Full text of CPI Detailed Report : August 1958

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Released September 19, 1958
U.S. DEPARTMENT QF LABCR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, B* C.
CONSUMER HI ICE INDEX FCR AUGUST 1958
Consumer prices in United States cities declined 0.2 percent between
July and August 1958, for the first decrease in tvo years, according to the U*S. Department of labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics* Lover food prices vere primarily responsible
for the decline, although apparel prices also fell* Transportation, housing, medical
care, and recreation costs vere higher*
The Consumer Price Index for August 1958 vas 123*7 (1947-49=100),
2*2 percent higher than a year ago*
FOCD

Food prices dropped 0*8 percent during the month as lover prices of
fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and poultry more than offset
higher prices for eggs, milk, and restaurant meals* The August food index at 120*7 was
2*4 percent higher than a year ago*
Prices of fruits and vegetables dropped 5*3 percent as plentiful
supplies of fresh produce continued to reach the market* Prices of fresh vegetables
vere dovn 12*2 percent* Potato prices fell 12*3 percent, tomatoes 26*4 percent, celery
16*4 percent, green beans 15*0 percent, lettuce 7*5 percent, onions 7*3 percent, and
cabbage 8*7 percent* Prices of carrots and sweet potatoes vere higher* Fresh fruit
prices dropped 5*7 percent, with watermelons dovn 21*1 percent, grapes dovn 20*2 percent,
and peaches dovn 14«0 percent* Banana prices vere up 14*6 percent* Processed fruits
and vegetables prices vere scmevhat higher on the average largely because of further
increases in prices of canned and ffosen orange juice*
Prices of meats fell 0*9 percent, vith lover prices for most cuts*
All beef prices were dovn, vith chuck roast declining 3*7 percent, round steak 2*1 percent, and hamburger and rib roast 1*5 percent* Pork chops vere dovn in price 2*3
percent and ham 0*4 percent, but bacon vas up 1*5 percent* Leg of lamb prices declined
1*3 percent vhile frankfurters and luncheon meats vere slightly higher0 Prices of
frying chickens dropped 4*8 percent as supplies continued to increase*
Egg prices shoved a seasonal Increase of 5*7 percent* Milk prices
continued up seasonally and coffee prices continued to decline* Prices of restaurant
meals rose 0*4 percent*
AffARfiL

Apparel prices declined
0*1 percent, reflecting videspread reductions
1
for men's and boys sport shirts, men's socks, slacks, shorts, and
suits and women's nylon hose* These reductions vere partly offset by higher prices for
vomen's rayon dresses, children's and vomen's shoes and shoe repair services*
TRANSPORTATION

Private transportation costs vere up 0*6 percent, largely because of
further advances in prices of used cars and gasoline (up 2*0 percent
and 1*1 percent, respectively)* Tire prices and auto insurance rates also advanced*
frices of nev cars and auto repair services were slightly lover*
HOUSING

The housing index rose 0*2 percent, reflecting advances in most of
its component subgroups* Rents were up 0*2 percent, as increases
vere reported in most of the cities surveyed* Household operation rose 0 o 7 percent,
chiefly as a result of the increase in postage rates* Seasonal advances in prices of
fuel oil, anthracite, and bituminous coal caused a rise of 1©0 percent in the solid fuels
and fuel oil subgroup* Gas and electric bills rose 0*4 percent on the average, following




2

rate increase8 In several cities* Partially offsetting these advances were decreases of
0*2 percent for bene repairs and maintenance and 0*7 percent for housefurnishings, as
customary August white sales brought lower prices for household textiles*
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The rise of 0*3 percent in medical care reflected higher premiums
for group hospitalisation insurance in three small cities, higher
fees for professional and hospital services, and increased prices of
prescriptions and drugs*

Reading and recreation increased 0*1 percent, due largely to higher
prices for television sets*




TABUS 11 ConouMBr Frio* Index—-Halted Stat** city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, August 1958,
and percent changes froa selected dates
(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)
Percent change to August 1958 frcn —

