Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1959

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Released Hay 22, 1959
U.S. DEPARThENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FCR APRIL 1959
Consumer prices In United States cities rose 0*2 percent between
March and April 1959, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Prices were higher for transportation, medical care, recreation, and personal care, due largely to advances in service rates * Commodity prices were unchanged
on the average, despite a slight decline in food prices* The Consumer Price Index, up
0.3 percent over the year, returned to the record high level of 123.9 (1947-49=100)
reached in July and November 1958.
TR^PffiTAyiON

A rise of 0.3 percent In transportation prices reflected increases
of 0.3 percent in both private and public transportation. RriLoes of
gasoline, tires, and auto insurance were higher. A decline of 0.7 percent in dealers1
selling prices of nev cars was offset by a greater than seasonal advance of 1.3 percent
in used car prices. Transit fares were up in one city.
FOCP

Average food prices dropped 0.1 percent in April, continuing
a 9-month decline which was interrupted only in January. Sharp
reductions in egg prices and seasonally lower prices of milk were almost offset by
seasonal advances in prices of fresh fruits and vegetables. The food index at 117.6 was
3.3 percent lower than a year ago and 3*4 peroent below the July 1958 peak.
Egg prices, decreasing for the seventh consecutive month, dropped
11.1 percent, much more than their usual seasonal decline. Dairy products decreased 0.8
percent as fresh milk prices were down seasonally.
Fruit and vegetable prices rose 2.4 percent over the month, with
prices of fresh fruits and vegetables up 3.7 percent. Fresh fruit prices advanced 5.3
percent as apples rose 7.5 percent and strawberries, priced for the first time this year,
were substantially higher than at the end of last season. Orange prices alfjo^rose
seasonally (1.6 percent), tut bananas dropped 3»5 percent. Fresh vegeta)xEe prices were
up 2.0 percent, in part due to unfavorable March weather in Florida andTexas, with green
beans up 10.4 percent, onions 7.6 percent, and potatoes 5*5 percent. However, with
ample supplies from California, lettuce, cabbage, and celery declined 7.1, 4*8, and 4*7
percent, respectively. Prices of canned fruits and vegetables rose 0 # 4 percent largely
because of higher prices for canned orange juice.
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased 0.2 percent over the
month. Heat prices rose 0.5 percent, mainly because of a 1.2 percent increase in prices
of pork products, reversing an 8-month downward trend. Pork chop prices advanced 2.9
percent, and bacon was up 1.4 percent. However, ham prices continued to drop (0.9 percent). Among other meats, rib roast, veal cutlet, round steak, and leg of lamb prices
all advanced. Chuck roast, hamtarger, canned luncheon meat, and frankfurter prices were
lower, ftrices of frying chickens declined 2.1 percent, due to plentiful supplies.
Coffee prices fell 1.3 percent, continuing their decline of more
than a year, but cola drinks increased 0.9 percent.




Prices of cereals &rd bakery products were unchanged on the average.
Restaurant meal prices rose 0.4 F^rcent.

2
HORSING

Housing costs were unchanged on the average as seasonal reductions
in prices of solid fuels and fuel oil offset higher rents and hone
repair and aaintenanoe costs* Prices of fuel oil dropped 1*4 percent, coal 0*9 percent,
and gas bills 0*4 percent* Rents continued their upward aoveaent, with a rise of 0*1
percent* An increase of 0.3 percent in home repair and aaintenanoe costs reflected
higher prices for both labor and aaterials* Housefurnishingg prices ware unchanged as
loner prices for household textiles offset increases in prices of durable housefurnishings, including rugs, bedding, and sow appliances* Household operation costs were up
0*1 peroentj higher laundry and dry cleaning service rates sore than offset lower prices
of laundry soaps and detergents*
OTHER COMMODITIES
ity SffFVIflf?

