Full text of CPI Detailed Report : August 1968

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price index

i
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES: COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
'(Seasonally Adjusted)
1957-59=100

1957-59=100
140

140

135

R E L A T I V E IMPORTANCE
A L L fTEMS INDEX (as of Dec. 1967)

135

ALI SERVICES

130

-

35.28".

FOOD

22.54"

NONDURABl ES LESS FOOD _

24.54"

DURABLE COMMODITIES

1 /.64'

130

/=

125

125
120
120

\ 00D*

*

ALL SE RVICES-

115

115

-ALL ITE MS
ITIu

110

110

~pzz

105

^ ^

100

^ "

A

105

VOURAE !LES #
NONDU RABLES LESS F0(ID*

100
95

95

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU




OF

LABOR

STATISTICS

Latest

Data:

August 1968

Released September 26, 1968

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, D. C. 20212
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST 1968

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in August, to 121.9 (1957-59=100).
This rise was less than the 0.5 percent increases for each of the preceding 2 months, and
about equal to the average for earlier months this year. The August increase resulted
mainly from continuing advances in service charges and contraseasonally higher prices for
nondurable commodities. The slowdown in the rise from the previous 2 months is attributable primarily to the decreased rate of advance for household services, medical care
services, and durable goods. The index has risen 4.3 percent over the past year.
Since August 1967, service charges have accounted for nearly half of the increase
in consumer prices, particularly those associated with housing. Food prices have been
responsible for less than one-fifth of the index advance. The all-items index has gone up
3.1 percent since the beginning of the year, compared with a rise of 1.9 percent during the
first 8 months of 1967.
Services
Service charges went up 0.4 percent in August, a much slower increase than the
0.7 percent recorded in both June and July. Most service charge increases dropped off
substantially from the previous 2 months, particularly mortgage interest rates. Nevertheless, services average more than 5% percent higher than a year ago.
Although mortgage interest charges continued to rise, mainly as the result of a
higher legal limit on interest rates in New York, the rate of advance was significantly
slower than in June or July. Other service charges connected with the ownership and
maintenance of a home also increased at slower rates. Residential property taxes and
insurance rose 0.6 percent in August compared with 0.8 percent in both of the preceding 2
months. Increased union wage rates in the building trades during the second quarter of this
year were reflected in the upward movement in the costs of home maintenance and repairs,
particularly for painting, plumbing, and heating services; the sharpest increase, 1 percent,
was recorded in June, nearly twice that for August. Meanwhile, house and apartment rents
continued to advance at the highest rate in nearly 14 years.
Medical care services rose 0.3 percent, and resumed their relatively slower rate
of increase after a sharp spurt in July. Increases for hospital services and related
charges were a third of their July rate. Professional medical and dental fees continued
their steady uptrend.
Both recreational and transportation service charges were higher in August, but
the rate of increase over July was more rapid for the former, and was cut in half for the
latter. Higher admission charges at drive-in movies were one of the major factors in the
0.6 percent advance in recreational service costs, and piano lessons cost more as teachers1
salaries were increased. Rising costs of parts and labor resulted in increased auto repair
service charges.
Nondurables less food
Nondurables other than food rose contraseasonally in August largely because of
higher prices for apparel and gasoline. The increase accounted for nearly 30 percent of
the total advance in the August price level. Apparel prices advanced 0.5 percent; men's and
boys1 clothing were up sharply to a level nearly 6 percent higher than in August 1967.
Advancing wholesale prices for wool fabrics and higher costs at all levels were reflected




