Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1955

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Issued May 20, 1955
U.S. DEPARTLENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER RRICE INDEX FOR APRIL 1955
The Consumer Price Index declined 0.1 percent between March and
April to a level of 111* .2 percent of the 19U7-U9 average, the U.S. Department of Laborfs
Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today. It was the first change in the index since
December 195U*
A substantial reduction of. 1.6 percent in transportation costs,
along with slightly lower costs for housing and apparel, was chiefly responsible for the
slight decline* In contrast, average food prices rose O.h percent and medical care and
personal care costs, 0.2 percent®
FOOD

Food prices rose to about the level of last November* but were
1.1 percent lower than a year ago. Of the U6 cities surveyed for
the April index, total food costs increased in 32, decreased in 11, and showed no change
in 3# The major changes from March 1955 consisted of substantially higher prices for
potatoes, poultry, pork chops, and apples, and sizeable decreases in costs of eggs,
milk, and coffee. In comparison with April 1951i> food purchased for home consumption
was down 1.5 percent, while costs of restaurant meals increased*
Although most fr<esh fruits and vegetables usually become more
expensive at this time of year, the i;.9 percent increase in the fruits and vegetables
index over last month also reflects the extensive crop damage in the South and Southeast
caused by freezing weather in late March. The greatest Impact was on potato prices,
which were about 30 percent higher than in March and nearly 60 percent higher than in
April 195U* Other fresh fruits and vegetables showing substantial price increases were
cabbage (20.5 percent), onions (ll;*9 percent), apples (7*0 percent), green beans (7.0
percent), and oranges (3*5 percent). Lower prices were recorded for tomatoes (5*6 percent), celery (3#9 percent), and carrots (2*3 percent). Fresh strawberries were back
in season in many cities at prices higher than at the end of last season* Costs of
frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables also increased fractionally©
Poultry prices rose at a reduced rate but reached their highest
point since January 1953* Price changes for meats other than poultry were small.
Nearly all dairy products were lower in price. Egg prices moved down In all b n one of
the 1*6 cities. At an average of 5k• 9 cents a dozen, the price was £.8 percent lower
than in March. Coffee prices were down almost 2 percent from March, to a level alnost
20 percent lower than a year ago.
HOUSING

The housing index decreased 0.1 percent between March and April.
Lower prices for coal and housefurnishings, together with a small
average decline in residential rents, exceeded the rise in costs of household operation•
The current decrease in the rent index is the first since 19^2 .
Increases in dry cleaning charges
most of the rise in household operation costs.




and laundry soap prices caused

CTREE COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The decline in the transportation index resulted primarily from
further price decreases for new and used cars* Widespread and
somewhat larger concessions offered by new car dealers have produced
a price decline on the 1955 model automobiles* Gasoline and tire prices rose slightly®

Average apparel prices fell slightly over the month* Post-Easter
sales and new lower price lines for many articles of apparel accounted for the decline.
Sale prices were reported in many cities for women1 s coats and suits, nylon slips, and
for men's cotton sport shirts* Some increases were noted in prices for women's cotton
dresses*
Costs of medical care were slightly higher (0.2 percent) over the
month, as physicians' fees and prescription prices were raised in a number of cities and
group hospitalization premiums increased in one* Personal care costs also rose 0*2 percent*




3

TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. C O T AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates
April

?4arch

1955

1955

February

April

1955

1954

June
1950

Group
This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PretfQrld War II

INDEXES (1947-49 =100)

FOOD 1/ . . . . . .

.

Food at home . . . . . . . . ..
Cereals and bakery products . .
Meats, poultry and fish . . . .
Dairy products

114.2

114.3

114.3

111.6

101.3

59*4

111.2

110.8.

110.8

112. 4

100.5

47.1

111.8

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48.4

110.1

109.7

109.6

123.9

123.9

123.8

121.1

103.0

102.5
106.1

104.6

109.ii

102.3
105. 4
112.0
111.9

110.7
112.1

113.6

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

119.5

119.6

119.6

118.5

104.9

76.1

129.9

130.0
110.3
126.2
104.6

129.7

128.2

109.9
126.2

107.6

104.8

123.9
106.1

117.9

117.7

116.9

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

103.I

103.2

103. 4

104.1

96.5

52.5

105.5

105.6

105.6

107.1

97.1

97. 4

97.7
116.6

98. 4
116.1

90.6

90.4

98.1
93.3
102.1
88.4

104.6
117.5

Rent

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

110.3

Solid fuels and fuel oil

. . . .