The aadical care index advanced 0*3 percent with increased hospitalisation insurance preaiuas and higher fees for services of dentists,
physicians, and hospitals*
Higher taxes on cigarettes were effective in Haw York*

Reading and recreation prices averaged 0*3 percent higher aalnly
because of increased aovie admission charges* Prices of television and radio sets were
lower*
The advance of 0*2 percent in personal care was the result of
scattered increases in prices of barber and beauty shop services and soue toiletries*
Apparel prices regained at their lfcrch level as higher prices for
sen's tropical suits and work gloves, woaen's cotton dresses, and sen's, woaen's, and
children's shoes offset redactions in prices of women's sparing coats, wool suits, and
nylon hose*




TABUS A: Revised Indexes for all iteas and aedical care
June 1958 to ferch 1959
(1947-49=100)
U.S. city
Madioal
Bate

All
itens

Madleal
oaf

1958t Average
June
July
August
September
October
Boveaber
Deceaber

144.6
144.2
145.0
145.3
146.5
147.1
147.4
147.6

125.4
125.5
125.7
125.5
126.0
125.9
126.5
126.5

140.9
143.8
144.3
144.5
144.6
145.8
145.3
145.8

1959*

148.0
149.0
149.2

126.5
126.7
126.6

146.1
146.1
146.0

January
February
March

11
T Frioi 2tada*—Vfaitad Scaita aity t i m c i
Major group, subgroup, and special group Indexse, April 1959
and percent changes Area selected datea

3

(1947-49*100 uOim otherwise specified)

h r U B t change to April 1959 froa April
1959

March
1959

Maroh
1959

Janasry
1959

April
1958

123.9

123.7

0.2

0.1

0.3

108.6

roodFood a t ham
>
• •
Cereals and bakery produetaMaate, poultry, and f i s b Dairy prodaataI h d t i and n |
Othar foods a t ho—
Food auaj f r m ham (Jan. 1933*100)

117*6
115.3
134.1
111.5
112.9
123.6
104.7
114.3

117.7
115.5
134.1
111.3
113.3
120.7
107.3
114.3

-

.1
.2
0
.2
- .8
2.4
- 2*4
U

- 1.2
- 1.5
.1
- 2.0
- 1.1
1.6
- 4.7
.7

-3.3
-4.3
1.1
-3.3
.4
-9.5
-6.9
2.5

149.7
144.8
134*4
168.0
126.7
167.0
116.3
(1/)

