Full text of CPI Detailed Report : August 1955
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Issued September 23, 1955 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25* D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST 1955 Consumer prices in United States cities declined 0.2 percent between July and August 1955* according to the U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics. Seasonally lower food prices were mainly responsible for the decrease, although housefurnishings prices also declined. Prices of all other major groups of consumer goods and services either advanced slightly or remained at their July levels. The Consumer Price Index for August 1955 was 11U.5 (19U7-U9 • 100), O.h percent lower than in August 195U. FOOD Family food budgets cost less in Ul of the U6 cities surveyed in August. At 111.2 percent of the 19U7-U9 average, the food index was 0.8 percent lower than in July and 2.1* percent below the August 195U level. Substantial decreases in prices of fresh fruits (down lU.9 percent) and fresh vegetables (down 11.5 percent) ire re primarily responsible for the drop. A decline in the cost of meat was also a contributing factor. On the other hand, prices of eggs jumped llj.l percentj dairy products were up 1 percent; costs of restaurant meals, poultry, frozen fruits and vegetables, canned and dried fruits, and fats and oils increased slightly. Apple prices, which reached a near record high of 20.6 cents a pound in July, fell to 16 cents in August. Peaches and grapes cost substantially less than at the July beginning-of-season levels, as additional supplies reached the market; watermelon prices fell to less than li cents a pound — the lowest average price in the last 3 years. Potato and fresh tomato prices were lower in hh of the 1*6 cities, as ample supplies exercised a depressing influence on the market. Prices of fresh oranges and both canned and frozen orange juice continued to rise and green beans and lettuce prices rose generally. A continued general decline in prices of pork chops was reported, a s UU c i t i e s showed decreases. Pork products were 2 . U percent lower than in July. Beef r o a s t s and most other cuts of fresh meats cost somewhat less, although round steak p r i c e s a g a i n advanced slightly. Poultry prices were 1 percent higher. Seasonal i n c r e a s e s i n m i l k prices in several cities caused the index for dairy products to rise. i n c r e a s e was P e a n u t b u t t e r prices month's HOUSING Although egg prices usually go up at this time of year, this considerably more than the customary July to August increase. edged up to 55*6 cents a pound, a new high. The index of housing costs as a group increased 0.1 percent between July and August. Residential rents rose by 0.1 percent, and c o s t s o f home repairs and maintenance advanced, reflecting higher prices for w a t e r h e a t e r s , k i t c h e n sinks, and sink faucets. Higher prices were reported for bituminous c o a l a n d f u e l oil. Prices of laundry soap and detergents were higher than in July. H o w e v e r , traditional August white sales resulted in generally lower prices for sheets and t o w e l s | s a l e prices were also reported for electric