Indexes
August

Group

1958

All itens
Pood
Cereals and bakery products
Msats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
• •
• FTuits and vegetables
Food away from (Jan. 1953=100)
Housing Z/*
- • —.i•—
Rent
Gas and electrioity
...,-.—
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
«
Apparel
Man's aid boys'
Masen's and girls'
Other apparel ••••••
Public
Private
Msdioal care •••••.
Ptrsonal care

Special groupst
All itens less food
• ••
All iteas less shelter
CcModities
Kondurables- •••
Food
Apparel
Hondurables less food and apparel—
Durables *
Osed oars (Jan. 1953=100)
Cr—ruff ties less food
Servioes less rent•
—
Household operation servioes, gas,
and electricity -- ••• ••
Transportation servioes

3

July

July

May

1958

1958

1958

August

Tmr

2.2

108.2

1957

1939

123.7

123.9

- 0.2

0.1

120.7
119.2
132.9
117.7
113.0
124.9
112.8
113.3

121.7
120.5
132.9
119.2
112.4
131.9
111.8
112.8

- .8
- 1.1
0
- 1.3
.5
- 5.3
.9
.4

- .7
- 1.1
.1
.9
1.1
- 9.1
1.2
1.0

2.4
2.2
1.5
5.2
1.3
3.0
- .9
3.0

156.3
153.1
132.3
182.9
126.9
169.8
133.1
a/)

127.9
138.1
117.5
133.6
103.3
132.1

127.7
137.8
117.0
132.3
104.0
131.2

.2
.2
.4
1.0
- .7
.7

.1
.4
.9
1.5
- .7
.9

1.8
2.0
3.7
- 1.5
- .6
3.2

68.1
59.5
12.0
136.9
93.4
93.1

106.6
108.3
98.5
130.0
91.9

106.7
108.5
98.6
129.7
92.0

-

-

.1
.6
.1
.2
.2

0
.5
.1
1.3
- .1

103.0
113.2
80.7
158.4
126.4

141.0
189.5
130.1

140.3
189.5
129*3

.5
0
.6

1.7
1.8
1.6

3.8
4.9
3.6

100.9
133.1
98.6

145.0
128.9
116.7
127.1

144.6
128.9
116.6
127.2

-

.3
0
.1
.1

.9
.3
.1
.1

4*6
3.2
3.6
.3

99.7
116.3
85.2
80.0

125.6
121.4

125.4
121.6

-

.2
.2

.4
.1

2.1
2.3

81.8
119.1

116.4
118.8
120.7
116.9
106.5
125.9
109.9
130.6
85.8
103.0

116.8
119.4
121.7
116.9
106.7
125.8
109.8
130.8
84.1
103.1

.2
.3
.7
•3

.6
•2
- .2
5.5
- .6

1.6
1.6
2.4
.8
- .1
1.3
1.4
3.2
3.6
.5

125.6
131.1
156.3
99.1
104.4
91*0
91.8
129.1
(l/>
79.8

113.2

113.1

.1

.3

1.0

90.6

143.0
138.1
144.4

142.6
137.8
144.1

.3
.2
.2

•5
.4
•4

3.4
2.0
3.7

77.9
59.5
96.5

132.2
175.0
149.8

131.3
174.9
149.4

.7
.1
.3

1.0
•8
1.0

3.3
5.6
4.8

52.0
118.5
112.5

•0.808

•0.807

.1

.1

- 2.2

-52.0

-

.1
.2
.1
.2
.1

-

.3
.5
.8
0
- .2
.1
.1
- .2
2.0
- .1

-

-

-

a

-

Airchasing power of the oonstawr dollar
(1947-49=11.00)

-

1/ Not available.
2d Includes house purchase, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.