125.7
loU.5
118.1

APPAREL

Footwear

•

• • • • • • • • • « •

116.9

116.7

90.2
TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
H2RS0NAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
......
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES
. . . .

90.1;

110.5

110.0

125.3

127.3

129.1

127.0

127.4

L27.3

126.8

113.7
1 0 6.6

113.5

124.9

113.5

112.9

106.6

119.8

106.5
120.2

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

April

June

1954

1950

119.8

106. 4

119.8

y

it
it
68.9
72.6
59.6

63.0
70.6

PERCENT CHANGE TO APRIL 1955 FROMi
March

February

1955

1955

-

-

0.1
0.4

HOUSING 2/

0.4

2.4

-

0.1

0.1

3.7

2.9
13.3
14.6
16.3

153.8
126.0

13.9

57.0

0.2

1.3

19.5

50.0

2.5

7.4

o.U
-

0J4

- 0.3

1.5
-

0.3
-

0.3
0.1

-

0.1

-

0.3

- 0.6
-

1.6

-

- 1.0
-

7.3

5.1
122.9
95.7

18.6

72.7

6.8

96.4

1.5

7.5

V

4.1

0.4

- 1.3
0.7
- 0.2

14.5
2.0

t!
V
it

1.6

-

0.3

0.2

1.5

1.0

16.8

14.0

0.2

0.4

81.9

0.2

1.9

20.8

0.2

14.6

75.3

0

0.2

0.7
0.1

0

0

-

2.9

0.3

4.0
15.5

1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately.
J/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees,
burial services, etc.).
4/ Not available.




147.6
110.0

0.8

0.1
0.4

6.8

-

- 0.1

0.2

READING AND RECREATION

116.6

0

6.1

-

-

133.8

20.6

1.5
2.3
6.8

0.2

MEDICAL CARE

136.1

9.6

-

0.1

0

-

10.6

-

- 0.1

-

92.3

o.5

-

-

12.2

1.1

o.5
1.4

4. 9
2.2

-

0.3

0.7

-

-

-

0.4
0

- 0.8
-

0.1

Year
1939

90.8
69.2
69.7

*

TABUS 2.

CONSUMER HtlCE INDEX ~ ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. CITT AVERAGE AND 20 IARGE CITIES

( 1 9 ^ 7 - ^ 9

-

1 0 0

(1935-39 = 100)

)

City
April
1955

March
1955

April
195U

June
1950

Year
1939

April
1955
y

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

11U.2

11U.3

11U.6

101.8

59. *

190.9

116.9
116.2
11U.5
112.3
115.8

117.0
116.3
115.1
112. U
115.8

116.5
116.7
115.7
112.5
115.1

102*8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.*
60.1
59.2

199.1
196.1
191.3
185.9
192.7

April
10«

January

April
1951*

April
1950

113. h
115.2
117.0
113.8
llii .2

113.0
115.3
116.5
113.8
11U.6

112.9
115.5
116.3
lib.5
11U.8

101.2
101. h
3/ 102.1
~
99.9
101.5

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:

CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL,
JULY, OCTOBER 2/

Portland, Orep. . . . •
CITIES PRICED HI MARCH, JUNE,
SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/

March

December

115.7
11U.8
113.3
115. U
115.7

115.3
111.9
113.1*
115.6
115.6
February
1955

CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY,
AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/

11U.9
115.7
111.7
116.3
113.2

Washington, D . C

1/
2/
3/
5/

November
1951

March
195U
117.0
11U.8
llii.2
116.9
116.5
February
195U
115.2
116.9
113.2
116.2
1124.1

115.3
116.7
112.3
115.7
113.5

April
1955
61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

182.6
185.5
193.8
193.5
197.8

June
1950
h/ 101.3
~ 101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

March
1955
195.5
197.5
191.0
192.9
197.6

58.3
57.9
58.1*
59.3
58.6

May
1950
100.lt
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

February
1955
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.U

195.8
195.9
185.6
196.8
185.9

These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 — 100.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
June 1950j formerly priced March, June, September, December.
May 19505 formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3 .