refrigerators and other e l e c t r i c a l appliances, as well as furniture in some cities4 2 OTHER COMMODITIES A p p a r e l p r i c e s rose 0.2 percent during t h e m o n t h . Prices were f AND SERVICES g e n e r a l l y higher for women s r a y o n d r e s s e s a n d some scattered ™ increases were reported for rayon s k i r t s , g i r d l e s , a n d footwear. P r i c e s of men's suits a n d s l a c k s and women's nylon slips declined s l i g h t l y between July and August. The rise of 0.3 percent in costs of personal care resulted primarily from higher prices for men's haircuts in several cities. Prices of home permanent wave refill kits and shaving cream also went up, while lower prices were reported for cleansing tissues. In transportation, prices were higher for gasoline and transit fares were increased in certain cities. However, further concessions were made by new-car dealers and rates for automobile insurance were reduced in certain areas. In consequence, the transportation index as a whole remained at its July level. 3 TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX -- U.3, CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates August 1955 July 1955 June 1955 August 195 U This Month Last Monfch 2 Months Ago Last Year June 1950 Group Pre-Korea Year 1939 PreWorld War II INDEXES (19V7-49 —100) ALL ITEMS Cereals and bakery products . , Meats, poultry and fish . . . . Dairy products Solid fuels and fuel oil . . . , Housefurnishings ••••••«• APPAREL . . . . Footwear TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE . . . H2RS0NAL CARE * READING AND RECREATION • . . . . J OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 11U.5 11U.7 llU.il 115.0 101.8 59.4 111.5:' 112.1 111.3 113.9 100*5 47.1 110.0 102.9 10^.? 111.3 112.6 111a 12U.2 103.7 10U.7 121.9 109.2 110.3 12U.0 103.8 lOii.l 119.5 107.7 113.3 122.3 107.6 105.1 11U.7 119.6 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 94.1 47.1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48,4 120.0 119*9 119.7 119,2 104.9 76.1 130.5 110.8 123.8 103.2 119*5 130.Ii 110.8 123*2 103.6 119. U 130.U 110.7 122.7 103.8 119.2 128.6 107.8 121.9 105.U 117.3 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.4 99.6 86.6 104.9 56.4 53.U 68*4 103.1 103.2 103.2 103.7 96.5 52.5 105.5 97.U 117.6 90.5 105.7 96.9 117.5 90.5 105.6 97.2 117.1* 90.1 106.U 97.7 116.9 90.7 58.1 93.3 102.1 88.4 y, i' V u 125. U 126.0 115.6 106.3 120.1 125.U 127.9 115.5 106.3 120.3 125.8 127.6 11U.7 106.2 119.9 126.6 125.5 113.U 106.6 120.2 109.9 105.4 99.2 102.5 103.7 68.9 72.6 59.6 63,0 70.6 June 1950 Year 1939 12k.l PERCENT CHANGE TO AUGUST 1955 FROMt Cereals and bakery products . • OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ . . . , July 1955 - 0.2 June 1955 0.1 August 195U - o.U 12.5 92.8 - 0.8 - 0.1 - 2.U 10.6 136.1 - 1.0 - 0.1 - 0.8 1.0 - 8.7 3.1 - 0.3 0.1 - 0.9 1.5 - 6.9 U.5 - 2.9 1.5 - U.U 0.6 - 3.0 - 5.9 9.5 20.8 - 3.0 1U.5 8.6 19.7 133.5 117.0 1U7.U 112.2 1U0.U 132.6 0.1 0.3 0.7 1U.U 57.7 0.1 0 0.5 - o.U 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9 - 0.6 0*3 1.5 2.8 1.6 - 2.1 1.9 20.1 7.9 15.1 6.0 20.0 50.7 5.6 119.5 93.3 7U.7 0.2 0.2 - 0.3 7.2 97.0 - 0.2 0.5 0.1 0 - 0.1 0.2 0.2 O.U - 0.8 - 0.3 0.6 - 0.2 7.5 U.U 15.2 2.U w 0 0.1 0.3 0 0.1 - 0.3 0.3 1.0 oa o.u - 0.9 2.0 2.1 - 0.3 0.2 1U.1 21.U 16.7 3.7 16.1 82.0 76.3 9U.3 68.7 70.5 1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. 