in the higher prices for men's tailored clothing, especially suits. Footwear prices jumped
0.8 percent on the basis of continued strong demand and retailers' anticipation of further
wholesale price increases.
In contrast, women's and girls' apparel prices rose only fractionally as acrossthe-board increases in most year-round items such as dresses, and lingerie and foundation
garments just barely offset sharp reductions in warm weather seasonal items such as bathing
suits, women's cotton dresses and shorts. Brisk demand for girls' back-to-school apparel
enabled retailers to charge substantially higher prices than last season.
Widespread price increases were reported for gasoline despite a drop in refinery
prices. Prices of soaps and detergents, primarily solid detergents, rose sharply. Toilet
goods prices also advanced, and cigarettes cost more because of higher state and local sales
taxes. On the other hand, textile housefurnishings dropped seasonally because of traditional August "white sales."
Food
Although they have declined in August in 7 of the last 11 years, food prices went
up this year for the third year in a row. The increase averaged 0.4 percent and accounted
for one quarter of this month's rise in the overall index, twice the rate for June, but less
than the July rate. Strong demand and short supplies forced many prices up contraseasonally
and held others at higher levels than usual. August marked the ninth consecutive monthly
rise in food prices; food prices were nearly 3% percent higher than August 1967 levels.
Despite increases in production, prices of meat and poultry moved up more than expected, due
to lower cold storage holdings and some widening of retail margins. Frying chicken and hamburger prices rose contraseasonally; pork products, although advancing less than expected,
nevertheless contributed significantly to the over-the-month rise. Egg prices, up 11.5 percent, nearly twice the July increase, advanced more than usual when hot weather affected the
quantity and quality of available supplies. Most cereals and bakery products (except flour)
cost more, due to increased labor and packaging materials costs; ice cream prices rose
sharply because sales promotions ended in many cities and fresh milk averaged higher in
response to the seasonal contraction in supplies.
On the average, fresh fruit and vegetable prices declined 5.1 percent, almost 3
percent less than their usual seasonal drop. Fresh vegetables showed more-than-seasonal
declines, but apple prices rose contraseasonally, as supplies diminished due to the small
summer crop in Eastern and Midwestern areas. Oranges advanced sharply, as a result of
a nearly 50 percent drop in marketable supplies compared with last year, and short supplies
brought less than seasonal price reductions for tomatoes and watermelon.
Durables
Lower prices for new cars (down 0.7 percent) held the August rise in durable goods
to a modest 0.1 percent as the rate of price increases tapered off for most other durables.
Appliances prices edged up again in August, at half of the July rate, in the wake
of widespread factory price increases. Particularly strong demand was reported for air
conditioners during the hot weather, but prices were firm for most other large appliances
(except refrigerator-freezers) despite a slowdown in sales.
Continuing shortages of skilled labor in the industry helped push furniture prices
slightly higher to equal the July rise, despite scattered August sales. Furniture prices
were 5% percent higher than August 1967 levels, as production costs continue their upturn.




Cost-of-Living Adjustments
About 100,000 workers will receive pay increases based on the August Consumer
Price Index. For approximately 80,000 employees in aerospace industries the advances will
range from 1 to 4 cents an hour as a result of changes in the national index over varying
periods of time. Other increases based on the national or various city indexes will range
up to 8 cents an hour.
Preliminary Report on Prices of New Passenger Cars
Suggested retail prices of 1969 models of U.S.-made passenger cars averaged
approximately $40, or 1.2 percent, higher than prices of comparable 1968 models after allowance for net quality improvements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in consultation with
other agencies, arrived at this figure after a detailed evaluation of all significant
changes made in the 1969 models, including reductions in warranties. Final results of the
evaluation will be reflected in the official price indexes for October, to be reported late
in November.
For new cars, as for all other products, the Bureau of Labor Statistic allows for
changes in quality (both improvement and deterioration) before determining the amount of
actual change in prices. Quality in an automobile is measured for safety, reliability,
performance, durability, economy of operation, carrying capacity, maneuverability, comfort,
and convenience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics makes no allowance for style or changes in
appearance designed solely to make the car look new or different, although these attributes
may appeal to many customers. If improvements in the quality of a product are equal to the
increase in quoted prices, the official price indexes would show no change.
Suggested retail prices of 1969 models of new passenger cars, including popular
optional equipment, actually were raised an average of $41 over comparable 1968 models. This
average does not reflect the somewhat larger increases on stationwagons or the higher-priced
n
top-of-the-lineM and special cars. It is confined to medium-and lower-'priced cars representing about two-thirds of total automobile sales. The average also includes changes in
prices of popular optional equipment. Some prices of optional items were actually reduced
and most others were raised less than on basic cars.
The Bureau has found that $24 of the $41 increase can be accounted for by net
quality improvements in the new models. However, nearly all of this allowance is balanced
off by a reduction in general warranties valued by the Bureau at $23. After adjustment for
these offsetting changes, the adjusted price increase works out to $40.
A breakdown of the quality changes shows $4 for changes made in response to new or
modified Federal Safety Standards. This amount includes several changes required on all cars
produced and sold after January 1, 1969, such as improved defrosters, windshield wipers, and
side marker lights. It does not include head restraints, which are optional at extra cost
on most models until January 1.
A second class of improvements on 1969
in anticipation of future requirements, or deemed
purposes, even though not required by any present
value of such changes is $10. Included are items
tural changes designed to protect passengers from
brakes.