Han ring
Rank
Qaa and eleoftrlolty
Solid f o a l s and f u e l o i l -

128.7
139.3
118.2
133.7
103.3
133.8

128.7
139.1
118.5
140.3
103.8
133.7

0
.1
- .3
- 1.1
0
.1

•4
.4
0
.1
.6
.5

.3
1.5
1.9
3.4
- .2
2A

69.1
60.9
12.7
145.9
94*4
95.6

ApperelMan'a and b o y s ' —
Voaan'a and g l r l a *
footvearOther apparel-

107.0
103.0
93.9
132.4
91.9

107.0
107.3
99.0
132.0
91.3

0
.2
.1
•3
.1

.3
0
.2
1.2
.2

.3
- 1.0
.7
2.0
0

103.8
112.6
81.5
163.2
126.4

Tranepartatio
Private

145.3
134*4
192.6

144.9
134.0
192.0

.3
.3
.3

.3
1.0
.4

5.1
5.3
3.5

107.0
105.2
136.9

149.6

•149.2

.3

1.1

4.8

106.1

130.0

129.7

a

.5

1.2

118.1

Bparting aad recreation-

117.7

117.3

•3

.6

•6

86.8

Othar goods aad aarvloea-

128.2

127.3

.7

.7

.8

31.6

127.1

126.9

•2

.6

1.7

83.9

•2

119.3

tap
A l l Itmm-

Hou—hold opsratlotk-

Riblic-

Bareoaal aara-

-

-

leer
1939

Speelal grapes
A l l ltaaa laaa food

121.5

121*4

.1

0

115.9
117.4
117.6
117.5
107.0
126.6
112.6
139.0
91.8
103.3

115.9
117.4
117.7
117.4
106.9
126.4
112.5
140.0
90JS
103 .2

0
0
- .1
.1
.1
•2
.1
- .7
1.3
.1

- .3
- .3
- 1.2
.7
•3
1.0
•2
- 1*4
2.7
.2

J>
- 1.5
- 3.3
a
*4
1.1
2.7
5.7
14^
a

124^
123.4
149.7
100.2
105.4
92.1
96.5

Cn—pdltfes laaa food-

114.5

114U

.1

•4

1.5

92.8

Sarrioos

144.3
139.3
14M

144*4
139.1
145.9

.3
.1
.3

Jt>
#4
.7

1.9
1.5
2.0

80.1
60.9
99.2

133.9
179.1
155.2
130.6

133.8
178*4
154^
130.2

.1
•4
.6
.3

2J>
3a
5*4
•4

53.9
123*6
120.1
124.0

#0.307

10.808

*4

-52.1

A l l i t e a * laaa s h e l t e r —

aodltleaablee
FoodMondnrabLee laaa foodApparelM a n U a a laaa food and apparels—
Durahlas •
Oaed oara (Jan. 1953=100)Durablaa laaa oara

flartleea laaa r e n t Hoasshold oparatloa serrioes, gas,
and e l e c t r i c i t y Transportation eciriues
sar rises
Othar services y
toahaalng power of the
(1947-49=31.00)
1 / l o t available.
2 / Ineladea house
y
—
•

Revised.




, Interest,
Oflit.

-

.1

-

.5
.5
1.6
» .5
-

.1

-

U/)
80*3

eeperately.
, and u j i t N p i not
and uptoaep aartloecj tea rapalra, t e l e v i s i o n rapalra, barter

Saa Table A f o r revised indexes from June 1958 forward.

4

T A B U 2s

Constaer M m

Index—411 items indexes and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large olties

Percent change to
current month from

Indexes (1947-49=100)

City
United States city a v e r a g e —

Apr.
1959

Jan.
1959

Apr.
1958

123.9

123.8

123.5

127.4
123.5
•126.6
122.0
123.6

127.1
123.3
126.5
121.8
123.4

127.0
124.4
125.6
121.2
122.9

1959

Jan.
1959

Apr.
1958

125.1
125.5
125.1
124.5
125.3

125.4
124.5
125.3
124.4
124.2

124.5
123.7
124.1
123.8
125.0

fer.
1959

Dec*
1958

ter.
1958

124.3

124.4
125*5
122.4
125.7
127.9

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5

Feb.
1959

Nov.
1958

Feb.
1958

124.8
124.1
120.3
126.9
121.3

124.5
124.2
120.7
126.0
121.5

124.5
122.3
119.1
125.0
120.3

lear
1939

—

Jan.
1959

Apr.
1958

Tear
1939

59.4

0.1

0.3

108.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

.2
•2
.1
.2
•2

•3
.7
•8
•7
A

117*4
109.3
109.6
103.0
108.8

Cities priced monthly J[/

Detroit

Philadelphia
Cities prioed in January, April,
July, October 1 /
Boston
•••
Kansas C i t y - - — — - —
Minneapolis"'"
-

APR.

— '

Portland, Oregon
Cities prioed in March, June,
September, December 2J
Atlanta—
Baltimore————
Cincinnati
San Franeisoo

••

- ••

-•••

1

'

" •

•• -

Cities prioed in February, Jfey,
August, November 2J

Seattlo
Washington, D. C. • • • • -

126.4
122,2
136*0
129.0

IA6.7

Tear
1939
6l.t>
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3
Tear
1939
58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

-

Jan.
1959
-

Apr.
1958

.2
.8
.2
.1
.9

.5
1.5
.8
.6
.2

Dsc.

Ifer.
1958

-

1958
-

.1
«7
.2

-

-

113.2
118.3
109.2
112.5
120.1

1.2
1.8

•9
HQV.

