Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1953
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Issued May 22^ 1953 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. EXECUTIVE 3-2*120 Moffdtt - Ext. 532 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX APRIL 1953 Consumer Price Index Rises 0.1 Percent Between March and April as Prices for Most Major Groups Show Small Advances This report presents the Consumer Price Index for April 1953 for the average of U.S. cities and for individual cities. The measurement of price change from January 1953 forward is based on the revised index structure. Information about the index revision is given in the February 1953 Monthly Labor Review or is available upon request. Retail prices of goods and services bought by families of urban wage and clerical workers averaged 0.1 percent higher between March and April 1953> according to the U. S. Department of Laborfs Bureau of Labor Statistics. Slight decreases occurred in the indexes for Food and Apparel while other major groups rose 0.3 percent or less, with the exception of the Medical Care group which rose 0.6 percent. The index for April was 113-7 (19^7-^9 « 100), 0.7 percent higher than a year ago and 11.7 percent above June 1950* Converted to a 1935-39 * 100 base, the revised index was 190.1. FOOD The U.S. Food index resumed its decline from the August peak, following the slight increase of last month, with a decrease of 0.2 percent from March to April. The April index was 111.5 (19^7-^9 » 100), 2.1 percent below a year ago but 10.9 percent above June 1950. Retail food prices, on the average, were lower in the majority of the large cities surveyed, but higher in most of the medium-sized and small cities largely because of differences in the magnitude of price changes for dairy products and fruits and vegetables. Changes in all food subgroup indexes were fairly small. The largest decrease among the published subgroups was 1.2 percent in the Dairy Products index with fresh milk prices undergoing sizeable reductions in a number of large cities. Butter prices were also generally lower. There was, however, a 1.2 percent rise in the index of "Other Foods at Home," resulting from increases chiefly in the prices of coffee, eggs, and fats and oils. The Meats, Poultry and Fish index, which has declined steadily since last August, continued this trend because of lower beef prices and was 0.6 percent below last month and 10.6 percent below the peak of 119.4 (19^7-^9 • 100) reached in August 1952. Beef and veal prices declined generally (about 2 percent on the average) and poultry prices were substantially lower in a few cities (about 1 percent on the average for all cities). Prices of pork and lamb were approximately 1 percent higher over the month. 2 The Fruits and Vegetables index fell 0,4 percent as an average decrease of about k percent in fresh vegetable prices more than offset price increases of a little over 2 percent for fresh fruits. Generally, lover prices were reported for lettuce, onions, potatoes, and carrots,, Bread prices rose in Chicago and Washington, D. C., accounting for much of the rise of 0.3 percent in the Cereals and Bakery Products index. Restaurant meal prices averaged slightly lower in April. Retail food prices showed a 0.9 percent increase between April 13 and April 27, 1953> according to preliminary estimates based on 6 cities. Restaurant meals are not included in these estimates. HOUSING The Housing index for April was 117.0, up 0.2 percent above last month. An increase of 0.3 percent over the month was reported for residential rents and other shelter expenses. The Household Operation index also advanced 0.3 percent as increases