4
T A B U 2 s Consumer Prioe Index—All itass indexes and percent change*, selected dates
U*S« city average and 20 large cities
Bsrcent change to
current aonth frcei —
August
May
Tear
1958
1957
1939

Indexes (1947-49=100)
City

August
1958

United States oity average ' •• • ••

^y
1958

August
1957

Year
1939

123.6

121.0

59.4

127.0
124.3
125.2
121.1
122.9

124.1
123.0
121.2
118.7
121.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

August
1958

May
1958

August
1957

Tear
1939

m
1958

125.1
124.0
120.4
126.3
121.2

125.0
123.7
120.7
126.1
121.3

122.8
122.1
117.8
123.7
119.1

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

July
1957

Tear
1939

- -- 123.7

0.1

2.2

108.2

.1
.5
0
0
•4

2.3
.6
3.3
2.0
1.5

116.6
109.7
107.3
101.5
108.4

August
1957

Tear
1939

.1
.2
.2
.2
.1

1.9
1.6
2.2
2.1
1.8

111.3
108.4
105.8
113.3
100.7

April
1958

July
1957

Tear
1939

Cities priced monthly ij
Chicago
••• •
•
• ••••• — — - Detroit
• • Los Angeles- ••••••
—
Hev York-' ••
• •• ••»•••••• '
Philadelphia

—

126.9
123.7
125.2
• ••• 121.1
123.4

Cities prioed in February, tfcy,
August, Hoveaber 2/
Cleveland
Seattle-

•

...

—

Cities prised in January, April,
July, October 2/
Kansas City" -

•

Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

July
1958

—
<

—

••• —

-••——•

Cities prioed in March, June,
September, Deoeaber
Atlanta
Baltimore— • - — •
CincinnatiSt* Louis--- —

•
••

••••

••

H..--—.-

April
1958

-

-

125.4
124.8
124.9
124.7
124.7

124.5
123.7
124.1
123.8
125.0

122.1
121.7
121.6
120.7
122.2

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

-

.7
.9
.6
.7
.2

2.7
2.5
2.7
3.3
2.0

105.6
102.3
105.8
114*6
113.9

June
1958

March
1958

June
1957

Tear
1939

March
1958

June
1957

Tear
1939

124.9
124.8
122.7
124.5
128.0

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5
126.7

121.2
121.2
119.7
121.3
122.8

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

0
.6
.3
0
1.0

3.1
3.0
2.5
2.6
4.2

114.2
115.5
110.1
109.9
118.4

1/ Rents prioed blaoutUy.
2/ Food*, fuels, and a few other iteas prioed Monthly; rent* and other ou—uditiea and cervices prioed quarterly*

TABIC 3« Consumer Prioe Index—Percent change* froai July 1958 to Angust 1958
U*3. city average and five cities prioed monthly
All iteas and oanodity groups

City

All
iteas

Food

United States eity a v e r a g e —

- 0.2

- 0.8

0.2

-

- 2.1
- 1.9
- .9
- .6
- .3

.3
.1
.3
.2
.2

Detroit
Fhiladelphia




.5
.5
.2
0
.1

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

Msdioal
care

Reeding
Personal
aid
care recreation

- 0.1

0.5

0.3

0

0.1

-

.8
1.8
•4
.5
.7

0
.6
.1
.2
0

0.2
.1
.2
- .2
0

- .1
- 3.5
.1
•2
0

-

.7
.2
.6
.3

•1

Other
goods &
serviees
- 0.1
-

.1
.2
.1
0
.2

TABIZ M: Consumer Price Index — All Items and commodity groups
August 1958 indexes and percent ahang»s, May 1958 to August 1958
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in August 1958
U.S.
CleveCity
Los
Average Chicago land
Detroit Houston Angeles

Group

PhilaUashingt
delphia Sorantoi . Seattle D . C .