All
Items

City

U . S . CITY AVERAGE . . . . ,

Philadelphia




CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MARCH 1955 TO APRIL 1955
U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

•

•

Food

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

-

0.1

O.li

- 0.1

- 0.1

-

1.6

0.2

0.2

-

0.1
0.1
0.5
0.1
0

0.6
0.3
0.9
0.5
0.1

- 0.1
- 0.3
0
- 0.9
0

- 0.8
- 0.6
0
- 0.7
- 0.1

-

2.6
0.I4
U.2
0.5
0.1

o.b
0.1
- 1.1
0.3
- 0.2

0
- 0.2
- n.l
0.1
n.l

Reading
and
Recreation
0
0
0.8
0.1
0.3
0

Other
Goods &
Services
0
0
0
- 0.?
0
0

5

TABI2 b. CONSUMER FRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AMD COMMODITY GROUPS
April 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, January 1955 to April 1955
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in April 1955

U.S.
Boston Jhicago Detroit Kansas
Los
MinneCOT
City Angeles apolis
AVERAGE

Group

April
ALL ITEMS
FOOD

Indexes

- 100)

(19U7-U9

llU.2

113. U

116.9

116.2

115.2

11U.5

117.0

112.3

115.8

113.8

Ill* . 2

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

111.2

109.0

109.0

113.3

107.0

113.0

111.5

111.6

113.1*

111.5

110.0

• •
• •
• •
• •
••
• •

110.1

107.5

107.6

111.9

105.5

110.7

110.8

110.7

112.3

110.7

109.6

123.9

119.1

118.9

120.2

120.8

127.$^

126.1

128.2

121.0

12l*.5

12U.3

97.2

100.7

98.7

102.1

98.7

106.6

107.0

99.3

102.1

10U.5

102.9

102.9

10U.1

106.3

106.9

103.5

109.1*

. • • . . * . « • » • . . • . • •

119.5

103.0

100.6

loU.6

105.3

105.5

102.1

117.5

112.0

llU.l

108.0

121.6

123.1

111.1*

119.9

115.6

117.5

105.1

131.6

11U.7

110.6

103.1

108.1

117.2

111.5

110.8

118.1*

109.3

120.U

128.2

121.9

121.3

122.8

122.8

115.3

111*. 9

116.2

118.3

1U0.1

138.3

110.5

108.7

118.0

126.2

119.9

113.2

129.9

Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
HouBefumishings
Household operation

110.3

. .

111.7

12U.0
118.8

109.0

102.3

120.5

107.8

117.2

130.2

118.8

128.9

107.0

126.9

102. U

105.1

105.6

105.2

106.3

12U.8

108.3

120.2

119.1

111* . 3

120.0

112.3

125.7

128.1

ioU.5

105.5

106.1

107.6

117.2

102.3

121.1

112.1

113.6

...

118.1

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

103.1

102.6

10U.0

101.9

102.3

103.u

103.5

101.1*

ioU.5

102.7

106.0

Men's and boys'
Women'8 and girls'
Footwear
. . » . • . . . « • . » « • •
Other apparel

105.5

103.5

109.6

106.5

105.9

107.6

107.5

9U.6

9U.7

96.3

96.5

96.1

98.9

112.5

120.8

113.0

97.6

10U.I
102.5

109.3

97.5

105.6
93.9

10l*.9

97.1

llU.2

118.0

112.8

115.9

111.5

115.7

119.9

103.6

92.5

87.1

86.8

82.3

98.2

91*.6

APPAREL

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION .
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

.

. . . . . . . .

116.9
90.2

13U.0 129.6
12U.5 1 2 8 . 0
113.7 111.6 115.3
106.6 107.1 113.1
119.8 118.1 118.1

120.8

123.5 122.3 117.5

127.3

132.U
119.5
108.8
12U.7

136.2

121.1*

116.2

117.3
97.3
11U.3

- 0.1
FOOD

•

• • • • • • • • • • • •

•

•

•

•

Food at home .
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish . .
Dairy products
Other foods at home . . . .

Solid fuels and fuel oil

•

o.5

#

0.6
0.6
- 1.7
6.2

•

•

•

•

•

Household operation . . . . .