were reported in a few cities for dry cleaning, laundry, and domestic services. The largest decline from March was for Solid Fuels and Fuel Oil which dropped 0.6 percent. The Housefurnishings index for April was 0.2 percent below March with lower prices reported for washing machines, electric refrigerators and toilet tissue. APPAREL The Apparel index declined slightly (0.1 percent) over the month. Decreases reported for women1s and girls' apparel, especially in the large cities, accounted for most of the group decline. Seasonal clearance prices for women's wool suits and lightweight coats and lower prices for rayon suits and nylon hose were largely responsible for the decline in women's and girls' apparel. Prices for men's and boys1 apparel were unchanged, on the average, while the cost of footwear advanced slightly. OTHER GROUPS The Medical Care index rose 0.6 percent, primarily as the result of increases for group hospitalization rates in a few cities. The Other Goods and Services index advanced 0.3 percent over the month as higher prices were again reported for cigarettes. Transportation and Personal Care costs increased 0.1 percent. Increases were reported for a few items in these groups such as auto repairs, gasoline, and beauty shop services. The Reading and Recreation Group index rose 0.2 percent, reflecting scattered increases for movie admissions and television repairs. OLD SERIES: The Bureau has resumed compilation of the Old Series Index, as directed by the President on January 30. It is expected that the April 1953 Old Series indexes will be available about the end of May. TABLE 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — U.S. .AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates March 1953 This Month February 1953 April 1952 June 1950 Last Month April 1953 GROUP 2 Months Ago Last Year Pre-Korea Year 1939 PreWorld War II INDEXES (1947-1+9 a 100) ALL ITEMS 113.7 113.6 113«,k 112.9 101.8 59.1* FOOD 111.5 111.7 ill. .5 113.9 100.5 1*7.1 113.9 115.6 2/ HOUSING 3/ 109.0 115.0 110. u 117.7 107.1* 110.3 115.5 109.1 ill, ,1 ,6 117. 107. .7 1 1 0 , .7 115-.9 107. .3 121.1 105.0 117.0 Food at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 91*. l 116.8 116. ,6 lll*.0 101*. 9 y 121.7 106.5 124.1* 108.0 116.9 103.9 117.3 108.7 111.0 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.1* 99.6 86.6 ioi*. 9 111.3 111.1 118.0 106.8 111*. 8 110.k 1*7.1 57.2 1*1.6 1*9.8 1*6.3 122.1 106.5 123.6 107.8 11U.3 llk.O 121, -5 106. .1 123. .3 108, ,0 •5 113. 10^.6 101*. 7 101*.,6 106.0 96.5 52.5 TRANSPORTATION 129.1* 129.3 ,1 129. 121*.8 109.9 y MEDICAL CARE 120.2 119.5 119. .3 115.9 105.1* y PERSONAL CARE 112.5 112.1* 112. -5 111.3 99.2 READING AND RECREATION 107.9 107.7 107. 5 • 106.2 102.5 117.9 117.5 ,8 115. 115.2 103.7 y y y April 1952 June 1950 Rent Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings Household operation APPAREL V OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/ i 1 56.1* y PERCENT CHANGE TO APRIL 1953 FROM: i March 1953 0.1 ALL ITEMS FOOD Year 1939 0.7 0.3 11.7 91.1* - 0.2 2/ Food at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other food at home HOUSING February 1953 0 - 2.1 10.9 136.7 - 0.2 0.3 0 10.5 ll*.9 0.7 18.1 12.2 17.3 135.9 106.3 156.7 118.9 11*8.1* 128.1 2/ 1.2 0.3 2.6 11.5 53.7 0.3 0 0.5 0.1* 0.2 k.k 2.5 5.4 1*1.0 1.5 119.1 101.9 3.0 12.3 3.7 11*.9 10,7 ll*.8 - 1.3 8.1* 99.2 0.6 - 1.2 - 0.1* 3/ Rent Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings Household operation 2.9 - 2.5 2.1 - 7.0 - 1.3 ~ 5.0 5.1 0.2 - - 0.3 0.8 1.5 0.8 - 0.2 0.7 - 0.8 67.1 1/ U 0.1 0 TRANSPORTATION 0.1 0.2 3.7 17.7 87.8 1/ MEDICAL CARE 0.6 0.8 3.7 11*.0 65.6 1/ PERSONAL CARE OJ 0 1.1 13.1* 88.8 7/ READING AND RECREATION 0.2 0.1* 1.6 5.3 71.3 1/ 0.3 1.8 2.3 13.7 67.0 1/ APPAREL k/ OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 2/ 3/ t/ 5/ 6/ 7/ - 0.6 0.2 0.3 - 5/ Includes "Food away from home" for which indexes will he available later in 1953* Includes "Other shelter" for which indexes will be available later in 1953* Indexes for subgroups of apparel will be available later in 1953* Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). Not available. Indexes for 1939 will be published when calculations are completed. Appr ox imate. 