New
Tork

Indexes (19*7-49.100)
123.7

126.9

125.1

123.7

124.0

-•125.2

121.1

123.4

120.4

126.3

121.2

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

120.7
119.2
132.9
117.7
113.0
124.9
112.8

117.0
114.7
123.5
110.8
112.2
117.6
116.5

118.2
116.4
129.6
112.5
110.6
119.0
115.4

120.5
118.7
125.8
113.9
111.4
129.4
113.5

117.1
115.6
125.8
112.8
112.6
123.4
108.7

122.7
119.0
141.1
118.1
109.3
120.2
113.1

121.0
119.0
137.7
116.7
116.0
121.7
111.7

124.3
122.2
134.2
118.6
118.7
133.2
111.7

118.6
118.5
135.2
118.6
110.5
120.2
110.9

122.7
121.9
146.4
119.8
115.5
124.1
113.9

122.4
120.9
131.2
117.3
118.3
127.6
114.1

lousing —
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishlngs — —

127.9
138.1
117.5
133.6
103.3
132.1

138.1

127.6
147.2
118.2
125.7
107.9
122.3

129.8
139.3
116.1

135.1

99.1
142.3

99.9
120.0

124.4
127.6
115.9
138.0
103.0
131.5

121.0

128.3
139.7
100.9
136.1

131.2
159.4
115.4
136.1
101.2
118.9

103.4
129.1
108.6
134.9

122.1
129.6
117.7
139.9
101.0
116.8

128.8
145.4
86.7
137.8
102.3
137.0

120.1
127.4
124.5
139.0
99.0
131.4

106.6
108.3
98.5
130.0
91.9

109.4
115.1
97.6
134.1
95.9

108.8
113.3
99.6
128.5
94.7

103.3
108.3
92.6
126.1
85.0

111.0
106.6
106.4
137.7
90.9

107.2
111.2
97.7
131.4
84.6

105.9 103.8
107.9 108.9
96.8 93.0
131.5 129.1
95.9 92.0

109.2
110.4
102.0
134.1
91.8

108.7 103.5
111.9 107.0
100.4 96.7
132.3 122.8
87.3 87.4

141.0
189.5
130.1

150.0
195.6
131.7

136.4
180.5
126.9

134*3
155.6
130.1

141.3
188.0
134.6

137.0
162.1
132.7

140.1 146.4
190.2 188.1
120.7 126.5

141.2
191.3
127.5

145.6
180.1
134.3

139.7
158.4
133.6

145.0
128.9
116.7
127.1

150.6
129.9
124.3
121.3

152.8
127.4
122.8
127.5

152.3
134.1
113.5
136.1

132.2
134.6
116.7
128.4

137.6
132.8
101.7
123.9

131.0
122.9
118.9
126.4

148.6
134.5
118.8
128.5

127.5
128.6
143.0
119.6

148.2
133.0
118.7
135.7

140.2
123.7
117.6
136.0

All items

—
— —
—

Men's and boys'
—
Women's and girls' — —
Other apparel

— — —

Public
Private

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services —

_

—

131.5

—

—.

—

1
Percent change from
All items
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products - - - - - — — — - - Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
R«nt
Gas and electricity —
Solid feels and fuel oil
Housefurnlsklngs
Household operation