•

•

•

APPAREL

•

•

•

•

- 0.2

•

0

- 0.5
0.2
- 0.3
TRANSPORTATION

#

m

- 1.8
0.6
0

READING AND RECREATION
....
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . . .

•

•

•

•

•

Change from October 195U to April 1955.




-

0.3

-

0.1

0.1

1.6

1.2

0.9

0.6

0.5

0.3

1.3

1.0

0.3

0.7

0.7
0.2

1.5

-

0.7

1.2

-

0.9

o.5

o.5

o.U

U.2

1.7

- 0.6
0.2
-

0.3

-

U.o

l*.i*
1.7

-

1.3

0.1

-

0.2

-

u.o

0

0

0

1.2

0

0.2

0.1*

0

1.7

- 0.1*

- 0.1
-

0.1*

0.6
- 0.1

0.1

-

0.3

0

- 0.6
- 0.3
0

1/
-

123.0

126.5
109.9
111*.6
118.5

3.1
0.5

- 0.2
1.2
0

0.9
o.U

3.6
5.2

-

1.5

-

1.2
0.2
0.3
0.7
8.0
1.0

-

-

2.1

0.5
L/
"

0.9
0.1
0

-

_

0

7.1
0.6

-

- 1.2

l.U

0.2

1.9

1.7

1.3

0.2

- 1.2

-

-

-

0.8

1.9
5.1

0.5
0.2
0.8
- 2.8

0.5

- 2.9

7.7

7.7

- 1.0

-

0.5

0.7
- 0.2
- 1.8
1.0
6.3
0

1.7

- 0.5

0.9

- 0.3

- 0.9

-

-

L/

0.1

0.6

0

~

O.U

0

l.U
0

0.7

1.3

0.9

0.7
0

-

0.8

0.8

- 0.9

- 0.3

-

0

0

o.5

0.6

0

-

0.7

-

o.U

-

0.3

-

1.1

-

1.7

-

0.7
1.7

1.6

-

-

0.7
0.9

- 0.6

O.U

- 0.2
- 0.7

0.2

-

-

1.6

-

0.1

-

o.U

-

0.9

l.l
- 0.6

-

0.7

-

0.7

-

o.U

-

-

3.2

3.U

-

1.1
0.3

-

-

0.5

- 0.3
1.1
0.3
- 0.8
- 0.2

0.6
0.1

2.0

-

8.3

-

-

0.1
1.2

o.5
-

0

0.9

-

0

0.3

0.3

•

0.3

0.7

- 0.1

.

0

- 0.1

1.7

-

o.U

0.2

6.7
1.2

0.3
0.8
- 0.3
- 0.1
0.3

. .

-

137.1 1 3 7 . 7
135.1 127.1*
117.8 1 1 6 . 5
98.6
112.1*
123.5 120.1*

0.8

- 0.1

1.0

129.1*
125.1*
108.1*
101*. 9
121.0

January 1955 to April 1955

0.1*

0.9
0

o.l*

11U.6
117.0

11*6.7
115.7
117.5
125.6

92.0

92.9

91.6

125.3

Percent Change —

l/

Phila- Pitts- Portland,
delphia burgh
Oreg.

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

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

1955

New
York

0.3

-

0

0.5

- 0.2

1.2

-

0.3

0.2
0

1.3
0.1

3.7

- 0.3
-

0.5

- 0.1

-

o.5
0

0

0.6

2.U
-

0

0.2
1.6
0.1

-

0.6
0.1

1.5

0.1

0.2

0.9

o.U
-

0.2
0.7

- 0.3
- 0.5
0

1.0

0

- 0.6
• 1.0
- 0.6
- 0.8
-

^.1

6

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
April 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, March 1955 to April 1955
U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(19^7-^9 » 1 0 0 )
Total
Food at Hone
Percent
Index
Change

Total Food
City
Index

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

•

Atlanta . . . . •
Baltimore . . . .

.
.

Chicago . . • .
Cincinnati
..
Cleveland • . .
Detroit • . . .
Houston . . . .
Kansas City . .
Los Angeles . .

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Minneapolis . . .
Hew York . . . .
Philadelphia . .
Pittsburgh
...
Portland, Ore. .
St. Louis . . . .
San Francisco • •
Scranton • . . .
Seattle • . . . •
Washington, D.C.