3/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). 4/ Not available. y 5/ k TAB IE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — AIL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SEIECTED DATES U.S. CITT AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES ( = (1935-39=100) 100 ) City July 1955 August 1955 August 195U June 1950 August 1955 Year 1939 1/ U.S. CITY AVERAGE 1114.5 11U.7 115.0 101.8 59A 191.U 118.5 116.5 115.5 111.9 115.8 118.2 116.8 115.9 111.9 115.8 117.7 116.8 115.1 113.0 116.2 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.1* 60.1 59.2 201.8 196.7 193.0 185.2 192.7 CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: New York Washington, D . C . May 1955 August 1955 CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/ • • « • • • • • CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 2/ CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/ August 1951 May 1950 116.0 115.5 111.5 116.6 113.8 115.3 115.5 111.1* 116.8 113.5 115.3 116.5 112 .ii 116.2 llli.l 100.1* 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 July 1955 April 1955 July 195U April 1950 113*8 115.9 117.5 11U.0 m.7 113.U 115.2 117.0 113.8 lUi.2 113.8 115.6 117.3 115.U 115.5 101.2 101.1; 3/102.1 99.9 101.5 June 1955 March 1955 June 195U June 1950 116.0 115.0 113.7 115.9 115.3 115.3 llit.9 113.li 115.6 115.6 117.6 115.5 11U.2 117. k 116.8 August 1955 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.1; 197.7 195.5 185.3 199.3 186.9 July 1955 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 183.2 186.6 19U6 193.8 198.7 June 1955 ii/101.3 ~ 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 58.3 57.9 58.1* 59.3 58.6 196.7 197.7 191.5 193.1» 197.0 l/ These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 — 100. 2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. 3/June 1950j formerly priced March, June, September, December. 5/May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November. TABLE 3. City U.S. CITY AVERAGE Chicago Detroit Los Angeles Neir York . . . . . . . . Philadelphia CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES PROM JUL! 1955 TO AUGUST 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups Food All Items Housing - 0.2 - 0.8 0.1 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.3 0 0 0 0.8 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.5 - o.l* 0.2 0.1 0.1 Apparel Transportation 0 0.2 o.U 0.6 - o.U - 0.1 0.3 0.8 - 1.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 Medical Care 0.1 0 0.1 0 0 0 Personal Care Reading and Recreation 0.3 0 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.5 0 Other Goods & Services 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 0 0 5 TABLE k. CONSUMER ffilCE INDEX — ALL ITEM& AND COMMODITY GROUPS August 1955 Indexes end Percent Changes, May 1955 to August 1955 U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in August 1955 U.S. Los CleveCITY AVERAGE Chicagc land Detroit Houston Angeles Group New York PhilaWashingdelphia Scrantoi Seattle ton, D.