—

Apparel
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear —

11.9
4.5
- 1.5
.7

-

-

Transportation
Public
Private

—

Medical care
Personal care
Other goods and services

— —

-

.9
.6

0
3.0
.1
2.2

.2
•4
0
3.2
- .5
1.0

-

.2
1.3

.1
.6
.4
1.8
- 1.2
.7

.2 - .4
.6
.2
0
.1
0
4.8
.9 - 1.5
.7
.4

.4
0
.8
.2
.4

- .7
- .5
- 1.2
.3
- .3

.4
.1
1.0
.5
- .6
.7

-

2/

-

.2
.1
.1

.2
—

-

—

-

.3
—>

0

2/
-

.4
—

.4
.8
1.2
.5
.2

-

.3
.3
.7
.6
.4

.2
.6
•4
1.4
- .1

- .4
- 1.0
- .6
.7
- .1

- .9
- 1.7
- 1.1
.5
- .7

1.7
1.8
1.6

1.0
0
1.3

.4
4*8
- .4

3.1
0
3.9

2.7
0
3.1

1.9
0
2.2

.7
0
.9

1.5
0
2.0

.9
.3
.1
.1

0
.5
- 1.2
- .5

.1
.5
.4
.1

.7
.3
.2
.1

.4
.3
.7

.2
1.2
1.5

3.6
0
0

.1
.6
.1
.2
.2

1/ Hot available.
2/ Changs from June 1958 to August 1958*




-

.1 - .8
.6 - 1.1
3.2 - .8
.8
2.2
.1
.4
a/) - 7.9
3.2
1.5

-

.4
.3
0
2.9
- .6
.7

—

-

- 1.0
- 1.3
- .4
2.3
.3
-10.6
.9

.7

.1
.4
.9
1.5
- .7
.9

- 1.6
- 1.7
0
.7
0
-12.7
1.9

.1
.2
.6
1.9
.4
- 3.2
- .7

.3
.4
.3
.7
2.6
-6.4
1.3

-

- 0.7
.2
0
- 1.2
0 - .2
- .3
1.3
2.8
3.5
- 9.7 - 5.9
1.6
1.3

- 2.8
-3.1
.1
- .3
2.0
-15.6
- .3

- 1.3
- 1.5
- .8
1.2
1.0
-10.2
.2

- .7
- 1.1
.1
.9
1.1
- 9.1
1.2

August 1958
- 0.2

0

- 0.5

- 0.1

to

0.4

0.2

0.1

0.1

)toy 1958

-

-

-

.3
.4
1.0
.2

-

-

-

-

.4
.1
.7
0
0

0.2 - 0.1

-

.2
.3 .1
.8
0 -

.3
.4
.8
.2
.2

.5
0
.6

2.5
0
2.9

1.2
0
1.4

1.0
.2
4.3

1.1
.1
- .8

2.5
0
.1

TABIC 5: C o a i w r Price Indue ~ Food and its subgroups
August 1959 Indexes and percent changes. July 1958 to August 1958
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
Total
food at hone

Total food
City

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Index

Cereals and
bakery products
Index

U.S. city average

120.7

-

0.8

119.2

-

1.1

132.9

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
—
Chicago
—
Cincinnati
Cleveland —
Detroit
Houston
—
Bansas city
Los Angeles

118.5
122.1
121.2
117.0

-

.5
.6
.6
2.1
.6

-

1.9
.7
l.l*
.9

118.1
119.7
119.1*
llli.7
121.8
116.1*
118.7
115.6
111.1
119.0

-

.5
.7
.7
2.5
1.1
.7
2.1
.6
1.5

126.6
128.1
133.1
123.5
132.0
129.6
125.8
125.8
127.5
1U1.1

-

.2

118.1
119.0
122.2
120.7
120.3
117.U

-

.5
.9
- oli
- 1.9
.2
- 1.9
-1.5

137.7
137.7
131.2
130.6
135.7
12U.9
11*7.0
135.2
U*6.1*
131.2

— —
— —
— —
— — —
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

Minneapolis
— — —
lew York
— —
fhlladelphia —
Pittsburgh
Portland, Qreg.
—
St. Louis
— —
flan Francisco — — —
Bcranton —
— —
Seattle —
Washington, D.C. — —