models involves other safety changes made
by manufacturers to be desirable for safety
or contemplated standard. The average
such as improved theft protection, strucinjury in a collision, and more reliable

Finally, 1969 models contain other significant changes aside from safety features.
A balancing of both improvements and deterioration in non-safety quality features this year
results in a net improvement. The value of net improvements, outside of those related to
safety, is found to be $10. It includes changes such as engine improvements for greater
reliability and durability, better ventilation systems, and more durable interior trim.




A significant loss in value to consumers is the reduction in general warranties
on 1969 models. On 1968 models, general warranties extended to 24 months or 24,000 miles,
but they have been reduced to 12 months or 12,000 miles on 1969 models. This change is
valued at $23, and offsets quality improvements, in the Bureau's evaluation.
This evaluation is based on information for 15 models of new passenger cars
selected to represent all passenger cars, except luxury cars and station wagons, produced
in this country by U.S. manufacturers. Imported cars are excluded from this preliminary
evaluation, although they are represented in the official price indexes.
Detailed data supplied by automobile manufacturers and other sources on all
significant changes in 1969 models from comparable 1968 models, including their effects on
production costs, have been taken into account. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics has
consulted with the National Highway Safety Bureau of the U.S. Department of Transportation,
and other agencies, the Bureau is solely responsible for the results of its evaluation.




TABLE 1: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, August 1968
and percent changes from selected dates

All items

Indexes (1957-59=100)
August 1968
Unad- Seasonally
Unad- Seasonally
adjusted
adjusted
justed
justed
121.9
121.5

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

120.5
117.1
119.6
115.3
121.5
128.2
105.5
137.2

Housing
Shelter 1/

120.1
125.0
115.4

Group

Rent

•

Homeownership 2/
Fuel and utilities .3./
Fuel oil and coal 4/
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation •

Apparel and upkeep J>/ —
Men's and boys'

128.8
110.7
115.7
109.7
113.3

119.7
115.8
114.0
121.6
125.6
105.3

110.9
117.7

120.0
116.7
119.2
114.0
121.0
132.2
103.3
136.5
119.5
124.2
115.1
127.8
110.6
115.7
109.5
113.1

119.0
115.5

111.0
117.7

116.9

Percent change to August 1968 from—
May 1968
July 1968
August
Unad- Seasonally
Unad- Seasonally
1967
justed. adjusted
justed. adjusted
Unadjusted
0.3
4.3

116.6
113.9
118.4
113.1
116.6
122.7
102.6
130.3

.4
.3
.3
1.1
.4
- 3.0
2.1
.5

114.7
118.4
112.6
120.8
109.1
111.7
108.5
108.3

.5
.6
.3
.8
.1
0
.2
.2

August
1967
Unadjusted

120.3
121.2
115.8
133.0

121.0
121.7
116.5
133.3

119.7
120.1
115.7
132.0

120.3
120.7
116.4
132.5

113.8
114.5
108.8
126.0

Transportation
Private
Public

120.0
117.7
138.6

120.0
117.7

119.8
117.6
138.5

119.6
117.4

116.4
114.4
132.8

.2
.1
.1

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services 6J

130.5
145.5
120.9
126.3
124.2

130.2
145.1
120.4
125.9
123.9

124.2
137.5
116.1
120.0
118.8

.2
.3
.4
.3
.2

All items less shelter
All items less food
All items less medical care
Commodities ]_/
Nondurables
Durables 7/ %J
Services 9/

121.2
122.6
120.5
115.9
119.2
107.7
135.5

120.8
122.1
120.1
115.5
118.7
107.6
134.9

116.5
117.1
115.6
111.9
114.8
104.7
128.2

Commodities less food TJ
•
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel New cars
Used cars
Household durables _U/
Housefurnishings

113.5
118.1
119.5
116.8
117.3
99.1
(10/)
101.6
104.9

Services less rent 9/
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services 12/ —