( August 1955 Indexes (19U7-U9 - 100) ALL ITEMS • nU.5 118.5 111.2 110.5 Household operation # ... • Men's and boys' • . . • . Women'8 and girls' ... # Other apparel • • • • • • • • 115.0 llU.l 115.2 121.5 1UU.6 _ _ _ 116.2 108.6 116.5 102.3 119.U 137.7 88.8 1 2 2 .U 137.6 106.8 - lou.o 12U.6 103.1 119.3 119.5 llU.2 113.U 103 .U 105.6 103 . U 101.8 105.7 103.6 105.5 97 .U 117.6 110.6 96.7 121.8 93.6 108.0 107.0 9U.0 113. U 87.0 102.2 106.3 130.5 119.5 121.5 116.3 121.3 115.U 119.6 120.7 132.7 126.7 108.9 120.U 118.1 95.5 116.8 92.U 136.8 12U.6 101.li 126.7 90.2 125.1 119.8 108.7 118.9 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • - HOUSING Rent • « • * • • • • • • # # # # - Solid fuels and fuel oil # MEDICAL CARE # • PERSONAL CARE # • READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . l/ # # • - Change from February 1955 to August 1955. 1.1 0.6 0.1 1.2 0 - 0.8 - 0.5 0 0.2 0.8 1.6 7.U 3.9 1.2 0.5 - 1.0 0.2 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 0.7 0.1 0.1 5.9 3.7 3.5 - 9.1 3.0 1.3 - 0.1 -11.2 U.2 0.5 1.5 0.7 o.U 0.2 0.1 1.1 - - 0 2.2 5.9 1/ ~ 1.5 0 1.7 - o.U 0.3 2.5 0.1 1.3 - o.U 0.1 0.2 0.2 2.0 - 0.5 o.U 1.7 0.2 o.U 0.9 0.5 - 2.0 O.U 0.6 0.2 - - 0.3 - 0.2 o.U 0.1 0.1 - 0.2 0.2 6.2 1.1 0.2 0.2 l.U 0.1 5.8 1.0 - 0 1.3 - 125.5 108.2 115.6 125.0 131.0 121.9 100.5 109 . U lio.U 113.5 116.8 _ 123.1 132.0 10U.2 11U.2 99.U 109.9 103.7 101.6 101.2 10U.3 106.U 106.7 101.6 105.9 93.0 10U.1 101.8 112.3 91.7 107.2 101.6 121.U 91.3 109.1 105.1 135.1 123.8 119.8 126.1 1 3 1 .U 129.1 113.2 120.5 128.2 130.1 117.0 92.6 126.8 126.2 109.1 103.7 121.0 C 138.3 117.3 123.5 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.9 5.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 - 1.2 0.8 - 1.9 0.1 1.0 0.8 0.8 3.U 7.5 6.8 0.3 0 -11.5 0.9 - _ - 0 - - - - 1.7 - 1.3 - 0.1 - 3.1 0.1 1.6 0.6 - 1.0 0 - o.5 - - 0.3 0.5 - 1.0 - o.5 0 0.2 o.5 - 0.3 0.1 l.U - 2.U 0.3 0.5 1.3 - 0.1 l.U 0 0.1 - 116.1 y - 0.9 - - 0.3 122.7 12U.3 117.6 96.U 0.7 0.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 o.U 1.2 0.6 - - - 97 .U 119.6 82.8 0 0.3 - - 101.5 105.1 121.9 115.1 11U.5 101.0 122.2 87.2 117.9 107.9 121.1 95.U 115.U 90.3 118.U lll.U 106.0 — May 1955 to August 1955 Percent Change Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish • • • Dairy products • • • • Fruits and vegetables • • • Other foods at heme • . • • 110.1 127.2 109.6 99.7 127.0 113.8 111.7 122.8 11U.6 121.9 101.9 100.5 106.3 READING AND RECREATION • . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 109.1 122.3 109.0 118.2 129.0 105.8 121.1 115.8 llU.l 113.U 112.1 119.7 101.6 105.7 108.U 118.8 106.U 128.5 113.8 112.2 109.1 109.1 125.U 128.0 TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CAKE • • • • • • • 116.6 108.5 110.5 90.5 lll.U 111.5 115.8 112.9 122.9 110.8 123.8 103.2 110.7 111.9 111.6 127.7 10U.1 108.2 11U.2 111.8 130.9 130.5 Gas and electricity . . . Solid fuels and fuel oil 115.5 113.1 123.0 105.6 108.7 117.8 11U.6 120.0 11U.2 113.5 110.1 lio.U 129.0 10U.8 105.1 10U.9 117.0 117.9 97.0 115.5 107.5 128.0 102.1 102.9 102.7 109.5 109.0 119.6 116.5 108.8 1 1 9 .U 105.7 111.3 112.6 102.9 • 109.6 108.1 119.1* 100.1 102.2 108.5 115.7 110,0 12U.1 Food at home • • • • • • Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish . Dairy products Fruits and vegetables . . Other foods at home . . . 