123.5
118.2
120.5
117.1
113.3
122.7

- .6

119.1*
121.0
12l*.3
121.7
121.5
121.3
122.5
118.6
122.7
122.1*

- .6
-

.3
1.7

-

1.5
1.3

.1

.-1.8

.1*

- .8

ia.o

118.5
121.9
120.9

- 1.2

- 2.0
.1
- 1.1

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Percent
change

Index

-

Index

Fruits and
vegetables

Percent
change

Percent
change

Index

Other
foods at hoM
Index

Percent
change

0

117.7

-

1.3

113.0

0.5

12U.9

-

5.3

112.8

0.9

.2
.2
1.1
.3
0
.2
.2
.3
.1
0

120.9
116.6
116.7
110.8
120.U
112.5
113.9
112.8
11U.3
118.1

- 1.1
- 1.0
-1.5
-l.l*

11U.1
117.5
113.0
112.2
116.2
110.6
1U.U
112.6
91.8

.3
.1
2.3
.1*
.1
2.6
2.1
.1
.9
.3

128.0
128.7
130.1
117.6
129.1*
119.0
129.1*
123.1*
115.5

105.!*
112.6
108.6
116.5
116.8
115.1*
113.5
108.7
105.8
113.1

6
.6

120.2

- 1.5
- 2.1*
- 1*.3
-10.8
- bob
- 1*.3
-10.9
- 1.1*
- 5.9
- 7.6

.1
1.1
.1*
.1*
*2
.2
1.8

2.7
0

112.1
116.7
118.6
116.8

-

1.8
1.3
1.7

115.2
120.6
118.6

-

2.0
1.2
2.1

-

1.2

119.8
111.7
111.7
121.8
117.3
119.9
113.0
110.9
113.9
lll*.l

.8
1.3
1.5
.1
2.1
.1
1.2
1.1
3.1
1.2

- .2
-

Percent
change

Dairy
products

.3

.1 120.5
.b

.1

0
3.1

- .1

119.8
117.3

- 1.6
- 1.0

-

l.l*
l.l
l.l

- .1

- .2

- .2

109.3
10ii.2
116.0
118.7

llU.O

117.2
103.3
113.7
110.5
115.5
118.3

-

-

.1
1.0
.3

- .1

.2
-1.7
.2

- .1
.1

-

128.0

-

121.7
133.2
125.2
115.8
125.7
121.2
120.2

-1.6
- 7.5
- 1*.3
- 5.1
- 7.3

12i*.l

-

127.6

.3

5.7

- U.O

- 8.8
5.8

- 1*.6

•k

TABUS 6: Consumer Price Index -- Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average
Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products;
Flour, wheat — — — — — — — —
Biscuit aix — — — — — — —
Corn asal —
—
—
—
—

s lb.
20 oz.
ib.

Boiled oats — — — — — —
18 oz.
Corn flakes — — — — — — — — 12 oz.
Bread, white —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — —
7 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak » - — — — — — —
ib.
Chuck roast — — — — — —
ib.
Rib roast — — — — — — —
ib.
Hamburger — — — — — —
ib.
Veal cutlets — — — — — —
ib.
Pork chops, center cut — — — — — ib.
Bacon, sliced — — — — — — — — ib.
Bui, whole —
—
—
—
ib.
Laab, leg — — — — — — —
ib.
Frankfurters —
—
—
—
ib.
Luncheon seat, canned — —
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib.
Ocean porch, fillet, frozen —
ib.
Haddock, fillet, frozen — — —
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned —
—
ia oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — — — etoDi oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) — — —
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice creaa — — — — — — —
pt.
Cheese, American process — —
ib.
Milk, evaporated —
—
144-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries —
—
—
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — e oz.
Peas, green — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green —
—
9 o«.
Fresh:
Oranges, size 200 — — — — — —
Leaons —
—
—
—
—

Grapefruit *

* Priced only in season.
1/ Hot available.




doz.
ib.

«aoh

Aug*

July

1958

1958

Cents

29.2

Cents
3
#
26.8
12.8
18.U
20.3
25.5
19.2
29.2

2U.5

2U.5

55.0

26.8

12.9

18.6
20.3

25.5
19.3

„ 10lu0
62.7
81.7
53.9

131*. 2
9U.6
86.ii
68.9

76.8

67.1

50.8

1*6.5

1*6.0
55.0
63.1*
33.1

Toaatoes —«*

U8.9
1*6.3
5U.7
63.3
32.9

26.li
28.8

19.6
23.2

(1/)
1V.1
80.3

17.8

29.6

73.5
57.9
15.1

26.5
28.5
19.5
23.2
16.6
80.1

17.9

head

Lettuce

50.U

2b.8

—
n>.
— - p t.
—
ib.
— — ib.
10 ib.
—
ib.
ib,
— ib.