1939

1958

Feb*
1958

.2
.1
.3
•7
.2

.2
1.5
1.0
1.5
•8

-

Tear
1939

- .1

•2

-

105.1
103.4
106.1
114.3
114*9

.5
1.9

Tear
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

Tear
1939

Tear
1939
110.8
108.6
105.6
114*4
100.8

j / Rents priced bimonthly.
2J Foods, fuels, and a fev other items priced monthly; rents and other comnodities and services priced quarterly*
* See Table A for revised indexes from June 1958 forward*

TABUS 3 s Consumer Price Index—Beroent changes frcn Hurch 1959 to April 1959
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All itens and ccv&odity groups

City

All
items

tibited States city average—
Chicago—-—
Detroit——
Lps A n g e l e s — — —
New Tork
Philadelphia

*

0.2

.2
*

.2
0
.2
.2

Food
- 0.1
-

Based on revised indexes for March.




.2
.2
.2
.2
.2

Housing

Transportation

Apparel

Medical
care

Personal
care

0

0

0.3

•0.3

0.2

0.3
.1
- .1
.2
.3

- 0.3
.1
.1
- .1
- .1

0
1.2
.4

1.7
0
• .3
.1
.1

1.0
0
.4

.8
'

.3

- .2
•2

See Table A for revised indexes from Jons 1958 forward.

Reading
and
recreation

-

Other
goodt &
services

0.3

0.7

.3
1.3
.5
.2
2*6

.1
.1
.1
2.5
0

TABIC 4* Consuner ftrioe Index—-All items and ecano£ity groups
April 1959 indexes and percent changes, January 1959 to April 1959
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in April 1959
U.8.

City
Average Boston

Group

Shioago

Detroit

Kansas
City

Indexes

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

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefornishlngs
Household operation
Apparel

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Personal care

123.5

125.5

126.6

125.1

122.0

117.6

117.3
113.9
132.4
112.7
110.9
117.8
101.0

115.2

117.2
114.7
125.2
107.6
108.1
133.8

111.6
108.7
127.2

123.1
118.7
146.1
111.1

118.1
115.0
134.5
107.6

119.5
116.8
141.6
113.8

110.9
133.7
106.6

104.8
132.2

115.1
120.6

110.3

105.1

115.3
134.1
111.5
112.9
123.6
104.7

135.2

—
—

—

107.0

103.2

108.0

104.7

98.9
132.4
91.9

95.4
126.2
98.7

145.3
134.4
192.6

152.9
147.2
168.8

149.6
130.0
117.7
128.2

159.1
132.0
114.2

Other goods and services

126.9

112.5
129.5
104.8
113.4
121.0
108.8
139.0
—

104.4

105.3
107.9
115.5
97.2
126.6

129.3
144.9
101.1

127.3
144.7
117.3
126.9
109.6

136.9

122.9

141.6
121.3
131.8
103.7
136.9

109.4
113.5
98.1
135.8
95.6

104.8
108.2

104.8
107.6

94.7
129.2
85.8

96.9
126.4
87.9

154.7
136.6

138.3

153.4
139.2

196.9

134.4
157.3

158.5
131.5
122.4
121.1

157.8
133.6
114.0
135.7

251.4
170.6
136.3
133.4
124.7

Phila- Pittsdelphia burgh

Portland
Oregon

(19*7-^9-100)

127.4

147.5
114.0
143.7
101.2
131.7

—

lev
lork

125.1

128.7

Private
Public

Minneapolis

123.9

139.3
118*2
138.7
103.8
133.8

Vobbii'i and girls'