4 TABLE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities ( 1 9 ^ 7 - 4 9 « 10 0) (1935-39 » 100) City April 1953 March 1953 113.7 113.6 114.2 115.2 115.6 111.1 U3.7 113.8 115.2 115.4 111.2 114.1 February 1953 June 1950 April 1953 113.4 112.9 101.8 190.1 113.9 115.1 114.9 111.1 113.7 113.4 113.6 114.6 110.9 113.1 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 194.5 194.5 193.2 183.9 189.2 April 1952 U.S. AVERAGE j}/ April 1952 April 1950 April 1953 111.1 113.9 113.5 112.3 114.7 101.2 101.4 102.1 99.9 101.5 179.8 184.0 190.6 191.8 199.9 p! CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: Chicago Detroit '—-Los Angeles New York Philadelphia CITIES PRICED IN JAN., APR., JULY, OCT. 4/ Boston Kansas City Minneapolis Pittsburgh * - P o r t l a n d , Ore. 111.7 114.3 115.1 112.8 115.4 CITIES PRICED IN MAR., JUNE, SEPT., DEC. 4/ June 1950 March 1953 115.1 112.3 111.3 114.0 113.0 116.7 114.2 112.6 114.7 115.5 CITIES PRICED IN FEB., MAY, AUG., NOV. k/ 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 197.9 196.3 I89.6 191.4 197.4 February 1952 112.5 116.1 112,2 114.6 113.0 Cleveland — t - Houston. Scranton Seattle Washington, D.C. 4/ 5/ 0/ 1/ March 1952 Atlanta Baltimore Cincinnati St. Louis San Francisco 1/ 2/ 3/ 5/ 112.6 114.8 110.8 114.3 112.0 May 1950 February 1953 100.4 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 191.7 196.6 186.5 195.9 185.5 See General Explanation at end of tables. These are the same indexes shown in columns 1, 2 or 3, converted to a base of 1935-39 » 100. The U.S. Average is "based on prices collected ia 46 cities. In addition to the 20 cities listed individually, 26 cities are included in the national average. Indexes are not calculated for these 26 cities. Foods, fuels, rents and a fev other items priced monthly) other commodities and services priced quarterly. March 1952 and June 1950? formerly priced March, June, September, December. February 1952 and May 1950: formerly priced February, May, August, November. TABLE 3. City U.S. AVERAGE Chicago Detroit Los Angeles New York Philadelphia CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MARCH 1953 TO APRIL 1953 U.S. Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups All Items Food Housing Apparel Medical Care Personal Care Reading & Recreation Other Goods & Services 0.1 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0 0.5 0.2 - 0.4 0.1 0 0.2 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.7 - 1.0 - 0.1 0.1 2.4 0 1.2 0 0.1 0 0.3 - 0.1 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0 0.2 0.2 0.8 0 0.4 0.3 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.4 - 0.6 - 0.5 0.8 0.5 - 0.4 See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables. Transportation - 0.2 0.1 0.2 TABLE 4. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS April 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, January 1953 to April 1953 U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in April Total Food Total 2/ City All Items Housing Solid Fuels Gas & Elec& triFuel city Oil 3/ Rent Housefurni shines Household Operation TransApparel portation 5 Medical Care Personal Care ReadOther ing & Goods & Recre- Services ation y 5/ April 1953 Indexes (1947-49 , 100) U.S. AVERAGE 113.7 Boston Chicago Detroit Kansas City Los Angeles Minneapolis Nev York Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Ore. 117.0 108. k 110.2 114.0 Ilk. 3109.3 112.8 115.6 112.0 115.1 109.8 111.1 112.9 113.7 111.8 112.8 115.4 112.9 111.5 115.6 119.4 118.6 117.0 123.5 116.8 113.6 112.6 114.3 119.6 111.7 111*. 