•

109 .U

- 2.2

1.6
- o.U
0.6
1.9
1.1
- 0.9
0.6
O.U
1.9
0.5

108.0
108.2
105.3
105.5
106. U
96.7
102.1
108.7
10U.5
102.9

- o.U
- 0.1
- 2.5
0
- 0.1
- 2.9
- 0.7
- 0.1
- 3.2
0

117.2
11U.6
112.0
11U.1
115.6
131.6
119.8
108.0
121.6

6.5
U.2
3.9
5.2
5.6
U.8
5.U
2.7
U.9
5.2

101.5
108.9
105.1
11U.7
115.3
113 .U
110.6
109.3
103.1
108.1

-

2.3
2.9
2.0
2.2
2.2
2.6
3.2
0.3
2.3
2.8

0.2
0
0
0.1
0.1
0
0.2
0
- 0.2
- 0.1

98.7
106.6
107.0
99.3
102.1
102.5
107.U
102.0
100.5
100.5

1.2
0.2
0.7
1.0

102.9
10U.1
106.3
106.9
103.5
90.3
10U.6
105.1
108.2
110.1

-

123.1
lll.U
119.9
115.6
117.5
125.9
121.8
115.2
12U.2
115.2

U.l
5.7
U.9
7.5
2.7
6.2
3.0
6.2
1.8
6.9

117.2
111.5
110.8
118 .U
109.3
118.3
108.U
1C8.2
108.2
110.0

-

3.9
1.6
1.8
2.1
0.1
2.1
1.8
2.6
2.1
1.9

0.8
- 0.2
- 0.1
0.9
0.8
- 0.6
0.3
0.5
0.3
0.5

0.2
0.5
0.1
0.5
0.3
0.6
o.U
0.3
- o.U

110.8
110.7
112.3
110.7
109.6
110.1
112.8
108.9
111.3
110.2

0.1
0.6
0.2
0.5
0.6
0.8
o.U
0.3
- 0.5
0.6

126.1
128.2
121.0
12U.5
12U.3
118.9
130.9
13.8.6
127.3
122.2

0.5

TABLE 6.

Food and Unit
CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS:
Flour, wheat
0 lb.
Biscuit mix
20 oz.
Corn meal
lb.
Rice
lb.
Rolled oats
20 oz.
Corn flakes
12 oz.
Bread, white
lb.
Soda crackers
lb.
Vanilla cookies
oz.
7
MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH:
lb.
Round steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb.
. Ii chops, center cut
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters
12 oz.
Luncheon meat, canned
lb.
Frying chickens, dressed
lb.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook
lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
Id oz.
Salmon, pink, canned
7 oz.
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream
lb.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
i* froz. can
FRUITS AND VEGETABIES:
Frozen
10 oz.
Strawberries
6 oz.
Orange Juice concentrate
10 oz.
Peas, green
10 oz.
Beans, green
Fresh
lb.
Apples
lb.
Bananas
Oranges, size 200
Lemons

U.9

107.0
103.3
100.6
97.2
103.9
98.8
100.7
101.2
98.7
102.1

109.1
110.1
107.5
107.6
111.6
106.8
111.9
110.0
105.£
110.7

.
.

doz.

lb.

0

123.9

0.5
1.2
1.1
1.1
- 1.2
0.U

-

0.2
0.1
2.7
2.6
0
1.3
0.3
2.U
0
0.8

111.0

RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR APRIL 1955 AND MARCH 1955
U.S. City Average

April

March

1955

1955

(Cents)

(Cents)