Los
Angeles

135.2
—

123.6

124.3

125.3

120.2

118.7
116.9
132.9
110.6
114.5
121.3
114*4

116.9
140.4
114*4
117.3
119.2
106.3

128.6

128.6

103.4
138.7

131.1
136.4
135.1

137.6
102.0

103.9
132.2

108.4
135.1

107.9
143.3

141.5
103.8
129.0

105.2
108.2

127.0

125.9
129.9
115.5
145.1

101.5
123.2

154.0
130.3
132.4
99.4
131.5

108.3
110.7
100.0
133.7
84.6

107.7

106.0

108.4
101.3
128.4
93.7

108.0
96.3
133.2
95.8

141.5
137.8
162.1

130.0
125.0
166.8

146.4
134.1
103.2

191.9
137.3
124.7
131.2

130.7

124.1

117.3
138.7
113.8
116.2
123.5
103.1
122.8
—

119.2

104.3

110.8

94.9
133.7
92.7

103.9
96.1
128.9
98.0

112.7
100.7
138.7
98.2

146.1
127.3
191.4

151.3
130.9
193.4

158.3
132.0
237.7

144.3
138.1
196.8

137.6
122.8
120.1
130.1

152.2
134.9
122.9
128.3

158.0
127.4
109.7
127.6

141.1
133.5
124.7

0.2

0.1

0.9

127.4

Percent change froa Jaznary 1959 to April 1959
All iteas
Food
Food at hone
—
Cereals and bakery products —
Heats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruit® and vegetables
— —
Other foods at hone
lousing
Rent
—
Gas and electricity — — — —
Solid feels and fuel oil
Kousefurniskings — — — — — —

-

-

Apparel — — — — — — — — —
Msn's aad boys' — — — — — —
Vooen's and girls' —

0.1

-

0.2

1.2
1.5
.1
2.0
1.1
1.6

- 4

4.7

-

1.2
1.8
.1
2.3
. 1
.3
1.8

.4
.4
0
.1
.6
.5
.3
0

.2

-

Medical care
Personal care

—

—
—

—
—

Other goods and service* —

—
—

—
—

.8
1.0

.7

-

.1
.2
0
.8
.8
.3

-

.5
.2
.8
2.1

-

.1

-

.1

-

.1
.1

0

-

0

.3
-

- 1.2
- 1.5
.1
- 1.3
- 3 . 0
3.2

1/-

-

-

0.2

.5

.6
.2
1.8
.9
.4

1.1
•5
.6

-

.4
.6
5.0
.8
.5
.7
5.3

-

.4
11

-

.1
.1
.7
1.9
0

-

1.2
.2

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

0.2

4.3
1.7

1.5
.6

•

.6

.1

-

.2

-

5.3

-

0.8

•

1.6

-

- 2.1
.2
- 3 . 2
.2
1.7
- 6 . 2

.8

.8

.3
.3
0
1.7
2.5

.3
.7
4.7
1.9
.1

-

.1

.6

1.3
1.2

.4
.6
1.3
.2

.6
.1

1.1
1.3
0

4.2

3«1
0

.5
3.2
2.8
0

.7

.1

0.1

.8
1.3
.8
- 3 . 6
.8

-

1.4
3.9
.1
—

-

.2

-

.4
0

-

.9
.1
5.8

-

5.2

-

.2
.5
6.0
1.6
.6

0
—
.5
.1

-

-

1.7
2.0
0

*

.2
«8
1.0
.1

2.5

-

1.0
1.5
.6
2.1
2.6
1.8
3.1

1/
-

.8

1.0
1.4
0

.4
.1
2.5

* Baaed on revised indexes for Jaxaary. See Table A for revised indexes ffco* Jons 1958 forward*
J/ Chaste froa February 1959 to April 1959*




.5
.5
1.1
1.0
.1
.7
2.8
.8

-

1.3

-

2.4
.2

1.2
.4
0
3.7
0
-

-

1.4
.7
.5

Jt>
0

-

.9
0

•2

2.1

1.4
2.1
0

- 3 . 4
.1
.7
- 4*1

1.3

2U
1.9
.1

-

2.8

.1
.5

-

1.6
2.1
.2
2.7
2.2
.5
3.7
1.1
.3
0
0

0

1.5
-

-

.8
—

•1

.9
0
.2
.7
0
0

- 4 . 7

.3
.1
0
1.2

-

1.2
1.6

.5
- 1.6
- 2 . 3
1.6

.5
.1
.2
•4
.2

-

-

-

.6

.7
.1
1.1
.9
.5

.1
.1
0
1.1
0

5.1
0

0.2

0.2

0

-

.5
1.7

0

6.0
7.0

0

1.2
.6

0
.8

.9

•4
.1

0

TABU 5« C M i w r Price Index — M
and its subgroups
April 1959 latest* taA p r o m t changes, Hnroh 1959 to April 1959
eltlts
U.S. city t r m | « and 20
Total
food at how

