
6.18
5.91
5.64
5.10
4.83

21 .1
2 0 .2

21.1
2 0 .2

19.3
18.4
16.7
15.8

19.3
18.4
16.7
15.8

1.81
1.73

4.88
4. 61

17.1
16.3

16.0
15.1

___ do_____
Demand. ..
do_____
___do______

2.26
2.26
2. 23

6 . 50
5.14
5.01
4. 67

21.3
21.3

21.3
16.8
16.4
15.3

Block.__ _
. . do..........
_ do____
Demand___
._ .do_____
Block..........

2.63
2.54
2.35
2.33

....... do_____
____do_____
____do..........
____do..........
__ ..do_____
do____

. 50
.50

.10

1.68

__ _do........ .
__do_____
do_____
__ _do_____
Block______
____do..........
.50
.50

400 ____do..........
do _ .
400

.50
.50

400
400

2.1 2

2.1 2

1.91

1.39
1.74
2.61

7. 59
7.32
6.78
5.13
4.67
4.66

8 .8

21 .0
2 0 .0

3.6
5.7
6 .2

24.8
23.9

24.8
23.9

2 2 .2
2 2 .0
2 0 .0

22 .2

18.0

16.8
15.3
15.2

C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

Cincinnati:
Dec. 15,1921-Mar. 31, 1925.........
Apr. 1 ,1925-May 31, 1925...........
June 1, 1925-December 1929____
March 1930-Apr. 26, 1935...........
Apr. 27, 1935-June 15, 1936....... .
Cleveland:
Feb. 1 ,1922-May 27, 1923...........
May 28, 1923-Dec. 10,1925.........
Dec. 11, 1925-Sept. 29, 1934.........
Sept. 30, 1934-June 15, 1936........
Columbus:
Co. 1:
July 12,1921-May 15, 1925___
May 16, 1925-Feb. 17, 1927—
Feb. 18, 1927-Jan. 31, 1933____
Feb. 1, 1933-June 15, 1936____
Co. 2:
July 12,1921-June 10,1925___
June 11, 1925-Feb. 17, 1927....
Feb. 18, 1927-June 15, 1936___
Detroit:
Feb. 15,1922-Apr. 30, 1924_____
May 1, 1924-Dec. 30, 1925......... .
Dec. 31, 1925-June 8, 1932...........
June 9, 1932-June 30, 1933..........
July 1, 1933-Apr. 7, 1935........... .
Apr. 8, 1935-June 15, 1936'______
Indianapolis:
June 1922 *-Apr. 30, 1926_______
May 1, 1923-June 30, 1924______
July 1, 1924-Feb. 28, 1926______
Mar. 1, 1926-June 30, 1927_____
July 1, 1927-Apr. 30, 1936______
May 1, 1936-June 15, 1936______
Milwaukee:
June 19, 1922-July 31,1923_____
Aug. 1, 1923-June 15,1936_____
Peoria:
Nov. 20, 1920-May 10, 1926........
May 11, 1926-June 30, 1931....... .
July 1 ,1931-Mar. 11, 1932..........
Mar. 12, 1932-June 15, 1936........
Springfield:
May 15, 19212-May 5,1923____
May 6 ,1923-May 31, 1926_____
June 1, 1926-June 24,1931....... .
June 25, 1931-Jan. 21, 1932..........
Jan. 22, 1932-June 10, 1934-------June 11, 1934-June 15, 1936_____

T able 14.—

S u m m a r iz ed data used in the com putation o f retail prices o f ga s, b y c om p a n ies, M a r c h 1 9 2 3 - J u n e 1 9 3 6 , in clu sive — C o n t in u e d

^

[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M = manufactured, N=natural, and X=mixed manufactured and natural]
Typical consumption and type of rate1
Service charge
Net monthly bills

City and period

10.6 therms

30.6 therms

Range

Range and
water
heater

Rate struc­
ture

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

10.6

therms

Range

Rate struc­
ture

Net price per
therm

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

30.6 therms

10.6 therms

Range and water heater

Range

30.6 therms
10.6
30.6
Range and therms therms
water
heater

West North Central
Kansas City:
Sept. 15, 1922 2-Mar. 1924..
June 19242-Aug. 26, 1935...
Aug. 27,1935-June 15, 1936.
Minneapolis:
Jan. 1, 1923-Apr. 30, 1923
May 1, 1923-Aug. 31, 1923 3.
Sept. 1 ,1923-Dec. 31, 1923 •.
Jan. 1, 1924-Apr. 30, 1924
May 1, 1924-Aug. 31, 1924 >.
Sept. 1, 1924-Dec. 31, 1924 ».
Jan. 1, 1925-Apr. 30, 1925 3..
May 1, 1925-Aug. 31, 1925 K
Sept. 1, 1925-Dec. 31, 1925 ».
Jan. 1, 1926-Apr. 30, 1926 3..
May 1, 1926-Aug. 31, 1926 3.
Sept. 1, 1926-Dec. 31, 1926 3.
Jan. 1, 1927-Apr. 30, 1927 3..
May 1, 1927-Aug. 31, 1927 3.
Sept. 1, 1927-Aug. 31, 1928 *.
Sept. 1, 1928-Dec. 31, 1928 3.
Jan. 1, 1929-Apr. 30, 19303..
May 1, 1930-May 31, 1935...
June 1, 1935-Sept. 30, 1935..
OCt. 1, 1935-Jan. 31, 1936....
Feb. 1, 1936-June 15,1936...




N
N
N

1,000
1,000

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
X
X

l, 000

1,060
1,060
1,060

3,060 Straight line
3,060 Block...........
3,060 ........do______

600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
800
800
800

1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,770
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,920
1,930
1,930
1,330
1,330
1,330

5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,100
5,560
5,560
5,560
5,560
5,560
5,560
5,560
5,560
3,830
3,830
3,830

Straight line
____ do......... .
do _
____ do__........
........do______
____ do......... .
____ do..........
do
____ do______
____ do______
____ do__ . .
____ do______
____ do______
___ do............
........do...........
........do..........
........do...........
Block
........do______
........do...........
........do...........