2 115.2 122.1 127.3 124.8 116.1 106.5 123.6 107.8 114.3 104.6 129.4 120.2 112.5 107.9 117.9 105.4 100.0 109.7 104.4 109.5 110.0 108.1 101.8 113.5 118.6 124.7 122.0 117.4 112.6 107.7 107.7 110.4 107.6 111.4 107.4 109.0 110.1 105.8 110.9 107.6 117.6 106.3 120.3 107.5 116.8 118.6 111.3 117.5 111.2 103.8 106.5 103.0 105.1 103.5 105.4 104.8 104.0 104.1 104.0 135.6 133.8 125.7 130.0 127.2 121.8 127.3 133.1 139.0 127.6 123.4 119.6 116.8 119.3 119.7 136.4 120.7 120.1 121.1 118.0 111.8 114.5 119.4 114.7 117.9 117.0 106.1 116.3 106.1 111.7 106.2 109.1 111.0 110.0 104.5 116.7 107.1 112.5 97.2 115.3 116.2 112.1 122.8 119.3 114.1 122.9 118.4 121.8 118.8 117.5 0.1 0.1 1.7 1.3 0.2 0.3 - 0.2 0 - 0.3 0.2 0 0.6 - 0.1 - 0.2 0.3 0 0.5 - 0.4 2.6 - 0.3 1.7 - 1.2 - 0.7 1.0 1.4 1.7 3.3 2.1 1.4 1.5 1.1 1.5 2.7 115.1 130.2 125.4 120.6 123.2 Percent Change — U.S. AVERAGE - 0.2 Boston Chicago Detroit Kansas City Los Angeles Minneapolis New York Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Ore. - 0.4 0 - 0.4 0 0.2 0.6 - 0.5 - 0.5 0.2 0.7 - l.k - 2.6 - 0.9 1.6 0.8 1.1 1.7 2.3 2.3 1.1 0.3 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.3 0 0.5 1.1 0.8 0.9 - 0.1 0.5 1.3 6/ 8.0 1/ 3.2 6/ 1.5 January 1953 to April 1953 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.8 - 0.1 0 - 0.1 1.8 0 0 0 - 0.5 1.2 0.7 0.5 1.3 0.6 1.6 0.2 0 - 0.4 1.6 0 0.1 - 1.3 1.8 0.9 M 1.5 0.2 1.0 0.4 o.l 3.5 0.1 0 - 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0.2 10.4 0.1 0 1.0 0.5 0.3 - 0.9 - 1.1 0.1 - 0.9 0.1 0.1 - 0.3 1.0 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.5 1.1 0.9 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 0.3 1.0 0.1 0.1 2.1 0.1 0.2 1.0 9.0 - 0.5 0.5 3.7 0.4 1/ through see footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables. Z/ Change from October 1952 to April 1953. TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS April 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, March 1953 to April 1953 U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities (1947-49 « 100) City U.S. AVERAGE Atlanta Baltimore Boston Chicago Cincinnati Meats, Poultry Cereals & Total 0/ & Fish Food at Home Total Food Bakery Products Percent Percent Percent Percent Index Change Index Change Index Change Index Change 111.5 111.7 112.3 108.4 110.2 U3.1 - 0.2 - 0.5 0.5 - 1.1 0.5 0.4 111.1 111.3 111.9 107.5 109.7 112.7 - 0.2 - 0.6 0.6 - 1.5 0.4 0.4 118.0 115.4 116.7 116.8 114.4 117.7 0.3 0.1 0.2 - 0.1 1.2 0.2 106.8 111.8 109.0 101.5 102.2 109.3 - 0.6 Fruits & Vegetables Percent Index Change Other Foods at Home Percent Index Change 109.0 - 1.2 115.0 - 0.4 110.4 1.2 0.6 1.8 0.3 0.3 114.4 112.5 106.9 108.7 109.3 - 0.4 0 2.0 0.4 0.6 114.3 115.1 108.5 113.7 114.9 - 2.7 0.7 - 4.7 - 0.6 0.6 103.6 108.5 106.2 117.2 115.6 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.0 - 2.9 0.8 0.4 - 0.4 - 2.9 108.1 125.2 119.3 110.7 112.6 - 1.5 0.9 0.6 - 0.9 - 0.4 111.5 112.1 110.4 107.6 111.5 0.7 1.4 0.7 0.9 0.4 - _ 0.9 - Dairy Products Percent Index Change - Cleveland Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles 108.5 114.0 111.9 109.3 112.8 - 0.3 0.2 0 - 0.2 - 0.4 108.0 113.8 111.4 108.5 112.1 0.4 0.4 0 - 0.4 - 0.6 114.8 115.7 114.7 117.1 117.