Cltj
change

V.8. city «v»n|»
Atlanta

117e6
115.7
117.3
117.3
115.2

118.1

Cincinnati
Cleveland
Betroit -

114.3
117.2
114.7

City
L m Angeles
UlBMpoUl
W&m Tork Ihlladelphla —
Pittsburg*
Portland, Greg.
St. Louis
tan m a e l s e t
antoa
•eattle
feshlngtea, D.C.

- 0.1
.7
.1

- .8
- .2
.3

.1

115.3

- 0.2

114.1
113.9
113.9
112.5
115.4

.6
0

•2
- .8
0

123.1

- *2

114.7
112.7
108.7
118.7

118.1
119.5

0/)

115.0

116.8

a

120*2 • *2
118.7

118.7

-

117.3
116.9
116.9
114.0
120.1
113.7
118.4

.1

- *2
0

122.2
114U

120.2

118.5

• .5
• .3
.5
• .3

115.8

TABLE 6t

Cereals and bakery products:
Flour,
lb.
Biscuit nix
I oz.
Cera i
lb.
Rice
lb.
Boiled oats
IB1 oz.
,
Cora flakes
— — 12 oz.
<
lb.
Breed, vhite
lb.
Soda crackers
oz.
Yanllla cookies
•nts, poultry, and flsk:
lb.
Bound steak
lb.
Cknek roast
lb.
Bib :
lb.
Into
lb.
Teal cutlets
lb.
Pork chops, center cat
lb.
Bacon, sliced <

---

lb.
lb.
lb.
13 oz.
<
— ]lb.
]lb.
lb.
oz.
oz.

]

Luncheon neat, canaed
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook
Ocean perek, fillet, froxen
Baddock, fillet, ftoaen
Salnoa, pink, canaed
Tana flak, car—"
Dairy
Jairy products;
M1V. fresk,
fMall. t(grocery) qt.
Milk,
qt.
Milk, fresk, (delivered)
pt.
Ice ere—
lb.
Batter
lb.
Cheese, American process
-14&-OZ. can
Milk, evaporated —
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
> oz.
Strawberries
—
OS.
Orange Juice concentrate
> oz.
Pms, green — — — — — —
oz.
Beano, green
Fresk:
lb.
Apples
Oranges, size 200
Grapefruit
• M o o d only lm season.
J/ Bot available.




.3
.1
.2

• 1.0

- .1
• .4
a/)
• .1

-

.3

• .4
- .4
0

• .7
- .4
•4
• .4

111.5

134.1

- 0.2 114.5
.2 111.8
128.6
.2 112.7
132.4
129.5 - .1 104.8
133.4 - .1 110.6
128.9 - .3 105.6
.3 107.6
125.2
125.5

125.7 - .1 106.7
0 105.3
127.2
.1 111.1
146.1
134.5
141.6
138.7
132.9
140.4
124.5
147.2
135.9
146.7

132.2

107.6
113.8

&

113.8
110.6
114U

0
- .1
.1
- .2 106.4
- .1 116.2
- .1 112.6

*2

113.7
112.2

0.2

112.9

1.3
.9

113.8
116.9
110.9
113.4
112.4
110.3

- .6

.5
.5

1.2
.6
•

.9

.6
.3

•

Dairy
products

- 0.8
- .2
- .3
• 4.1

104.8

.9

115.1

.1

114.5
117.3

- .4
• .4
.3

a/)