$0.50
.75
•.76

1.00
1.00
1.00

LOO 1

Straight line
400 Block............
400 ........do______

600
400
400
400

Straight line
____ do______
___ do____ _
___ do_______
____ do______
____ do______
____ do______
___ do_______
____ do______
____ do______
___ do_______
____ do______
____ do______
........do______
____ do...........
____ do______
____ do______
RIoek____
____ do...........
........ do______
........do______

$0.50
.75
•.76

400
400

$1.40
1.34
•1.36

$3.10
3.09
•3.12

1.82

5.25
5.36
5.15
5.10
5.15
5.00
4.90
4.85
4.74
4.79
5.39
5.28
5.17
5.34
5.23
5.00
4.95
4.85
4.47
4.37
4.27

1 .8 6

L 79
1.77
L 79
L73
1.70
1 .6 8

1.65
1.66

1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00

600
400
400
400

1.87
1.83
1. 79
1.85
L81
L 74
1.72
2.06
1.96
1.93
1.90

Cents
13.2
12.7

Cents

12.8

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

17.2
17.5
16.8
16.7
16.8
16.3
16.0
15.8
15.5
15.7
17.6
17.3
16.9
17.4
17.1
16.4
16.2
19.5
18.5
18.2
17.9

17.2
17.5
16.8
16.7
16.8
16.3
16.0
15.8
15.5
15.7
17.6
17.3
16.9
17.4
17.1
16.4
16.2
15.8
14.6
14.3
13.9

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

Service charge
Cubic feet equivalent
Heating
to—
Kind value in
of gas British
thermal
units

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

567
555
555
555
555
555
555
555
555
555

1,870
1,910
1, 910
1,910
1,910
1,910
1,910
1,910
1,910
1,910

5,400
5, 510
5,510
5,510
5, 510
5, 510
5,510
5,510
5,510
5,510

Straight line
....... do........
....... do_____
____do_____
Block______
....... do.........
....... do_____
....... do_____
....... do..........
Straight Line.

.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75

500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500

Straight line.
____ do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
Block______
____do_____
____do..........
------ do_____
____do_____
Straight line.

.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75

500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500

2.26
2.30
2.16
2.02
1.98
1.81
1. 67
1.67
1.60
1.53

6.14
6.26
5.76
5.26
4.86
4.51
4.01
3.98
3.76
3. 51

21.3
21.7
20.4
19.0
18.7
17.1
15.7
15.7
15.1
14.4

20.1
20.5
18.8
17.2
15.9
14.7
13.1
13.0
12.3
11.5

M
M
M
X
X

600
600
600
800
800

1,770
1,770
1,770
1,330
1,330

5,100
5; 100
5,100
3,830
3,830

Block _
....... do_____
....... do_____
____do_____
....... do_.........

.75
.80
.80
8.81

300
6333
6333
6333

Block______
------ do_____
____do_____
------ do_____
------ do_____

.75
.80
.80
8.81

300
3 333
3333
3333

1.77
2.15
2.15
2.01
«2.03

5.10
5.30
5.28
4.83
•4.87

16.7
20.3
20.3
19.0
19.2

16.7
17.3
17.3
15.8
15.9

M
M
M
M

560
600
550
550

1,890
1,770
1,930
1,930

5,460 Straight line.
5,100 ____do___
5,560 ____d o _____
5,560 ____do_____

1.89
1.50
1.64
1.74

5.46
4.34
4.73
5.00

17.8
14.2
15.5
16.4

17.8
14.2
15.5
16.4

M
M
M
N
N
N

575
575
575
930
9S0
930

1,840
1,840
1,840
1,080
1,080
1,080

5,320
5,320
5,320
3,120
3,120
3,120

3.04
2.85
3.14
2.04
2.04
1.78

8.78
8. 25
6.62
4.25
4.23
3.77

28.6
26.9
29.6
19.2
19.2
16.8

28.6
26.9
21.6
13.9
13.8
12.3

M
M
M

500
500
500

2,120
2,120
2,120

6,120 Demand. _
6,120 ____do...
6,120 Block_____

Demand___
__ _ do
Block.........

1.95
1.80
1.80

5.16
4.78
4.78

18.4
17.0
17.0

16.9
15.6
15.6

M
M
M
M
M
M

550
540
550
550
550
550

1,930
1,960
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930

5,560
5,670
5,560
5, 560
5, 560
5, 560

Straight line
____d o _____
____do___
____do....
____do_____
____do__ __

Straight line
____do______
____do_____
. . . do_____
__ .do_____
Block______

2. 99
3. 04
2. 99

8.62
8.79
8. 62
8. 06
7.78
7.19

28.2
28.7
28.2
26.4
25.5
25.5

28.2
28.7
28.2
26.4
25.5
23.5

M
M
M
M

535
535
535
535

1,980
1,980
1, 980
1,980

5, 720

Block______

9.44

30.8

5, 720 ____do.........
5, 720 ____do_____

10 . 66

38.8

30.8
34.8
33.7
26.8

Straight line.
. ...d o_____
____do_____
____do_____

Sou th A tla n tic

Atlanta:
Sept. 19212—Oct. 31, 1923_____
Nov. 1, 1923-May 1929______
June 1929-Dec. 31, 1929______
Jan. 1, 1930-Sept. 30, 1930.......
Oct. 1, 1930-Jan. 31, 1935_____
Feb. 1, 1935-June 15, 1936____
Baltimore:
July 1, 1921-July 15, 1923 ___
July 16, 1923-Oct. 31, 1929 ___
Nov. 1, 1929-June 15, 1936 __
Charleston:
May 1921 *-Dec. 1923..............
May 1924-June 1929 _______
Sept. 1929-May 31, 1931______
June 1, 1931-Dec. 31, 1933____
Jan. 1, 1934-Nov. 25, 1931____
Nov. 26, 1934-June 15, 1936___
Jacksonville:
Mar. 20, 1922-Sept. 30, 1923....
Oct. 1, 1923-July 31, 1926_____
Aug. 1, 1926-Jan. 31, 1933.........
Feb. 1, 1933-June 15,1936____

Block____
____do____
------ do-------____do_____
__ _do___
____do

5,720 ....... do_____

Block______
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
___do____
____do___ _