140.0
136.7
133.6
157.1
139.7

139.3
135.6
133.5
156.6
139.2

131.7
127.5
128.8
146.7
131.9

149.6
251.8

149.1
250.9

143.4
241.4

$0,823
.671
.399

$0,855
.697
.414

Women's and girls'
Footwear

.6
.3
.5
.1
1.8
.7

1.4
1.3
1.0
2.0
1.1
1.9
3.5
1.6
2.0
2.8
.7
3.6
.4
.3
.2
.7
.7
1.2
.3
1.4

-

.3
.4

-

.7
.6
- 2.6
2.2

.5
1.5

1.4
1.7
.3
1.7

.3
.3

3.3
2.8
1.0
1.9
4.2
4.5
2.8
5.3
4.7
5.6
2.5
6.6
1.5
3.6
1.1
4.6
5.7
5.9
6.4
5.6

.9

3.1
2.9
4.4

1.0
1.0
1.1
.8
1.3

5.1
5.8
4.1
5.3
4.5

1.0
1.3
1.3
1.0
1.2
.7
1.9

4.0
4.7
4.2
3.6
3.8
2.9
5.7

Special groups:

All items index on other bases:
1947-49=100
1939=100

-

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
1957-59=$l.OO
$0,820
1947-49=$1.00
.668
1939=$1.00
.397

1/
2/

2/

1/
i/
1/
1/
2/
JL2/

115.8
119.0
107.8
113.7
118.5
120.3
117.7
100.4
U0/)
105.2

113.2
117.6
118.9
116.3
116.9
99.8
(10/)
101.5
104.8

115.3
118.3
107.6
113.3
117.8
119.5
116.9
100.6

U0/)

109.4
113.2
112.7
110.0
113.4
96.9
125.2
98.2
100.8

.4
.6
.7
.7
- .2
O0/>
.3

.9
.9
.7
.5
1.1
- 1.2

U0/)

- .1
(10/)

.5

1.0

2.1
3.5
.5
1.4
1.0

- 1.3

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes telephone, w; iter, and sewerage service not shown separately.
Called "Solid and petroleui fuels" prior to 1964.
Also includes infants' wea , sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.
Includes tobacco, alcoholi beverages, and funeral, legal, and bank service charges,
Includes home purchase cos s which were classified under services prior to 1964.
Also includes auto parts, toys, and recreational goods not shown separately.
Excludes home purchase costs which were classified under this heading prior to 1964.
Not available due to insufficient data.
Called "Durables less cars" prior to 1964.
Includes the services components of apparel, personal care, reading and recreation, and other goods and services




1.1
1.4
1.5
1.5

3.7
4.3
6.0
6.2
3.4
2.3
(10/)
3.5
4.1
6.3
7.2
3.7
7.1
5.9

- 4.1

TABLE 2: Consumer Price Index—The United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, All Items
Most recent index and percent changes from selected dates

Indexes
Pricing
Schedule 2/

Area 1/

1957-59=100

1947-49=100

Percent change from:

Other
bases

July
1968

August 1968

May
1968

August
1967

U.S. City Average

121.9

149.6

0.3

1.3

4.3

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles-Long Beach
New York --Philadelphia

119.3
120.6
122.8
125.2
123.0

150.5
148.6
153.1
150.9
151.0

.3
.2
.4
.8
.3

1.3
1.4
1.6
1.9
1.2

4.2
4.6
3.8
4.9
4.8

April
1968

July
1967

—

July 1968

124.7
119.3
121.8
120.0

Boston
Houston
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Pittsburgh

0.9
1.1
1.2
.5

154.5
147.0
150.7
147.9

May
1968

August 1968

115.7

Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) —
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) --Milwaukee
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
Seattle
Washington

120.0

149.0

117.4

148.1

123.2
123.1

154.8
148.2

113.7
110.0

June 1968

Atlanta Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Kansas City
St. Louis

San Francisco-Oakland

-

—
-

119.0
120.6
118.6

147.4
149
144

124.1
121.3
124.2

153.6
150.6
157.6

111.5

4.0
4.4
5.4
4.3
August
1967

1.2
.8
.9
1.3
1.2
1.8
1.7

4.8
6.0
4.4
3.3
3.9
4.2
4.9

March
1968

June
1967

1.0
1.6
1.3
.6
2 0
.9
1.2

3.7
3.7
5.7
4.1
4.9

J7
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except
tor New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.
2/
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as
indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.
2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.