116.0 o.U 1.3 0.5 0 0.1 - 0.2 0.3 1.1 0.5 - 0.9 o.U 1.3 1.7 o.U - 0.7 - 5.3 6.1 - 2.5 0.5 1/ 0.2 _ - 2.2 0.8 0.1 0 - 0 3.1 0.5 0 2.5 - 0.2 - 9.9 1/0.7 0 0.2 - 1.0 0 0 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.9 1.6 0.1 0.6 - 0.3 - 0 - 0.3 0.2 0.1 . 0.5 2.8 0.1 0.3 1.7 0 - - - 1.2 2.6 3.6 l.U 0.5 o.U 1.5 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.6 o.U 1.0 0.5 - 6.2 - 0.1 0.2 0.2 - - 0.1 - 0.2 1.2 0.7 0.7 o.U 0.1 1.2 5.1 0.1 - - 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.3 0 0.5 0.2 7.5 7.U 0.1 0.2 - 1.0 1.7 0.6 0.1 0.3 1.0 0.2 0 0.5 0.7 0.2 6 TABIS 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS August 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, July 1955 to August 1955 U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities (19^7-^9 _ ioo) Total Total Food Cereals Food at Home City Index 111.2 110.6 113.3 110.3 110.5 111.5 109.6 U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . .... .... .... Cincinnati . .... Cleveland . • • . . . 113.5 Detroit • • • * Houston . . . . . . 110.1 105.8 Atlanta • • • Baltimore . . Boston ... Kansas City • Los Angeles • . . . . i 110.7 • • • • • • • Minneapolis • Hew York • • Philadelphia Pittsburgh . Portland, Ore, St. Louis • • San Francisco Scranton . • Seattle . • • Washington, D«>C. . . . • . . . . . .lll.U . .lll.U . llU.l .111.8 . 110. U .112.5 . .111.9 . .109.1 . .112.2 . 1 111.7 Percent Change - - - - - - - - 0.8 0.2 1.1 0.5 0 2.0 0.1 0.8 0.5 1.8 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 o.U 1.2 0.8 1.5 1.0 l.i 0.3 Index Percent - 112.0 109.0 109.0 110.U 108.1 112.1 109.0 10U.0 107.5 110.5 110.il 113.1 111.1 109.5 - - - 0.7 0.2 0.2 126.1 129.0 123.0 125.1 - - 0.5 - 111.0 - 108.8 111.6 110.1 12U.1 117.8 121.9 119.6 119.6 12U.1 119.U 119.7 118.2 120.9 128.0 - 110.2 - - l.U 1.1 CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS: Flour, wheat 5 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 7 oz, MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH: lb. Round steak lb. Chuck roast lb. Rib roast lb. Hamburger lb. Veal cutlets lb. Pork chops, center cut lb. Bacon, sliced lb. Ham, whole lb. Lajrib, 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 16 oz. Salmon, pink, canned oz. Tuna fish, canned 1/ DAIRY PRODUCTS: qt. Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) pt. Ice cream lb. Butter lb. Cheese, American process 14 £ oz. can Milk, evaporated FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Frozen 10 oz. Strawberries 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 10 oz. Peas, green 10 oz. Beans, green Fresh lb. Apples lb. Bananas doz. Oranges, size 200 lb. Lemons V Priced only in season Formerly 7 oz* Formerly l / U l b . Formerly 1 l b . 