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 104.2 105.9 104.5 103.8 109.8 0.3 0 - 0.9 - 1.4 - 0.5 102.8 110.3 113.0 106.5 109.6 Minneapolis New York Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Ore. 112.0 109.8 112.9 111.8 112.9 - 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4 0,4 112.1 109.4 112.4 111.5 112.9 - 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.4 119.4 122.3 118.5 119.1 114.0 0.2 0.6 0.4 - 0.3 0.3 103.3 105.8 107.8 102.8 113.1 0 1.0 1.0 - 0.7 - 0.4 108.8 104.8 109.9 110.4 110.1 0.4 0.3 - 3.7 - 2.3 - 0.3 121.0 109.4 116.6 113.9 114.4 - 0.7 2.5 0.8 0.8 0.3 116.6 110.6 110.9 118.0 112.7 0.4 1.2 1.8 1.5 1.8 St. Louis San Francisco Scranton Seattle Washington,D.C. 111.6 113.7 110.9 111.7 110.2 - 0.7 1.0 - 0.4 0 0.2 111.0 113.5 110.6 111.4 109.8 - 0.9 1.2 - 0.4 0 0.3 112.8 123.3 116.1 118.7 114.2 - 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.1 1.9 108.1 108.7 106.8 105.4 104.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 - 0.7 0.3 100.8 110.3 107.9 109.5 113.4 - 116.4 122.1 112.2 119.4 110.5 - 1.8 5.4 - 1.1 - 0.9 - 1.8 117.0 109.0 110.4 109.1 108.3 1.5 1.8 1.3 1.9 0.9 See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables. - - - - - 6.0 1.4 2.9 0.3 0.3 6 GENERAL EXPLANATION The Consumer Price Index (revised January 1953) measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. The goods and services included in the index "market basket" are those required to maintain the level of living characteristic of such families in 1952, The quantities and qualities of the items in the "market basket" remain the same between consecutive pricing periods, so that the index measures the effect of price change only on the cost of living of these families. The indexes are presented on a base of 19li7-U9-100. The index numbers thus show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19U7-U9 average. (For convenience of users, these indexes are also shown on the base 1935-39=100, Note that they are calculated using the new samples, items and weights). The city indexes do not indicate whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Comparisons of city indexes show only whether prices have risen more or less in one city than another since the base period. The Bureau has been coirpiling the Consumer Price Index for nearly 1 0 years. At * four different times it has been necessary to bring the "market basket" of goods and services up to date and to modernize the samples and methods of calculation. The indexes in this report are revised as of January 1953. The "market basket" is based on extensive surveys of postwar expenditure patterns of city families, and reflects changes that have occurred since prewar in the amounts, kinds and qualities of things people buy, as well as new things that were not part of our pattern of living a few years ago. About 300 items are priced to estimate the average change in prices of all items in the "market basket." Among these items are all the important goods and services that wage and clerical workers buy. Prices are collected at regular intervals, and the successive prices are compared to determine price changes. The items priced are described by detailed specifications to insure that as far as possible, the same quality is priced each time, and that differences in reported prices are measures of price change only. Prices are obtained in a sample of U6 cities representative of all cities in the U.S., including the 12 largest urban areas with populations over 1 million, 9 other large cities, 9 medium-sized cities, and 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by stores of various kinds and by service establishments and individuals (such as physicians and dentists) from whom wage and clerical workers buy goods and services. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced monthly in all cities. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained on a regular rotating pricing cycle— monthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 25 large and medium-sized cities, and every k months in the 16 smallest cities. In any given month, goods and services other than foods, fuels and rents are priced in 17 or 18 cities out of the U6. Price collection extends over 3 or i weeks, centered on the 15th of the month. Prices for a few items ; (e.g., auto insurance, railroad fares) are computed from published sources. Food. Food prices are collected monthly from chain and representative independent food stores in all U6 cities, during the first 3 days of the week which includes the l5th of the month. Prices for restaurant meals are based on menus collected on the regular pricing cycle for each city as described above. Rent. Rents are obtained each month by mail from tenants of representative samples of dwellings in each of the U6 cities, and once every 2 years by personal visit, when local samples of dwellings are also reviewed. The rent index measures changes in rent from one period to another for the same rented dwellings, with the same facilities, furnishings and services. Other Shelter. Materials and services for house maintenance and repair are priced on the regular city pricing cycle. Prices of houses,- fire insurance rates, mortgage interest and taxes, which change only occasionally, are obtained annually or biennially, and changes estimated between pricing dates. Sales prices of houses are obtained fl*om records of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. 7 Fuels, including Gas and Electricity. Prices prevailing on the 15th of the month are collected monthly by mail from fuel dealers and utility companies in U6 cities. All Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and Rents. Prices are collected in person, on the city cycle described above, from sairples of representative department stores, apparel and shoe stores, housefurnishings and appliance dealers, barber shops, beauty shops, doctors, hospitals, moving picture theaters, etc. Prices for such items as newspapers, street car and bus fares, and telephone service are collected by mail. Prices of used cars are obtained from car dealers through a trade association. Price changes for all items in each city are combined in accordance with their importance in the "market basket" for that city to obtain an average price change for that city. Price changes for the 1 6 cities are combined for the U.S. with the use of 1950 pop* ulation data. Each city is given an importance or weight proportionate to the wage-earner and clerical-worker population it represents in the index. The 12 largest cities, each weighted by its own population, when combined have about two-fifths of the total weight in the national index. Each of the 3 other city-size groups has about one-fifth of the total weight; i.e., the 9 other large cities, the 9 medium-sized cities, and the 16 small cities. City indexes are conpiled for the 20 largest of the U6 cities priced for the national average. The remaining 26 cities in which prices are collected are: Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, W. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N. Dakota Grand Island. Nebraska Huntington, W. Virginia Laconia, New Hampshire Lodi, California Lynchburg, Virginia Madill, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Newark. Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio The present index, as described above, has been linked (spliced) to the "interim adjusted" Consumer Price Index for 3k cities, issued through December 1952, to form a continuous series back to 1913 • 1/ For detailed descriptions of the Consumer Price Index, its uses and limitations, see the following: "The Consumer Price Index," A Short Description of the Index as Revised, 1953. "The Revised Consumers1 Price Index—A Summary of Changes in the Index and Suggestions for Transition from the "Interim Adjusted1 and 'Old Series1 Indexes to the Revised Index." Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 1039: "Interim Adjustment of the Consumers1 Price Index." January 1951 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices." December 1952 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Monthly Labor Review articles: The Revised Consumer Price Index Adjusted Consumers' Price Index: Interim Adjustment of Consumers' Selection of Cities for Consumer Revision of the Consumers' Price (February 1953)• Relative Importance of Items (June 1951). Price Index (April 1951). Expenditure Survey-1950 (April 1951). Index (July 1950). 1/ See December 1952 report, "Consumers' Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Tables of rebased "interim adjusted" indexes for the U. S. and for 20 cities are available upon request. Issued m y 27* 1953 IJ.S-. DEPAHTKSHT" OF IAB0R Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s EXECUTIVE 3-2420 Kcffatt - E x t , 5?2 "OLD SrHIFS® SOfSLWPS1 PHICE IKDHt* AFP.IL 1953 ;,l01d.Series1* Consumers1 Pricfc' Indexes*are being compiled, J :.for the months Jarruary^Tune 1 9 5 3 > at'the direction of the * : President and the Secretary of Lator*'"to- facilitate t i * o r d e r l y t r a n s i t i o n t o u s e of the Revised Inclear-in wage scalator c i ^ s - e s u n d c ? c o l l e c t i v e a g r e e m e n t s * T h e Bureau % ? t o f L4hor S t a t i s t i c s : h a s n o authorization o r "appropriation" 5 tto continue t h e **Gj.d *Seriesn beyond " f s June Index (Issued: tc :at the end of July). The Revised Index only will be : rissued thereafter* on the 1935-39 - 100 bare as well as on* :the official' 1947-49 - 100 fc&se period, i i i tfor a, d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e Revised Index* see fl?h* Consumer i :Price, Index - A S h o r t D e s c r i p t i o n o f the Index as Revised*) F o r discission o f the arithmetic problems of : $transition from the h01d Series* to the Revised for vage : 5contract purposes, see "The Revised Com wsrs* Price t : Index - A Sxwary of Claries In the Index and Suggestion*^: ifor Transition from tru? *interim Adjusted1 and 8 oid Series? sIndexes to the Revised Index. n t :195?.;f The *Gld Series*1 Consumersf Price Index for April 1953 vac (1935-39 ~ 1 0 0 ) , a decline of 0 , 3 percent from Farch* the S, Department of Labors Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s announced today* Over th~ quarter* January to April* the index f e l l 1*1 percent, The decrease over both the month and the quarte? r e f l e c t s the continued decline in food p r i c e s . SERIES O L D OCmimBS* P ' U . S • : < I C E X N & V f £ r & ? * > F X 7 a n d F O 1 9 A p r i l 1 5 , j J/teres B o s t o n , 100) s : s F u e l , : •R e f r i g e r a t i o n : F o o d : A p p a r c l : ,-„, 5 R e n t T o t a l r 8 1 1 3 9 . 0 1 4 0 . 5 7 9 . 3 1 9 5 , 0 1 7 5 , 3 ; 1 7 3 . 3 1 1 8 . 5 1 9 5 . 8 1 7 0 . 8 1 2 1 7 . 1 2 0 0 . 2 ! 1 1 1 0 . 0 2 1 4 . 9 1 8 3 . 1 2 2 3 . ? 2 0 6 . 4 i 1 / 2 . 5 8 3 . 5 1 9 2 . 1 1 8 0 . 3 2 0 4 . 0 j 1 6 2 . 4 1 9 5 , 0 1 8 1 . 3 2 0 5 . 8 • 1 5 ? 1 7 4 . 4 1 9 « , 9 • 1 5 6 . 2 D e t r o i t , M i c h * 1 9 6 . 0 225.1 223,/* 221.5 H o u s t o n , T e s c o s 1 9 ? . 6 2 3 3 . 5 1 9 2 . 5 2 2 2 . 5 1 9 5 . , 1 3 1 . 8 2 0 6 . 1 1 9 0 . 2 2 7 , 6 1 3 3 2 1 4 . 8 C o l o * 1 9 9 . 1 I n d i a n a p o l i s , I n d * r i o . C a l i f * N . H . P a . ! 