TABLE 3: Consumer Pric« Index—The United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Major Groups
Percent change from July 1968 to August 1968
Group
All items

—————————————

Chicago

Detroit

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.8

0.3

.4
.4
.2
.2
.3
1.0
0
.1

.3
.1
1.5
.3
.5
.2
0
1.4
.3

.2
.5
0
1.0
.3
.4
.3
.7
.2

.6
1.5
1.0
.2
.3
.1
.5
.5
0

.3
.6
.2
.3
.1
.3
.4
.1

.4
.5
.5
.2
.2
.3
.4
.3
.2

Food
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

Los AngelesLong Beach

U.S. City
Average

Philadelphia

New York

-

-

1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
2/ Not available.

TABLE 4: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
Major group indexes, selected dates
(1957-59*100)
Health and recreation
Date
All
items

Food

Housing

Apparel
and
upkeep

Transportation

Total

Medical
care

Personal
care

Reading
and
recreation

Other
goods
and
services

1968=

8*
July
June
May
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.

121.9
121.5
120.9
120.3
119.9
119.5
119.0
118.6

120.5
120.0
119.1
118.8
118.3
117.9
117.4
117.0

120.1
119.5
118.7
117.8
117.5
117.2
116.9
116.4

120.3
119.7
119.9
119.5
118.4
117.6
116.6
115.9

120.0
119.8
119.7
119.1
119.0
119.0
118.6
118.7

130.5
130.2
129.7
129.2
128.8
128.3
127.5
127.1

145.5
145.1
144.4
144.0
143.5
142.9
141.9
141.2

120.9
120.4
120.1
119.6
119.0
118.4
117.6
117.6

126.3
125.9
125.6
125.3
124.9
124.2
123.0
122.7

124.2
123.9
123.5
122.6
122.5
122.4
122.1
121.9

1967:

Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.

118.2
117.8
117.5
117.1
116.9

116.2
115.6
115.7
115.9
116.6

116.0
115.5
115.3
115.0
114.7

116.8
116.6
116.0
115.1
113.8

117.9
118.3
117.7
116.8
116.4

126.6
126.2
125.5
124.9
124.2

140.4
139.7
139.0
138.5
137.5

117.2
116.9
116.5
116.4
116.1

122.2
122.0
121.4
120.5
120.0

121.4
121.0
120.3
119.7
118.8

1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1957

116.3
113.1
109.9
108.1
106.7
105.4
98.0

115.2
114.2
108.8
106.4
105.1
103.6
97.8

114.3
111.1
108.5
107.2
106.0
104.8
98.5

114.0
109.6
106.8
105.7
104.8
103.6
99.5

115.9
112.7
111.1
109.3
107.8
107.2
96.5

123.8
119.0
115.6
113.6
111.4
109.4
97.0

136.7
127.7
122.3
119.4
117.0
114.2
95.5

115.5
112.2
109.9
109.2
107.9
106.5
97.1

120.1
117.1
115.2
114.1
111.5
109.6
96.9

118.2
114.9
111.4
108.8
107.1
105.3
98.5

Annual Average:

Au




TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Commodity Groups
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from May 1968

Group

U.S.
City
Average

Buffalo
(Nov.1963=100)

Chicago

Cleveland

Los AngelesLong Beach

Dallas
(Nov.1963=100)