1.00
.65
.65
.60

1.00
1.0 0

LOO

____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
200 ....... do--------

200
200

1.00
.65
.65
.60

2 . 80
1.00

300

1.00
1.00

200
200

2.00

500

2. 70
2.70
3.27
4.12
4.03
4.03

10.31
8 .2 0

38.0
38.0

C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R IC E S O F G A S, 1 9 23 -3 6

Omaha:
June 1922 2-June 1924...............
<Sept. 1924-Jan. 31, 1925______
Feb. 1, 1925-Aug. 31, 1927____
Sept. 1, 1927-Dec. 31,192S____
Jan. 1 ,1929-June 30, 1930____
July 1, 1930-June 30, 1931____
July 1 ,1931-Aug. 31, 1932____
Sept. 1, 1932-Feb. 28, 1934____
Mar. 1, 1934-July 31, 1934____
Aug. 1, 1934-June 15, 1936____
St. Louis:
Mar. 15, 1923-Apr. 5, 1929____
Apr. 6. 1929-May 31, 1931.......
June 1, 1931-July 31, 1932____
Aug. 1, 1932-Aug. 26, 1935.....
Aug. 27, 1935-June 15, 1936....
St. Paul:
Sept. 2, 1922-Mar. 31, 1923___
April 1, 1923-Feb. 1925______
Feb. 1925-Jan. 31, 1926______
Feb. 1, 1926-June 15, 1936____

See footnotes at end of table.




OO

T a b l e 1 4 .—

Summarized data used in the computation of retail prices of gas, by companies, March 1923-June 1936, inclusive— Continued
[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M = manufactured, N=natural, and X=mixed manufactured and natural]
Typical consumption and type of rate1

City and period

Range

Range and
water
heater

Rate struc­
ture

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

Rate struc­
ture

Net monthly bills

Net price per
therm

Cubic
Amount feet in­
cluded

10.6 therms

30.6 therms

Range

Range and water heater

10.6 therms 30.6 therms
Range

10.6
30.6
Range and therms
therms
water
heater

South Atlantic—Continued
Norfolk:
Mar. 1923 *-June 1923 *........
Sept. 1923 *...........................
Dec. 1923*— .......................
Mar. 1924-Apr. 30, 1926 *— _
May 1, 1926-Oct. 31, 1929.
Nov. 1 ,1929-June 30,1932...
July 1, 1932-Apr. 14,1933. _.
Apr. 16, 1933-June 16,1936..
Richmond:
May 1921 *-June 1925..........
Sept. 1925-Jan. 31,1926........
Feb. 1, 1926-June 30,1929...
July 1 ,1929-June 15,1936—
Savannah:
June 1922 *-Jan. 9, 1935........
Jan. 10,1935-June 15. 1936...
Washington:
Mar. 18,1922-Nov. 17,1923.
Nov. 18,1923-Sept. 30,1930.
Oct. 1, 1930-Jan. 31,1931....
Feb. 1 ,1931-Feb. 28,1932_.
Mar. 1 ,1932-July 31,1932...
Aug. 1 ,1932-Dec. 15,1 93 5 Dec. 16. 1935-June 15. 1936..




RlnnTr
.do_____
....... do..........
___do______
....... do.........
____do_____
do.
do

Block______
....... do_____
....... do_____
____do_____
....... do_____
____ do_____
....... do_____
____do_____

$2.56
2.47
2.38
2.56
2.70
2. 70
2.60
2.40

$7.35
7.08
6.82
7.35
7.52
7.34
7.12
6. 62

Cents
24.2
23.3
22.4
24.2
25.5
25.5
24.5
22.6

Cents
24.0
23.1
22.3
24.0
24.6
24.0
23.3
21.6

2,020
2,020
2,020

1,930

5,560 Straight line.
5.830 ___ do_____
5.830 Block..........
5.830 .. ..do_____

Straight line.
___ do_____
Block...........
____do_____

2. 51
2.63
2.63
2.63

7.23
7.58
7.48
7.43

23.6
24.8
24.8
24.8

23.6
24.8
24.5
24.3

575
575

1.840
1.840

5, 320
5,320

____do_____
....... do_____

2. 67
2. 30

7.71
6.65

25.2
21.7

25.2
21.7

600
600
600
600
600
600
600

1.770
1.770
1.770
1.770
1.770
1, 770
1. 770

5.100 Straight line.
5.100 ____do_____
__
5.100 Block
5.100 ....... do.........
5.100 ....... do_____
5.100 ....... do_____
5.100 ....... do--------

1.86
1.77
1.74
1.74
1.69
1.55
1.53

5. 36
5.10
4.74
4.74
4.59
4.20
4.08

17.5
16.7
16.4
16.4
16.0
14.6
14.4

17.5
16.7
15.5
15.5
15.0
13.7
13.3

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

580
580
580
580
530
530
530
530

2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000

M
M
M
M

550
525
525
525

M
M
M
M
M
X
X
X
X

1.830
1.830
1.830
1.830

5.280
5.280
5.280
5.280
5.770
5.770
5.770
5.770

___ do..........
___ do..........

Straight line.
....... do.........
Block______
....... do_____
....... do..........
....... do_____
$0.75" ” ""855" ....... do_____ ‘ " “$5.75"

§55’

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R IC E S O F G A S , 19 2 3 -3 6

Service charge

Service charge
Cubic feet equivalent
Heating
to—
Kind value in
of gas British
thermal
units
10.6 therms 30.6 therms

East South Central

See footnotes at end of table.