Celery — — — — — — — - — ib.
Cabbage — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes —
—
—
—
—
ib.
deans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — —
46-oz. can
Peaches — — —
#24 can
Pineapple — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail — — —
#303 can
Corn, creaa style — —
#303 can
Peas, green — — — — —
#303 can

106.3
65.1
83.0
51*.8
133.8
96.9
85.1
69.2
77.9
66.8

23.5

1958

Fresh
Continued
Peaches • — — — — —
Strawberries •
Grapes, seedless * — —
Watermelons • — ^ — — — —
Potatoes —
—
—
—
Sweet potatoes — — — —
Onions — — — — —
Carrots
—

—

Baby foods — — — - —
Dried:
Prunes — — — — —
Beans — — — — —
Other foods at hens:
TasatO SOUp

23.7
25.1
29.7
73.5
57.8
15.1

Aug.

Food and unit

#303 can

—

44 to 8 oz.

Cents

THT1S
2U.5
3.1*
59.1

18.8
9.1*
15.2
lb. 8
1U.3
7.0
19.1*

17.0
1*1.7
33.9

3l*.8
26.3
17.7

21.1
17.6
10.1

ib.
ib.

33.1*
19.0

to l l - o z . can

12.5
15.1
27.1

—
—

—
—

Beans with pork — — —
16-oz. can
Pickles, sweet — — — —
74 oz.
1 Catsup, tana to — — — — —
14 oz.
1 Coffee
—
lb. oan
[ Coffee —
lb. b
I Tea bags — — — — — pkg. of 16
A Cola drink, carton — — — — 36 oz.
| Shortening, hydrogenated — —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — —
ib.
lard — — — — — — —
ib.
Salad dressing — — — — — —
.
pt
I Peanut butter — — — — — —
ib.
|

Corn syrup — — — — — — — — 24 oz.
Grape Jelly — — — — —
12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — —
1 0 z.
Eggs, Grade A , large — — — doz.
Gelatin, flavored — — —
3 to 4 oz.

2241

89.6
73.0

2h.O
27.9
93.9
29.1
22.9
37.9

56.6

56.9

?6.0

27.8

5.2

60.9
9.0

Labor D.C. - BLS59-711

7

Brtef W f t r a r t i w 9f the gfT

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average changes in prices of goods
and services typically 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 price 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 in 46 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 which wage-earner
and clerical-worker families patronize.
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 f months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price 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:
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

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
w
Price Indexs A Layman's Guide, 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 11index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical Series. Reprints of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at arsy 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 1947 to date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
50 Seventh St., NE
Zobs 23




New York
341 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St.
Zone 11

LABOR - D. C.

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10




Digest of One Hundred
Under

Collective

Selected

Bargaining,

Pension

Winter

Plans

1957-58

T h i s bulletin ( N o . 1232) presents the principal features of one hundred pension plans in
e f f e c t during the winter 1957-58. These features, which are summarized in a form suitable for
quick reference, include:

•

Participation

requirements

•

Normal, early, and disability

•

Benefit

•

Compulsory and automatic

*

Vesting

•

Survivor options and death

•

Plan

•

Financing

retirement

amounts
retirement

benefits

administration

An article entitled "Characteristics of Pension P l a n s " analyzing the principal provisions
of the plans appears in the August issue of the Monthly Labor R e v i e w .

S e n d order ( a c c o m p a n i e d b y check or m o n e y order) to the Superintendent of Documents, W a s h i n g t o n 2 5 , D . C . ,
or to a n y of the following Bureau of L a b o r Statistics regional offices:
341 9th A v e .
N e w York 1, N . Y„

1 8 O l i v e r St.
Boston 1 0 , M a s s .

1 0 5 W e s t A d a m s St.
C h i c a g o 3 , III.

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Price/ 4 5 cents a copy

ORDER FORM
Enclosed find $

(check or money order).

P l e a s e send me

BLS Bull. 1232, Digest of One Hundred Selected Pension Plans Under C o l l e c t i v e
Winter 1957-58, 45 cents a copy.

Street Address
City, Zone, and State




OF

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(Twenty-five percent discount on orders of 100 copies or more.)

Name

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
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copies of

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