2 1 3 . 9 ! 2 0 6 . 0 2 1 8 . 4 . 1 2 0 5 . 1 2 1 8 . 6 j 1 9 6 . 3 ! 2 2 5 . 6 S 2 2 7 . 9 2 4 1 . 7 V a * 1 8 1 , 5 1 9 7 . 7 2 3 2 . i 1 9 ? . 4 . 8 | - 2 0 5 . 9 1 0 9 . 7 2 2 3 , 6 1 0 5 . 9 c 1 7 6 . 2 1 7 1 , 2 1 8 5 . 1 5 1 9 7 , 1 1 7 7 . 6 1 5 9 . 4 ; 2 2 1 2 , 5 1 1 / , . . 0 2 0 7 , 1 1 7 4 , 9 1 / 7 . 1 I 1 0 4 . 1 5 9 . 6 1 3 5 . 1 1 7 8 , 8 1 0 8 , 8 2 0 6 , 3 1 8 3 . 1 1 1 0 3 . 2 2 1 4 . 5 l c 4 . 2 1 7 0 . 1 ! 1 2 6 , 8 2 1 2 . 2 1 8 0 , 9 9 , 2 1 , 0 f r o m C h a n g e - 3.3 1 . 1 1 9 9 6 4 . 9 i < 1 8 3 . 6 i 1 5 3 . 1 1 . 0 - 2 . 7 5 . 1 - 1 . 0 - 2 . 7 0 . 1 - 0 . 7 - 2 , 3 1.3 M i c h * - 0 , 9 - 2 . 9 0 . 4 H o u s t o n , T e - x a s - 0 . 7 - 3 . 2 0 M o * - 0 . 3 " 2 . 9 C a l i f * - 0 . 3 - 2 . a i - 9 . 5 - ? o 1 - 0 , 2 U 1 . 7 - 2 . 6 j j 0 . 8 0 . 5 0 . 1 0 . 4 - 4 . 0 0 ' ! - 0 . 1 0 . 7 0 0 . 1 0 . 4 4 . 7 0 . 2 0 . 4 o 1 . 8 ! 2 / 0 . 0 - 0 0 0 , j 0 . 1 - 0 . 1 1 , 5 0 , 4 0 . 5 I 0 0 j 0 . 9 1 . 1 1 . 7 1 , 0 ! 0 0 0 , 4 1 . 7 ! 2 . 0 1 . 8 1 . 5 1 , 8 ! - 1 , 3 0 0 . 4 0 , 6 j - i 0 , 2 1 - ! o . e » xJSSl ! 0 . 2 1 1 1 * 1 5 | 0 ! - J a n u a r y 0 . 6 0 , 3 1 . 9 C i t y , 1 0 0 . 6 1 3 9 . 5 D e t r o i t , K a n s a s 7 2 . 5 ! 1 5 5 . 2 - O h i o I j - C h i c a g o , 1 8 7 . 0 1 9 0 . 6 : M a s s * C i n c i n n a t i , 1 9 7 . 7 ; 2 0 5 . a P e r c e n t A l a * 8 0 , 9 . 1 2 0 2 . 4 2 1 1 , 7 G a * R i r m i n g f e & m , 1 8 0 , 9 - 1 5 3 . 7 ! S a v a n n a h , B o s t o n , 1 9 8 . 5 1 7 4 . 3 1 3 4 . 0 1 9 8 . 9 H A G ! 1 9 7 . 3 9 1 . 5 1 3 8 . 3 1I R i c h m o n d , A V P 2 1 6 , 9 . 7 1i 1 8 8 , 7 1 8 7 . 4 O r e g * 2 3 4 . 1 9 3 . 5 1 - 5 . 1 1 9 3 . 3 1 9 1 . 1 P a * 6 9 . 6 1 6 4 1 4 3 . 4 2 0 5 . 9 1 . 7 S 1 0 7 . 0 1 9 3 . 9 ! 1 0 9 . 1 2 0 . 5 , 0 1 4 8 , 9 l : P h i l a d e l p h i a , U . S . 3 1 8 8 . 0 N . Y . P o r t l a n d , 8 &?.6 1 0 6 . 2 1 8 4 . 7 M i n n * P i t t s b u r g h , 1 7 9 . 2 ! 1 9 0 , 2 Y o r k , 2 0 6 , 5 1 8 6 . 7 O h i o N e w 1 0 0 . 6 1 5 3 . 9 ' 2 1 1 . 5 1 9 2 . 9 M i n n e a p o l i s , i 2 1 7 . 8 1 8 7 . 3 M a n c h e s t e r , i n ? ? J 201 <2 # A n g e l e s , t M i s c e i - s f u r n i s h - * l a n e o u s | I l l L o s & ? ? , l g _ C . 2 0 1 . : H o u s e - | C h i c a g o , C i t y , : G a s f J 1 7 7 . 4 N . I . K a n s a s & 1 9 5 . 3 A l a * B u f f a l o , D e n v e r , F l e e . .... 2 2 1 . 1 ! M a s s * - C i n c i n n a t i , j / 1 9 5 3 = i A T T R A C T B i r m i n g h a m , F A M I L I E S G r o u p s : A l l 2 U . S . b y : 5 City m m m r ^ m o i x - > C i t i e s (1935-39 : t 0 . 4 0 0 , 7 - 0 . 2 0 . 8 \ L o s A n g e l e s , M i n n e a p o l i s , N e w M i n n * Y o r k , ft.Y* P h i l a d e l p h i a , P i t t s b u r g h , P o r t l a n d , P a * } ? a i - — 1 . 5 0 . 8 t O r e p . ! ^ < s*n ! - 0 . 7 0 2 . 6 I - 0 . 1 - 0 , 5 P e r c e n t B u f f a l o , K . Y , D e n v e r , - C c l o . I n d i a n a p o l i s , M a n c h e s t e r , I r d . N . H . R i c h m o n d , j O a . 1 / F o r 2 / C h a n g e o f - 3 . 4 1 - t h e f r o m o n t h e - 1 , 6 r e C o n s u m e r O c t o b e r 6 . 7 r : r i c e l ? ^ ? , i ! 2 / 3 . 3 0 . 2 i f r o m 1 . 3 ! j 0 - 1 . 4 I 1 . 0 0 O c t o b e r 3 . 3 - 0 , 1 0 . 7 i 1 . 9 1 . 6 1 2 5 ? . 0 5 . 4 I 2 , 0 1 . 2 4 0 . 6 9 . 8 i 0 . 8 0 0 . 1 . 7 0 . 3 1 . 3 | 1 , 2 0 0 . 5 1 , 0 IS- ! 2 , 0 1 . 7 1 . 5 4 . 1 ; 2 . 5 4 . 5 9 . 6 - 5 . 2 1 . 2 0 . 1 4 * 8 i n s t i t u t i o n 1 s ? > 4 . 4 - 1 * 4 d e t a i l s U s e r s - 1 . 2 jj - V a . L a v a n n & h , 1 . 7 0 . 2 C h a n g e : t j ~ o f I n d e x , 1 . 0 4 0 . 5 t h e " O l d F e b r u a r y . 4 1 . 3 C e r i e s " 3 , 1 9 5 3 s e e - 1 . 9 1 . 1 - l " i n d e x e s w 1 . 5 1 . 1 2 , 0 w M e i r K ) r a n d u m * t a r o p - o r t o