M
M
M
M
M

530
525
530
532
534

2,000
2,020
%000
l' 990
1,990

5,770
5,830
5,770
5,750
5,730

....... do.........
___ do ____
„_do_........
____ do_____
....... do_____

____ do..........
____ do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
____ do_____

N
X
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
N
X
X
X
X
X

1,130
1,000
1^000
l', 130
l'OOO
1,130
'875
1,130
'875
1,130
875
1,130
875
1,130
865
1,130
865
1,130
865
1,130
865
1,130
865
900
900
900
900

940
1,060
1,060
'940
1,060
'940
1,210
940
1,210
'940
1,210
940
1,210
940
1,230
940
1,230
940
1,230
940
1,230
940
1,230
1,180
1,180
1,180
1,180

2,710
3,060
3,060
2, 710
3,060
2, 710
3,500
2, 710
3,500
2,710
3,500
2,710
3,500
2,710
3,540
2,710
3,540
2,710
3,540
2,710
3,540
2,710
3,540
3,400
3,400
3,400
3,400

____ do_____
do
____ do ___
____do.........
____ do ___
____ do_____
....... do.........
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
.do_____

____do_____
____ do_____
....... do_____
____do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
____ do......... .............. ............
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
....... do_____
....... d o ____
____do_____
....... do..........
____ do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do........ .
600
Straight line.
.60
7.62
600
....... do_____
600
....... do_____
.60
600
....... do_____
7.62

M
N
N

525
980
980

2,020
1,080
1,080

5,830
..do____
3,120 Block______ ....... ."so"
3,120 ------ do--------.80

M
M
M
N
N

525
525
525
960
960

2,020
2,020
2,020
1,100
1,100

5,830
5,830
5,830
3,190
3,190

dc
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
.do .. . .
do
do
Straight line.
------ do-------do _
....... do_____

____ do_____
____ do-------____ do______
____ do_____
____ do__ __ „

.60
*.62
.60
7.62

600
600
600
600

____do______
400" Block
400 ____do_____

i: b6" " ’ "'366*
1.50
300
L 25
300
L25
300

____do_____
....... do_____
....... do--------....... do_____
____ do___ __

.80
.80

__

1.50
1.50
1.25
L25

400
400
" 300
300
300
300

1.60
1.62
1.60
1.59
1.59
.65
.75
.75
.65
.75
.65
.85
.65
.85
.65
.85
.65
.85
.65
.85
.65
.85
.65
.72
.65
.72
.65
.72
.89
7.92
.89
».92
2.42
L55
1.51
3.64
3.91
3.91
2.33
2.25

4.62
4.66
4.62
4.60
4.58
1.45
L57
1.57
1.45
L 57
1.45
1.72
1.45
L 72
1.45
1.72
1.45
1.72
1.45
1.74
1.45
1.74
1.45
1.48
1.45
1.48
1.45
1.48
2.00
72.06
2.00
72.06
7.00
3.73
3.60
10.49
9.24
8.82
5.02
4.75

15.1
15.2
15.1
15.0
15.0
6.1
7.0
7.0
6.1
7.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
8.0
6.1
6.8
6.1
6.8
6.1
6.8
8.4
8.7
8.4
8.7
22.9
14.6
14.3
34.3
36.9
36.9
22.0
21.2

15.1
15.2
15.1
15.0
15.0
4.7
5.1
5.1
4.7
5.1
4.7
5.6
4.7
5.6
4.7
5.6
4.7
5.6
4.7
5.7
4.7
5.7
4.7
4.8
4.7
4.8
4.7
4.8
6.5
6.7
6.5
6.7
22.9
12.2
11.8
34.3
30.2
28.8
16.4
15.5

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

Birmingham:
Aug. 1 ,1922-Feb. 28,1930...........
March 1 ,1930-Feb. 28, 1933 ___
Mar. 1,
iou
Mar. lj 1934-Dec. 31,' 1934 .........
Jan, 1,'lfl35-JT)TiA 1.^ 1QSR
Louisville:
May 20, 1914-Nov. 30.19 2 3 ,
Dec. 1 1923-Feh.
i024
Mar. 1 ,1924-Mar. 31, 1924 _ . .
Apr. 1,' 1924-Nov. 30,' 1924 .......
Dec. 1,' 1924-Mar. 31,' 1925..........
Apr. i, 1925-Nov. 30', 1925 .........
Dec. 1 ,1925-Mar. 31,1926.........
Apr. 1 ,1926-Nov. 30, 1926..........
Dec, 1, IMfi-Mar, 31, 199.7
Apr. 1, 1927-Nov. 30' 1927..........
Dec. 1 ,1927-Mar. 31,1928.........
Apr. 1 ,1928-Nov. 30,1928.........
Dec. 1 ,1928-Mar. 31, 1929..........
Apr. 1 ,1929-Nov. 30,1929 ___
Dec. 1, 1929-Mar. 31,1930 ___
Apr. 1, 1930-Nov. 30,1930.........
Dec. 1 ,1930-Mar. 31,1931_____
Apr. 1, 1931-Nov. 30, 1931..........
Dec. 1, 1931-Mar 31, 1932
Apr. 1, 1932-Nov. 30, 1932
Dec. 1, 1932-Mar. 31,1933
Apr. 1 ,1933-Nov. 30,1933. ___
Dec. 1, 1933-Feb. 28,1934______
Mar. 1, 1934r-June 30,1934_____
July 1, 1934-Jan. 14,1936______
Jan. 15, 1936-May 12,1936..........
May 13, 1936-June 15, 1936........
Memphis:
June 1922 2-Dec. 31,1928
Jan. 1 ,1929-Nov. 14,1929...........
Nov. 15,1929-June 15,1936........
Mobile:
May 1921 *-Feb. 28, 1927______
Mar. 1, 1927-Dec. 31,1929_____
Jan. 1 ,1930-Oct. 12, 1930______
Oct. 13,1930-Dec. 31, 1935..........
Jan. 1, 1936-June 15,1936...........

O

T a b l e 1 4 . — S u m m a r iz ed data used in the com putation o f retial prices o f gas , b y com p a n ies , M a r c h 1 9 8 3 - J u n e 1 9 3 6 , inclusive — C o n tin u e d
[Kinds of gas are indicated as follows: M = manufactured, N =natural, and X = m ix e d manufactured and natural]

Typical consumption and type of rate1
Service charge

Service charge

West South Central
Dallas:
May 19212-June 8, 1925 ______
June 9 ,1925-Dec. 31,1926...........
Jan. 1 ,1927-Jan. 1929..................
Feb. 1929-Dec. 1935....................
Jan. 1936-June 15,1936...............
Houston:
Apr. 1920 *-Apr. 30,1925...........
May 1 ,1925-April 1926...............
May 1926-June 15, 1936 .......
Little Rock:
Apr. 1919 2- July 14,1923______
July 15,1923-June 30,1935____
July 1,1935-June 15,1936
New Orleans:
Sept. 27,1922-Sept. 5,1928____
Sept. 6,1928-June 15, 1936..........
Mountain
Butte:
May 1921 *-Sept. 3,1931_______
Sept. 4, 1931-Nov. 14, 1935____
Nov. 15, 1935-June 15, 1936____
Denver:
Apr. 1919 *-Feb. 10, 1927_____
Feb. 11,1927-June 30, 1928_____
July 1, 1928-Sept. 24, 1934
Sept. 25, 1934r-Feb. 28, 1935.........
Mar. 1 ,1935-June 15, 1936..........
Salt Lake City:
Nov. 26, 1920-June 1924..............
Sept. 1924-Mar. 4, 1925________