• 2.2

- 1.9
- 2.3
0

105.6 • .2
115.4 - 1.3
1.1 110.5 • 2.4
1.2

•

.4

116.0

.5

• .2

117.5

3.2

116.6

2.6
.5

1.6

3.3
.9
3.2
*B
2.4
a

124.1
115.4
133.8
125.8
115.5
133.7

.1

1.2 116.2

2U

125.7

121.0

- .1
- .3
• .2
- .1

108.1

123.6

117.8

.1

- .1

113.5
107.9
110.9

0/)

Fruits and
vegetables
Percent
change

132.2

120.6

a/)
6.4

1.1

123.5
121.3

119.2
132.1
132.3
115.1
128.4

2.4
.3
4.0
.5

1.6

119.2

1.6
1.4

Other
foods at hoae
Percent
change

104.7 - 2*1
99.7 - 1.1
103.4 - 2.9
101.0 - 1.3

108.8 - 2.8
108.0 - 1.8
108.0 - 2.1
10U4 - 2.5
102^ - 3 . 6
97.2 - 3 . 4

106.6 - 2.5
110.3
105.1
103.1
114*4
106.3
111.5
105.3
101.4
103.7
105.6

0/)

- 2.4
- 2.5

- 2.1

- 1.4
- 2U>
- 2.9

- 2.8

- 1.7
- 2.3

Canrawr Rrice Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit

Frankfurters

- .2

111.8

111.6

119.2

• 1.0

Moats, poultry,
Cereals and
and fish
bakery products
Percent
change

lb.
doz.
lb.
MOh

Air.
1959

1959

Cents

Cents

54.9
26*6
12*9
18.5
20.4
25.6
19.6
29.2
24U

54.9
26.8
12.9
18.5
20.4
25.6
19.6
29.3
24«4

107.7
64^
82.9
55.0
141.5
84.0
63.1
15*2
64^
51.5
42.7
47.9
60.6
61.1
33.5

107.2
65.2
82.1
55.2
140.6
81.7
67.5
63.7
73.7
64.9
51.8
43.6
47.7
59.7
60.9
33.5

23.7
24.9
29.7
74^
58.0
15.2

24.0
25.2
29.7
74*3
58.0
15*2

26.1
24.8

2S.1
24.9
20.0
22^

68.4

2J.0

22^

14.9
16.3
62.1
18.7
11.8

13e8
16.9

61.1
18.9
11.6

•R5T

Food and unit
F r e s k — Continued
loaches • — — — —
Strawberries • —
Grapes, seedless •
Watermelons » —
Potatoes —
—
—
Smeetpotatoe s — —
Onions —
—
—
Carrots — — — —
Lettuce — — — —

1959
— —
—

—

ib.
pt.

—

lb.
ib.
—
—
10 ib.
— — —
ib.
—
—
ib.
— — —
ib.
— —
head

52.8
14.2
15.7
14.3
16.7
12.9
9.4

Cabbage — — — — — — — — — ib.
Tooatoes — — — — — —
ib.
£eans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange Juice ~ — — — 46-oz. can
Peaches — — — — — —
can
Pineapple — — — — —
#2 can
Fruit COCktall — — — — — £303 can
Corn, creaa style — — —
#303 can
Psas, green — — — — —
#909 can
TOttOSS — * — — — — — #303 can
Baby foods — — — — —
4i to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — —
n>.

32.1
27.0
47.4

36.2
36.0
27*8
19.1

20^8
15.8
10.1
39e7

17.2

Other foods at kos»:
Toaato soup ••
to 11-oz. can
Beans vltk pork —
—
le-oz. can
Pickles, jOioed—--—
15 oz.
Catsup, tonato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee —
—
—
—
— lb. oan
Coffee
lb. bag
tea bags — — — — —
pkg. of i«
Cola drink, carton — — — — — 36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated — —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored —
—
—
ib.
Salad dressing
Psanut batter —

—

—

1959
Cents

—

—

—
—

pt.
ib.

Corn syrap — — — — • — — 24 oz.
Grape Jelly —
—
u 0z.
Chocolate bar — — — — — —
1 0z.
Eggs, Grade A, large —
—
do*.
Gelatin, flavored —
3 to 4 oz.