Indexes (1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
All items

121.9

115.7

119.3

120.0

113.7

120.6

122.8

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

120.5
117.1
119.6
115.3
121.5
128.2
105.5
137.2

116.4
114.7
105.1
114.3
116.1
129.0
109.7
126.3

122.3
120.8
123.0
117.3
134.5
131.4
106.6
129.3

118.7
115.8
114.1
117.9
120.4
128.4
101.8
135.6

114.4
112.4
109.8
114.8
121.9
113.1
105.4
122.4

119.0
116.2
115.0
118.8
128.1
117.6
102.7
134.7

117.8
112.1
119.8
106.2
119.3
126.7
96.9
138.5

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

120.1
125.0
115.4
128.8
110.7
115.7
109.7
113.3

113.6
114.7
106.6
116.1
112.6
108.4
115.5
111.2

116.0
118.8

112.2
115.9
104.3
121.5
103.8

114.7
110.0

99.1
109.3

115.6
119.6
105.5
122.9
103.5
106.4
104.9
109.3

124.7
132.1

122.7
108.6
108.5
108.2
113.1

115.2
116.2
104.8
118.2
114.3

112.3
111.7

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys' —

120.3
121.2
115.8
133.0

122.3
121.3
124.5
127.6

115.1
114.9
109.5
129.3

119.1
124.2
110.8
134.2

113.7
117.3
112.9
112.7

118.8
118.6
116.8
130.2

119.7
122.8
118.5
129.0

Transportation
Private
Public

120.0
117.7
138.6

111.8
112.3
106.6

117.5
116.7
124.2

121.9
118.5
143.6

110.3
110.0
114.1

119.0
116.3
136.7

126.0
121.4
154.5

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

130.5
145.5
120.9
126.3
124.2

118.4
121.6
113.8
116.0
120.3

125.6
153.3
120.3
109.9
117.5

130.8
155.3
117.4
119.0
127.6

117.7
124.2
113.2
115.8
112.8

133.2
153.8
126.8
126.5
120.1

124.6
142.7
115.0
111.9
120.7

Women's and g i r l s '
Footwear

137.7
106.0

Percent changes May 1968 to August 1968
All items

1.3

1.2

0.8

0.9

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

1.4
1.3

2.9
2.8
1.7
3.9
1.1
2.9
3.4
2.8

2.5
2.4
1.9
3.3
1.0
1.3
3.1
2.8

.7
.6

1.1
1.9
3.5
1.6

1.4
1.2
.6
3.4
1.3
2.1
2.4

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

2.0
2.8
.7
3.6
.4
.3
.2
.7

1.2
1.1
.8
1.0
3.8
0
5.7

1.6
2.0

.3
.1
.4
.3
1.0

1.5
2.4
.9
3.1
.2

.1
.6

1.4
.5

.2
.5

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

.7
1.2
.3
1.4

1.4
2.4
1.1
2.6

.7

.6
2.8
1.0

1.3
1.5
.5
1.2

.7
2.1
.2

.5
.6
.1

.3
.4
.2

.9
.9
1.1

1.8
1.2
1.2
1.7
2.7

1.1
.5
2.5
.9
1.4

.5
1.0
2.7
.3
.1

Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
See footnotes at end of table.




1.0
1.0
1.1
.8
1.3

2.7
.6
•

•

•

1.6

2.0
2.0
3.0
2.8
2.6
1.9
2.9
2.0

.5

1.8
.3
4.9
3.9
1.2

.3

.4
.1
.1
1.1
.1

2/

2.2
3.3
.8
3.6
.2
0
.3
.6

.5
.1
3.0
.2
• 7.2
4.2
1.8
-

2.1
3.0
3.8
.1
.1
.4

1.5
0
1.8

.9
.4
.4
2.4

.2
.3
.6

2.6
.6

.6
.4
.6
.6
2.0

.7
1.1
.1
1.2
.2

2.6

TABLE 5:

Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas 1/

For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Commodity Groups
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from May 1968—Continued
Group

Milwaukee

New York

Philadelphia

San Diego
(Feb.1965=100)

Seattle

Washington

Indexes (1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
All items

117.4

125.2

123.0

110.0

123.2

123.1

Food
_. _
,
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

119,.8
118..1
109.,9
117..3
129.,7
129.,8
107. 1
130..2

121.5
116 .6
119 .4
115 .4
112 .4
133 .2
105 .1
142 .6

120.5
116 .0
115 .2
111.5
127 .3
129 .2
103 .2
144 .7

112.1

119,.8
114,.8
110,.5
114..7
125.,7
124..7
102..4
140.,8

123,.0
119,.3
112,.4
118..0
123..3
129.,8
112.,3
138.,3

114. 8
116. 4
107. 7
119. 3
111. 3
118. 4
101. 9
113. 0

124 .6
129 .0
125 .1
130.5
110.5
121 .4
110.9
121 .1

124,.2
109.6
122.,1
102..7
116..0

125.,0
135.,6
123. 1
138. 9
112. 6
109. 8

100..0
104..6

110. 5

119.,2
122. 8
119. 8
123. 1
104. 8
116. 1
102. 8
116. 4

116. 8
120. 3
111. 9
127. 8

124.8
130.2
118 .0
131 .6

125.,8
120..2
119.,8
138.,0

108..8
115.,9
104.,0
115.,2

118. 8
122. 6
114. 8
135. 3

127. 1
125. 2
124. 5
139. 4

Transportation
Private
Public

113. 4
112. 2
130. 0

120.8
119 .9
127 .3

128. 9
123. 5
155. 9

106.,8
106.,9
106. 0

121. 4
120. 7
128. 8

119. 9
118. 0
131. 7

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services

123. 2
138. 7
125. 3
119. 8
113. 7

136 .0
148 .9
116 .7
137,.6
131,.6

130. 6
154. 4
115. 3
120. 6
(3/)