1,060
1,060
1,060
1,040

N
N
N
N
N

1,015
1,050

M
M
N

1 ,000

1,060

5,770 ____do_____
5,770 __ do
3,060 ____do_____

N
N
N

1 ,000
1 ,0 0 0
1 ,0 0 0

1,060
1,060
1,060

M
N

600
950

1,770
1,120

5,100
3,220

M
N
N

525
850
850

2,020

M
M
N
N
N
M
M

1,000
1,000
1,0 0 0

1,010

3,060
3,060
3,060
3,010
2,910

Straight line_
....... do_____
....... do_____
____do_____
....... do_____

$0.67
1.17
1.17
1.17

400
700
700
700

Rate struc­
Cubic
ture
Amount feet in­
cluded
30.6 therms

10.6 therms

Range and water heater

Range

Straight line.
____ do..........
____do..........
____do_____
____do_____

.50

....... do_____
____do_____
dn

do , ,
3,060
3,060 ____do_____
_ do _ __
3,060

.50
*. 51

____do_____
____do.
do _

Block..........
Straight line.

.25

1,250
1,250

5,830 Block
3,600 Straight line3,600 ....... do_____

1.25

335
335
845
845
845

3,160
3,160
1,250
1,250
1,250

9,130 ____do_____
9,130 ___do __
3,620 Block,
3,620 ....... do_____
3,620 ......... d o ............

.90
.90
<. 92

458
463

2,310
2,290

6,680 ....... d o _____
6,610 ____ do_____

.25 ______ ____ do_____
____ do_____
.25 —

530
530

2,0 0 0
2 ,000

1.0 0

1,000

Net monthly bills

$0.67
1.17
1.17
1.17

400
700
700
700

Net price per
therm

30.6 therms
30.6
10.6
Range and therms
therms
water
heater

$0.72
L 05
1.29
1.28
1.26

$2.07
2.40
2.64
2.61
2.54

2.18

Cents Cents
6.7
6.7
9.9
7.8
1 2 .2
12.1

8 .6

11.9

8.5
8.3
2 0 .6

19.8

19.8

L 19

6.29
6.06
2.49

2 0 .6

.50

11.2

8 .1

.50
*. 51

*1.00
1.08
a n

1.38
2.18
<2.23

9.4
1 0 .2

10.4

4.5
7.1
7.3

Block______
Straight line.

.25

2.30
1.26

6.63
3.15

21.7
11.9

21.7
10.3

Block..........
Straight line.
____do_____

1.25

4.24
1.81

11.79
2.87
2.17

40.0
17.1
10.5

38.5
9.4
7.1

8.67

28.3
26.8
19.8
19.8

2 .1 0

1 .0 0

1,000

1.11

....... do_____ _______ _ ___ ___
____do_____
.90
400
400 Block. . ,
.90
400 ....... do_____
400
4. 92
400
400 ....... do_____

3.00
2.84

.25 __ . .. .
.25 —

<2.14

4.12
4.07
<4.15

2 0 .2

28.3
26.8
13.5
13.3
13.6

3.73
3.70

0.94
0.84

35.2
34.9

32.5
32.1

2 .1 0
2 .1 0

8 .2 2

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

City and period

Cubic feet equivalent Rate struc­
Cubic
Heating
to—■
ture
Amount feet in­
Kind value in
cluded
of gas British
thermal
units
10.6 therms
10.6 therms 30.6 therms
Range and
Range
Range
water
heater

M a r . 5, 1 9 2 5 -M a r. 1 9 2 7 .................
J u n e 19 2 7 -S ep t. 1 9 2 7 - .....................
D e c . 1 9 2 7 -M a r. 1 9 2 8 .- .....................
J u n e 1 9 2 8 -A u g . 31, 1929. ................
S e p t . 1, 1 9 2 9 -A u g . 3, 1933...............
A u g . 4 , 19 3 3 -J u n e 15, 1936..............

M
M
M
M
N
N

463
458
437
415
865
865

2,290
2,310
2,430
2,550
1,230
1,230

8,610
6,680
7,000
7,370
3,540
3,540

X
X
N
N
N
N

750
850
1,100
1, 100
1,100
1,100

1,410
1,250
'960
960
960
960

4,080 ....... do..........
3,600 __do______
2, 780
__do_____
2,780 Straight line.
2,780 Block______
2,780 ____do_____

X
X
N
N
N
N

1,100
1,100
1,100
1,100

1,410
1,250
960
960
960
960

570
570
570
570

____ do_____
____ do_____
....... do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
....... do..........

LOO
1.00
1.00
1.00

.90
4. 92

400
400
400
400
400
400

____ do..........
....... do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
....... do_____
____ do_____

400
400
400
400
400
400

LOO
LOO
1.00
1.00

.90
4. 92

3.60
3.63
3.78
3.93
2.08
4 2 .12

8.84
8.92
9.29
9.72
4.07
4 4.16

34.0
34.2
35.6
37.1
19.6
20.0

28.9
29.2
30.4
31.8
13.3
13.6

9.0

9.0

P a cific

D e o 1Q2Q

M a r . 1, 193d-Apr~. 30, 1936IIIIZZI
M a y 1, 193 6-J u n e 15, 1936..............
S e a ttle :
A p r . 1, 1 9 2 0 -D e c. 1929......................
J u n e 1930-A u g . 11, 1930__________
A u g . 12, 1 9 3 0 -N o v . 15, 1931...........
N o v . 16, 193 1-J u n e 30, 1932..........
J u ly 1, 193 2-J u n e 15, 1936. ...........