5U.1

5U.1

27 .U
12.6
17.8

27 .U
12.6
17.8

19.0
22.0

19.0
22.0

17.7
27.0

17.7
27.6

23.8

23.8

90.8

91.0

51.6
71.6

52.1

39.9
110.1
77.8
65.9
58.9
68.7
53.3
UU.3
50.3
61.7

71.5
39.7
110.5
7U.3
66.7
59.U
68.1
53.U
U5.U
U8.9
59.U

U2.9

U2.7

U7.3

U7*5

5U.9

5U.6

37.7

37.9

21.6

21.8

22.6
29.1
70.8

22.9
29.2
71.0

57.6

57.8

13.7

13.7

30.6

30.8

17.9
19.6

17.7

2U.2

19.5
2U.2

15.3
17.0

1U.3
17.0

U9.9

ue.2
18.1

18.3

Food and Unit
Fresh (continued)
Grapefruit *
each
Peaches *
lb.
Strawberries *
pt.
Grapes, seedless *
lb.
Watermelons *
lb.
Potatoes
10 lb.
Sweetpotatoes
lb.
Onions
lb.
Carrots
lb.
Lettuce
head
lb.
Celery
lb.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes
lb.
Beans, green
Canned
4 6 oz. can
Orange juice
Peaches
#2 J can
Pineapple
#2 can
Fruit cocktail
#303 can
Corn, cream style
#303 can
Peas, green
#303 can
Tomatoes
#303 can
Baby foods
4 4 - 5 oz.
Dried
lb.
Prunes
lb.
Navy beans
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
11 oz. can
Vegetable soup
16 oz. can
Beans with pork
7 h oz.
Pickles, sweet 1 /
14 *z.
Catsup, tomato
lb.
Coffee
* lb.
Tea
Cola drink
carton of 6, 6 oz.
lb.
Shortening, hydrogenated
lb.
Margarine, colored
lb.
Lard
pt.
Salad dressing
lb
Peanut butter
5 lb.
Sugar
24 oz.
Corn syrup
12 oz.
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
7/8 oz*
doz.
Eggs, Grade A, large
3-4 oz.
Gelatin, flavored

* Priced only in season
1/ Formerly published as sweet gherkins.
2/ Pricing shifted to #2 can in April5 comparable price for March, 32.8 cents.
3/ Pricing shifted to #303 can in April; comparable price for March, 26.5 cents.




Change

0
117.9
121.9 - 0.1
119.1
0
118.9 - 0.3
1.0
126. U
0.1
120.5
0.2
120.2
118.7 - 0.1
0.1
120.8
0.1
127.9

0.?
- 0.1
0
0.6
0.7
- 0.5
0.3
o.U
0.1
0.9

111.6
113 .U
111.5
110.0
112.5
113.5
109.0
111.9
111.5

Percent

117.5

iio.8
111.6
109.0
109.0
112.5
108.1
113.3

.. j111.5

Index

Other
Foods at Hone
Percent
Index
Change

- 0.8

o.U

107.0
113.0

Fruits Jb
Vegetables

10U.6

110.1

. i

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index
Change

0.7

O.U

111.1

Meats, Poultry
* Fish
Percent
Index
Change

103.0

111.2

•

.
.
.

Percent
Change

Cereals k
Bakery Products
Percent
Index
Change

April

March

1955

(Cents)
9.9

(Cents)
9.5

35.8

70.6

5U.5

1 5 .U

15.1
7.U
13.0

8.5
12.7
17.6
1U.9
9.U

17 .U
15.5
7.8

32.3
2U.U

3U.2
22.8

3 2 .6

32.7

33.5
2/32.8

33.U
39.0

3/26.5
17.0

U0.7
17.0

21.5
15.1
9.7

21.U
15.0

32.9
18.9

32.7
18.8

9.7

lU.l

1U.2

1U.9
28.2

1U.8

22.3

22.3
9U.2

92.5
Ul.l
32.6
35.0

28.2

U0.2
32.5
35.2

29.1
20.8

29.2

3 5 .U

35.5

5U.3
52.1

21.1

23.7

5 3 .U
52.2
23.7

25.9
U.6

25.9
U.6

5U.9

60.2

8.5

8.6

BRIEF EXPLANATION OP THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

7

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and
services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index
numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^9 38 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-^9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are
also calculated on the base 1935-39 • 100.
About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in
prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among
these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are
selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes
on all items. Prices are collected in k6 cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced every month in eacn
city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest
cities, every 3 months in l6 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every
k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. average:
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
Laconla, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
Iynchburg, Virginia
Madlll, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their
importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined
by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average.
Comparison of city indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences In price level between
cities.
A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their
weights, cities Included, and an explanation of the Index calculation, its uses and
limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 11^0 - "The Consumer
Price Index - A Layman's Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United
States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents.
A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C.
Historical series of ixldex numbers for the U.S. city average and 80 individual
large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items,
Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and
services from 19^7 to date.