123.5 118.8 1.9 130.9 l.U 119.U 0.8 127.7 o.U 121.9 1955 1955 (Cents) 12.6 18.1 12.6 19.2 21.9 17.7 27.0 23.8 90.6 U8.3 69.5 39.3 109.0 81.U 67.3 62.9 68.0 53.9 27.U 18.0 19.2 21.9 17.8 26.9 23.8 89.9 U9.1 70.U 39.U 109.U 87.1 67. U 63.0 68.8 U6.3 55.6 35.3 52.9 U3.0 U7.1 57.5 U2.6 U6.2 55.U 35. U 22.0 21.6 53.1 U2.7 U7.6 '57.9 U2.8 23.0 29.0 70.5 57.9 13.7 30.U 18.7 20.6 2U.1 16.0 17.2 57.6 17.5 - - - - - Dairy & Fish Percent Index Change Products Index Percent Fruits St Other Vegetables Index Change Foods at Home Percent Percent Index Change Change - 102.1 0.8 1.7 0.8 1.2 l.U 2.U 1.0 0 - 0.3 - l.U - l.U 105.7 1 1.0 108.2 0.2 109.1 0.7 1.2 107.7 2.9 109.5 106.2 - 0.2 102.2 6.3 o.U 105.7 109.6 0.9 9U.8 - 8.7 102.9 - 0.1 111.3 112.7 118.9 111.2 11U.2 108.9 108.5 121.9 112.9 105.8 102.7 - 8.7 - 2.6 2.7 - 7.9 - U.8 -11.8 - 8.9 - 9.9 - U.7 - 7.U -10.3 112.6 105.1 112.5 110.U 117.9 117.6 115.7 11U.6 108.5 106.0 109.1 3.1 2.6 3.7 U.3 3.5 2.8 2.3 3.8 l.U U.2 1*5 99.1 10U.8 105.6 100.5 103.1 102.8 106.7 - 0.6 0 - 0.7 - 0.3 - 1.8 - 0.9 - 0.9 105.9 105.1 108.7 106.6 1.6 2.3 - 0.1 0.1 - 0.5 o.U 112.6 10U.9 117.8 110.9 - 8.5 - 9.0 - U.7 - 7.6 - 6.7 - 6.U -10.8 -10.0 - 7.5 - 6.0 120.2 117.0 11U.6 121.6 3.0 5.1 U.o 3.2 2.2 0.1 0.1 0 o.U 0.3 o.U 0.3 0 0 0.1 0.1 102.9 105.7 103.8 100.2 97.0 102.9 100.1 101.6 101.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 o.5 1.0 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 0 97.5 101.5 10U.1 100.5 102.7 95.5 105.0 0 - 1.9 105.1 0.1 0.2 108.2 - o.U 0.1 - 0.7 109. U 110.7 120.U 109.5 108.2 11U.2 110.U July (Cents) 53.8 27.2 - Meats, Poultry 113.3 118.8 1.7 110.7 113. U 111.8 2.2 U.5 2.6 113.5 3.8 RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR AUGUST 1955 AND JUL! 1955 U.S. City Average August Food and Unit Change 1.0 0.3 1.3 o.5 0 2.3 0.6 1.1 0.5 2.1 2.0 TABLE 6. * V y 3/ Index Percent Change 110.0 109.0 & Bakery Products 22.7 29.0 70.2 57.8 13.7 30.6 18.3 19.7 2U.0 20.6 17.3 55.6 17. U August 1955 Food and Unit Fresh (continued) (Cents) Grapefruit * each Peaches * lb. 18.3 Strawberries * pt. Grapes, seedless * lb. 20.3 Watermelons * lb. 3.8 Potatoes 10 lb. U8.5 lb. Sweetpotatoes lU.U lb. Onions 7.8 lb. Carrots 13.1 head Lettuce 17.U lb. Celery lU.l lb. Cabbage 6.9 lb. Tomatoes 17.9 lb. Beans, green 18.6 Canned 4 6 oz. can Orange juice 3U.0 # 2 h can Peaches 3U.U #2 can Pineapple 32.9 #303 can Fruit cocktail 26.6 #303 can Corn, cream style 16.9 #303 can Peas, green 21.5 #303 can Tomatoes 15.2 oz. 4 Baby foods 9.7 Dried lb. Prunes 3U.1 lb. Beans 18.U OTHER FOODS AT HOME: 11 oz. can Vegetable soup lb.2 16 oz. can Beans with pork 15.0 7 h oz. Pickles, sweet 27.3 14 &z. Catsup, tomato 22.6 lb. Coffee 89.0 pkg. 16 2U.2 Tea bags 2/ carton of 6, 6 oz. Cola drinlT 32.5 3 lb. Shortening, hydrogenated 3 / 89.9 lb. Margarine, colored 28.9 Lard lb. 20.2 pt. Salad dressing 35.U lb Peanut butter 55.6 5 lb. Sugar 51.9 24 oz. Corn syrup 23.7 12 oz. Grape jelly 26.1 7/8 oz. Chocolate bar U.6 doz. Eggs, Grade A, large 65.3 3 - 4 oz. Gelatin, flavored 8.6 •t July 1955 (Cents) 30.9 29.5 U.7 59.5 16.3 8.6 13.2 15.9 1U.8 7.0 28.1 15.1 33.5 3U.0 32.9 26.5 16.8 21.5 15.3 9.7 33.9 18.3 lU.l 15.0 27.U 22.5 89.1 2U.2 32.5 89.0 28.8 20.5 35.3 55.1 51.9 23.7 25.9 U.6 57.3 8.6 LS56-769 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF 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 = 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 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every b 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 I^nchburg, 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 iildex 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.
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