M
M
M

M
M
M
M
M
M

M
X
X
N
N
M
M
M
M

M

.96
.85

.80
.80
.80

____ do_____
____ do_____
___ _do_____
300 Straight line.
300 Block______
300 ____ do_____

4,080 ____do_____
3; 600 ....... do_____
2,780
do.
2,780 Straight line.
2,780 Bloek______
2,780 ....... do..........

.80
.80
.80

____ do_____
____do_____
____do_____
300 Straight line.
300 Block_
300 ____ do_____

.80
.80
.80

300
300
300

1,860
1,860
1,860
1,860

5,370
5,370
5,370
5,370

____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____

.71
.71
.71
.71

300
300
300
300

.71
.71
.71
.71

550
550
550
550
550
550
578
610
1,350
1,150

1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,930
1,830
1,740
920
920

5,560
5,560
5,560
5, 560
5,560
5,560
5,290
5,020
2,660
2,660

____do_____
do
____do_____
__ _do____
____do_____
____do____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
....... do_____

____ do_____
_ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do_____
____ do..........
do
.60
____ do_____
.77 " ” ' 266' ____ do_____

500
500
500
500
500

2,120
2,120
2,120
2,120
2,120

6,120
6,120
6,120
6,120
6,120

____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
....... do_____

750
850

.75
1. 35
.75
.75
7.77

500
900
500
9500
9500

....... do_____
____do_____
____do_____
....... do_____

____ do_____
____ do_____
____do_____
____ do_____
____ do..........

.80
.80
.80

300
300
300

.88

1.28
1.26
L26

2.77
2.45
2.56
2.60
2.51
2.43

8.0

8.3
1 2 .1
1 1 .8
1 1 .8

9.0

8 .2
8.0

9.0

1.28
1.26
1.26

2.77
2.45
2. 56
2.60
2. 51
2.43

1 2 .1
1 1.8
1 1.8

8.2
8.0

300
300
300
300

2.31
2.36
2.34
2.34

5.92
6.06
5.99
5.96

2 1.8
22.2
22.0
22.0

19.3
19.8
19.6
19.5

5.12
5.56
5.84
5.28
5.23
5.00
4.76
4.52

.60
.77

2.86

16.7
18.2
19.1
17.3
17.1
16.4
15.5
14.8
13.0

16.7
18.2
19.1
17.3
17.1
16.4
15.5
14.8
9.3

200

1.78
1.93
2.03
1.83
1.81
L 74
L 65
1.57
1.38
1.27

12.0

8 .1

.75
1.35

500
900

3.16
3.16
3.16
3.01
73 .10

8.08
8.08
7.29
5.17
75.32

29.8
29.8
29.8
28.4
29.2

26.4
26.4
23.8
16.9
17.4

.96
.85

100
1.00
LOO ___

7 1.03

__

—

.88

2.49

8.0

8.3

1 See page 18 for explanation of technical terms and description of types of rate structuresand service charges.
• Cubic feet equivalent to 2 therms.
3 First reported on this date. Record of the exact date on which this rate was effective isnot on file inthis Bureau.
TTax of 3 percent has been included.
* Rates for this period were subject to adjustment for cost of manufacture.
•Sales tax of 1 percent has been included.
4 Tax of 2 percent has been included.
• Cubic feet equivalent to 2.5 therms.
* Minimum bill.




8.0

8.3
8.5

8.0

8.3
8.5

C H A N G E S IN R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

L o s A n g e le s :
C o . 1:
O c t . 1, 1 9 2 2 -M a r c h 1923.............
J u n e 1 9 2 3 -F e b . 8 ,1 9 2 7 .— ..........
F e b . 9, 1 9 2 7 -N o v . 30, 1928..........
D e c . 1, 1928-J u n e 5, 1 9 3 3 ...........
J u n e 6, 1 9 3 3 -F e b . 14, 1936_____
F e b . 15, 1 9 3 6 -J u n e 15, 1 9 3 6 . . . .
C o . 2:
M a r . 1923 *............... ..........................
A p r i l 1 9 2 3 -F e b . 9, 1927________
F e b . 10, 1 9 2 7 -N o v . 30, 1 9 2 8 ....
D e c . 1, 192 8-J u n e 30, 1933_____
J u l y 1, 1 9 3 3 -F e b . 14, 1936______
F e b . 15, 193 6 -J u n e 1 5 ,1 9 3 6 ____
P o r t la n d , O re g .:
S e p t. 1, 1922-Jan, 3 0 ,1 9 2 6 ..............
J a n . 31, 1 9 2 6 -F e b . 19, 1927_______
F e b . 20, 1 9 2 7 -F e b . 14, 1929............
F e b . 15, 192 9-J u n e 15, 1936............
S a n F r a n cis c o :
A u g . 25, 1 9 2 2 -M a r. 4, 1924.............
M a r . 5, 1 9 2 4 -M a r. 3, 1 9 2 5 .. ..........
M a r . 4, 1 9 2 5 -N o v . 25, 1925_______
N o v . 26, 1 9 2 5 -F e b . 26, 1928______
F e b . 27, 1 9 2 8 -F e b . 13, 1929............
F e b . 14, 192 9-J u n e 1929...................
S e p t . 1929.......................... ................... ..

48

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

H istory o f Collection and Publication o f Retail Prices
o f Gas, 1907-36
G eneral
Retail prices of gas were first collected by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics in 1911. Prices per thousand cubic feet were secured by
correspondence for quarterly periods of each year beginning with 1907
from companies serving each of the 39 cities covered for retail prices
of food. Rate changes were infrequent during these years and reports
for April only were published for the purpose of showing price trends.
Eleven cities were added to the reporting service between 1913 and
1918. Rates effective in April of each year, beginning with 1913,
were later secured from the companies serving these cities. Table 15
shows the dates and frequency of collections of rate schedules.
T

able

1 5 - — F req u en cy o f collection o f dom estic rate schedules f o r ga st 1 9 0 7 - S 6
Date

Frequency of collection

Annually: Apr. 15.i
Semiannually: Apr. 15, Oct. 15.
Annually: Apr. 15.
May 15, Sept. 15, Dec. 15.
1922-24........................... Quarterly: Mar. 15, June 15, Sept. 15, Dec. 15.
1925-33_____ _________ Semiannually: June 15, Dec. 15.
1934.................. .......... June 15, Nov. 15.
1935........ ..................... Mar. 15, July 15, Oct. 15.
1936________________ Quarterly: Jan. 15, Apr. 15, July 15.
1907-11______ _______

1912-15........ ............ ..
1916-20........ ............ .
1921________________

* Prices were collected but not published for January, July, and October of these years.