12.5
15.1
2S.5
22.7
79.5
61.9

24.2
29*2
89.4
26*3
20.7
37.8
55.9
56.9
26.4
28.1
5*2
54.1
9.2

Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332

7
Britf faptamtAw ofttyggfJ
The Consumer Prioe Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers. It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their prioe changes would
represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical
families; they include all of the important items in family spending. Prices for these
items are obtained intf>cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling
stations, and other types of stores and service establishments w h i c h wage-earner and
clerical-worker families patronise.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities. Almost all prices are obtained
toy personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives*
In calculating the index, prioe changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending. City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49=100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities 1
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
Iynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, t&rooing
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ohio

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities.
A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer
Price Index: A Layman's Guide,19 which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. A more technical
description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical Series.99 Reprints of chapter 9, pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices.
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All
Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of
goods and* services from 1935 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. S.
Zone 9




New York
341 Hinth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
105 West Adams St. 630 fonsone St. 18 Oliver St.
Zone 3
Zone U
Zone 10
IABCR. - D. C.




OCCUPATIONAL WAGE SURVEYS
(BLS Bulletins 1240-1 through 11)

The U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has released 11 of this year's
occupational wage surveys for major labor markets. Reports for 9 additional areas are in process.
The studies were conducted during the winter 1958-59. The individual bulletins provide earnings
information on about 60 jobs selected from several categories: Office clerical, professional and
technical, maintenance and powerplant, and custodial and material movement.
In addition to areawide averages and distributions of workers by earnings classes for each
job, information is provided wherever possible by major industry division, including manufacturing,
public utilities, finance, trade, and services.
Also presented for all areas except Denver, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Newark-Jersey
City, and St. Louis are data for paid holidays; paid vacations; scheduled weekly hours; health, insurance, and pension plans; minimum entrance rates; and shift differential practices.
The areas covered, survey date, bulletin number, and price are as follows:
Cents
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Dallas
Denver
Memphis
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Newark-Jersey City
Philadelphia
St. Louis
Seattle

August 1958
October 1958
September 1958
October 1958
December 1958
January 1959
Janu&ry 1959
December 1958
November 1958
October 1958
August 1958

1240-2
1240-6
1240-3
1240-5
1240-7
1240-10
1240-11
1240-9
1240-8
1240-4
1240-1

25
25
25
25
20
20
20
20
30
15
25

Send orders (accompanied by check or money order) to the Superintendent of Documents,
Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C., or to any of the following U. S. Department of
Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics regional sales offices:

Boston

New York

Atlanta

Chicago

San Francisco

18 Oliver Street

341 Ninth Avenue

1371 Peachtree Street, NE.

105 West Adams Street

630 Sansome Street

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS







PAID HOLIDAY PROVISIONS IN MAJOR UNION CONTRACTS, 1958

A study of 1,736 collective "bargaining agreements, covering almost
8,000,000 workers, analyzing:
* Number of Paid Holidays
* Changes Since 1950
* Holiday Premium Pay
* Eligibility Requirements
* Pay for Holidays on Nonworkdays
* Unpaid Holidays
(25 pages, 11

tables)

Order as BLS Bulletin 12^8 and send check or money order to any of these
Bureau of Labor Statistics regional offices:
3kl 9th Ave.
New York 1, N. Y.

18 Oliver St,
Boston 10, Mass.

105 West Adams St.
Chicago 3> 111.

630 Sansome St.
San Francisco 11, Calif.

1371 Peachtree St., NE
Atlanta 9, Ga.

or to the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C.
Price 25 cents a copy

ORDER FORM
Enclosed find $
(check or money order). Please send me
copies of
BLS Bull. 12kQ, Paid Holiday Provisions in Major Union Contracts, 1958, 25 cents
a copy. (Twenty-five percent discount on orders of 100 copies or more.)
Name
Street Address
City, Zone, and State

UNITED STATES D E P A R T M E N T OF
BUREAU OF LABOR




STATISTICS

LABOR

LS59 2935