Since 1907 a m ajority of the reporting cities have been served with
manufactured gas. The number, however, has gradually been de­
creased by the introduction of straight natural gas or mixed manu­
factured and natural gas. In some cities two kinds of gas were
served, either simultaneously through separate meters or alternately
at different seasons of the year through the same meter. A record
of the total number of reporting cities and of these served by each
kind of gas during the years 19 0 7 -3 6 , inclusive, shown in table 16,
illustrates the trend toward an increasing use of natural gas.
From 1907 to 1911, rates for practically all of the reporting cities
provided either a flat rate for all gas consumed, or a block schedule
in which the first block covered a consumption greatly in excess of
the requirements for household use. I t was therefore unnecessary to
ask the companies to file rate schedules with the Bureau. W ith the
introduction, in later years, of domestic rate schedules, which pro­
vided a lower price per thousand cubic feet as the consumption
increased, it became necessary to collect rate schedules to be used
as a basis for computing average prices of gas.




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

49

T a b l e 1 6 .— Total nu m ber o f reporting c ities; n u m ber reporting f o r m an u fa ctu red ,
natural, and m ixed m anu factured and natural g a s; and n u m ber reporting f o r m ore
than one k in d o f gas, 1 9 0 7 - 3 6

C it ie s r e p o r t in g —
D a t e s o f c o lle c t io n

A p r il 1 9 0 7 -A p ril 1911........................................... __
A p r i l 1 9 1 2 .. .'............................. ..................................
A p r i l 1913.......................................................... .............
A p r i l 1 9 1 4 -A p r il 1919....................... .......... .............
A p r i l 1 9 2 0 -J u n e 1922............................... .................
S e p t e m b e r 1 9 2 2 -M a r c h 1925................................
J u n e 1 9 2 5 -M a r c h 1926............................ .................
J u n e 1 9 2 6 -D e c e m b e r 1926____________________
M a r c h 1927-J u n e 1928________________________
S e p t e m b e r 1 9 2 8 -D e c e m b e r 192 8-......................
M a r c h 1 9 2 9 -J u n e 1929_____ __________________
S e p t e m b e r 1 9 2 9 -D e c e m b e r 1929.........................
M a r c h 193 0.____________________________________
J u n e 1930......... ..............................................................
D e c e m b e r 1930_____ ________ _________ _________
M a r c h 1931-J u n e 1931______________________
S e p t e m b e r 1931________________________________
D e c e m b e r 1931______________________________
M a r c h 193 2-J u n e 1932.............................. .......... ..
S e p t e m b e r 1 9 3 2 -S e p te m b e r 1933.......................
D e c e m b e r 1 9 3 3 -M a r c h 1 9 3 5 _ _ .........................
J u n e 1935-J u n e 1936...................................... ..........

T o t a l re ­
p o r t in g
c itie s

M anu­
fa c tu r e d

39
40
50
50
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
50
50

35
34
44
43
43
42
42
41
41
39
38
36
35
34

50

32

50
50
50
50
50

31

50

33
30

28
27
27
25

N a tu ra l

C it ie s re ­
p o r t in g o n
t w o k in d s
o f g as 1

M ix e d

7
9
9
9
9
8
7
8
9
11
12
13

1
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
3
3
3
4

15
15
16
16

3

17
17
19
19
18
18

6
6
6

4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1

7

0

3
3

4
4

5

» The cities which reported two kinds of gas are:
Buffalo.—Both natural and manufactured gas were reported for 1907 through June 1922, when reports for
manufactured gas were discontinued.
Pittsburgh.—Both natural and manufactured gas were reported for 1907 through April 1919. Plants
manufacturing artificial gas were discontinued early in 1919.
Cleveland,.—Both natural and manufactured gas were reported for 1907 through March 1935. Reports
for manufactured gas were then discontinued as very little had been used for household purposes for a number
of years.
Louisville.—From January 1907 through April 1913, manufactured gas for illumination and mixed natural
and manufactured gas were served through separate meters. From April 1913 through September 1933,
natural gas was served when the supply was sufficient. During the winter months when the demand was
heavy, manufactured gas was mixed with the natural gas.

Radical changes in types of domestic rate structures, the use of
new and improved household appliances, the introduction of natural
gas with a high heating value into cities formerly served with manu­
factured gas, and the increasing tendency to measure gas in terms of
heat units, have resulted in the introduction of new methods of
computing average prices of gas for domestic consumption. Explana­
tions of the methods are shown in following paragraphs. For definitions
of the technical terms used in these explanations see page 18.
Table 17 lists the publications in which prices computed under each
method have been presented.




50
T

C H A N G E S I N R E T A I L P R I C E S O F G A S , 1 9 2 3 -3 6

able

1 7 . — P u b lica tio n o f -prices o f gas f o r dom estic co n su m p tio n f o r each series,
A p ril 1 9 0 7 -J u ly 1 9 3 6

Bulletin

Periods covered

1907-19, inclusive
Prices for the first 1,000 cubic feet, by companies
105______________
106, 108__________
110, 113, 115...........
125, 132, 136______
138, 140.................
156______________
184______________
197______________
228_
____
“ Retail Prices”__

Apr. 15-1907-Apr. 15, 1911.
Apr. 15, 1911-Apr. 15, 1912.
Apr. 15, 1912-Oct. 15, 1912.
Oct. 15, 1912-Apr. 15, 1913.
Apr. 15, 1913-Oct. 15,1913.
Oct. 15, 1913-Oct. 15, 1914.
Oct. 15, 1914-Apr. 15, 1915.
Apr. 15, 1915-Oct. 15, 1915.
Oct. 15, 1915-Apr. 15, 1916.
Prices for Apr. 15, 1917, 1918,
and 1919were published in the
June issue for these years.

1907-25, inclusive
Prices for the first 1,000 cubic feet, by cities 1
270______________
300______________
315______________
334______________
366______________
396______________
418______________

Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.

15, 1913-Apr.
15, 1907-Apr.
15, 1907-Dec.
15, 1907-Dec.
15, 1907-Dec.
15, 1907-Dec.
15, 1907-Dec.

15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,

1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
1923.
1924.
1925.

Bulletin

Periods covered

1907-34, inclusive
Prices based on consumption of 3,000 cubic feet for
manufactured gas and 5,000 cubic feet for natural
and mixed manufactured and natural gas, by
cities i
445______________ Apr. 15, 1913-Dec. 15, 1926.
464.................. ...... Apr. 15, 1907-Dec. 15, 1927.
495______________ Apr. 15, 1907-Dec. 15, 1928.
“ Retail Prices” __

June 1929-Nov. 1934.

Prices for March a]tid July 1935 were not published
October 1935 to date
Net monthly bills and prices per thousand cubic
feet and per therm for each of 4 typical residential
services, by cities.
“ Retail Prices”
Nov. 1935________
Jan. 1936________
Apr. 1936________
July 1936________

Oct. 1935.
Jan. 1936.
Apr. 1936.
July 1936.

“Retail Prices” . . . June 1920 and subsequent is­
sues covering periods of col­
lection also presented these
data.
i I n d e x n u m b e r s (A p r . 1913*= 100) fo r m a n u fa c t u r e d g a s w e re c o m p u t e d fr o m t h e a v e r a g e p r ic e for t h e
r e p o r t in g citie s.

Prices fo r th e First T hou san d Cubic Feet o f Gas, 1907-25
Prices for the first 1,000 cubic feet of gas were published for each
reporting company for 1 9 0 7-19, inclusive. Beginning with 1920
prices were published by cities— a simple average was computed for
all cities served by two or more companies.
Index numbers (April 1913 = 100) for manufactured gas were com­
puted from the simple averages of prices by cities.
The types of rate schedules available to residential customers have
shown marked changes from the straight-line type generally in effect
in 1907. In that year only 1 of the 39 cities was served under a rate
whereby the average residential customer was benefited by lower
prices for an increased consumption of gas. In Salt Lake C ity a lower
price was paid for gas used in excess of 2,000 cubic feet. Block rates
providing for lower prices for gas consumed in excess of 10,000 cubic
feet were effective in only 4 cities reporting in 1907. A gradual
increase in the use of this type of rate schedule and in the introduc­
tion of service charges was shown during the years from 1907 to
1920. During the 6-year period, 1 920-25, inclusive, 40 percent of
the 51 reporting cities either introduced a service charge or a blockmeter schedule having 10,000 or less cubic feet at the primary rate,




CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

51

or further modified these types already in use. In 1925 rate schedules
having initial blocks of 10,000 cubic feet were effective in 11 cities;
and from 3,000 to 7,800 cubic feet in 7 cities. Service charges or
initial blocks of 2,000 cubic feet or less were applicable for 16 cities.
Prices of Gas Based on Average Family Consumption, 1907-34

Due to the more extensive use of the block type and the inclusion
of service charges as a feature of domestic rates for gas, by 1926 the
price for the first 1,000 cubic feet no longer furnished an equitable
method of presenting prices for domestic use.
Accordingly, in 1926 prices were based on the use of 3,000 cubic
feet of manufactured gas and 5,000 cubic feet of natural gas or of mixed
manufactured and natural gas. These consumption factors represent
the average family use of gas as determined from statements received
from reporting companies and from records published in trade maga­
zines and governmental reports. On this basis prices were recomputed
back through 1907 and carried forward through 1934.
Index numbers (April 1913 = 100) for manufactured gas were
computed from the simple averages of prices by cities.
Prices of Gas for Specified Domestic Services, 1923-36

The increased and more widely distributed use of natural gas, the
introduction of new appliances, and the improvements in those used
for many years, together with the changes in rate structures resulting
from these developments, led the Bureau to undertake the computa­
tion of prices based upon specifications identical for all cities and
better suited to current conditions in the industry.
Under the present method, adopted in 1935, prices are based upon
a definite number of heat units (therms) for each of four selected
services. The number of therms used for each service is constant
for all cities, regardless of the variations in the kind and heating
value of the gas served in the different cities.
The heat requirements used as the basis for computing prices
were determined from a careful analysis of reports representing con­
ditions in all sections of the United States. They were approved
by engineers in the utility field as typical of the average use of gas
for each service for a 5-room house, including living room, dining
room, kitchen, and two bedrooms.
These specifications now used are:
Therms
10.6. R ange.
19.6. Range and m an u al-type water heater.
3 0 .6 . Range and autom atic-storage or instantaneous-type water
heater.
40 .6 . Range, autom atic-storage or instantaneous-type water heater,
and refrigerator.




52

CHANGES IN RETAIL PRICES OF GAS, 1923-36

A five-room house which has been used to represent an average size
home in other studies conducted by this Bureau has been accepted as
being well suited to the twofold use required for this specification in
the determination of net m onthly bills for gas used for domestic pur­
poses. First: The designation of a five-room house on questionnaires
requesting records or estimates of the amount of gas required for the
use of specified domestic appliances definitely indicated the nature and
limitations of the information desired. Second: From the information
at hand it has been accepted as a fair standard for computing net
monthly bills from rate schedules under which the number of cubic
feet in each block was regulated according to the number of rooms in
the home. It is recognized, however, that due to variations in cus­
tomer habits and number of occupants, the net monthly bills m ay be
equally representative for small apartments or for houses with more
than five rooms.

The method of determining consumption factors is discussed in
the computation of prices, page 2. These consumption factors,
are based on standards of heat expressed in therms (1 therm= 100,000
B. t. u.). This was deemed advisable because of the differences in the
heating value of the gas between cities reporting to the Bureau, as well
as of extreme changes within the cities where the kind of gas served
was changed from manufactured, with a range of from 335 to 600
B. t. u., to natural or mixed manufactured and natural, of from 800 to
1,150 B. t. u.
For two of the four services, 10.6 therms (range only) and 30.6
therms automatic water heater combined with range), net monthly
bills have been computed for quarterly periods beginning with March
1923. These bills have been used as the basis for computing indexes
for individual cities, the indexes for 50 cities combined, and subindexes
for cities served with manufactured gas, natural gas, and mixed gas
which are presented in this pamphlet.




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