110. 3
117. 1
104. 4
105. 6
112. 0

126. 2
140. 2
117. 8
117. 9
125. 9

132. 4
165. 4
119. 0
126.3
116. 1

I l O U S _LT_£

-_-—»-_•_._«-_._____-_____----_._»--_•--_-—-----.--__-•_•--_«-

on&JL L G I T

——•——»—————.______._•___- __—___. -_-_-—___•

Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys 1
Women's and girls'
r OOtW03.1T

»

-———-•-•—•———

109 .1
107 .5
116 .7
108 .5
106 .3
101 .7
120 .3

119 .6

110 .6

122,.5

115,.3
109,.2
117,.6

99,.5

97.9

Percent changes May 1968 to August 1968
All items

1.3

1.9

1.2

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

2.2
2.4
2.8
2.8
3.0
1.9
4.9
1.5

1.8
1.8
2.2
1.3
.7
1.0
4.2
1.4

1.0
.2
.5
.7
- 1.8
5.1
.6

1.5
2.2
.5
2.7
0
0
0

2.7
3.9
2/ .4
6.2
0
.2
.1
1.4

Shelter

— — — — — — — — — — —

Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
ro
Transportation —
Private
Public
-—
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1/
_2/
3/

See footnote 1, table 2.
Change from June 1968.
Not available.




.3
2.0
.9
.4

.7
2.4
• .6
.6

.3
.3
0
1.1
1.9
2.3
.9
.1

2.1
3.9
4.7
.1
• .

1.2

1.7

1.4
1.0
.5
2.4
2.7
5.9
3.9

1.9
2.0
.2
2.0
.1
1.6
4.6

2.4
4.1
1.3
5.1
• .1
0
0
.4

2.8
4.0
.6
6.2
1.6
.3
2.2
.1

.6
.3
2.5
.6
- 3.9
2.1
1.3
-

2.0
3.2
1.4
3.8
0

1

0
.3

1.7

0
• .

1

•

.3
2.7
1.2

1.6
2.7
1.0
2.0

.2
1.8
2.0
1.0

.6
2.7
.9
1.6

1.3
1.3
1.4

1.3
1.4
.2

.5
.5
1.0

1.7
1.9
.2

1.0
1.2
.1

2.0
2.3
.8
.9
3.2

1.6
3.1

.5
1.1
2.2
.4
1.1

1.6
1.6
1.9
1.2
1.9

.9
.4
.6
1.0

•

.5

(3/)

10

TABLE 6: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food and its Subgroups
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from July 1968

Food at home
Area 1/

Total
food

Cereals
Total

and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits

and
vegetables

Other
foods
at home

Food
away
from
home

Indexes (1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)

U.S.

City Average

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) —
Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

120.5

117.1

119.6

115.3

121.5

128.2

105.5

137.2

118.0
122.7
123.5
116.4
122.3
117.5
118.7
114.4
119.0
112.1
120.5
123.5
117.8
119.8
118.4
121.5
120.5
116.9
124.6
112.1
118.4
119.8
123.0

115.3
118.6
118.5
114.7
120.8
114.0
115.8
112.4
116,2
111.6
116.8
120.9
112.1
118.1
115.6
116.6
116.0
114.4
120.9
109.1
113.5
114.8
119.3

113.0
123.6
120.7
105.1
123.0
114.9
114.1
109.8
115,0
112,1
127.2
123.9
119.8
109.9
111.1
119.4
115.2
117.6
122.0
107.5
118.0
110.5
112.4

114.6
118.3
119.7
114.3
117.3
115.4
117.9
114.8
118.8
113.2
111.6
119.7
106.2
117.3
113.4
115.4
111.5
117.0
121.1
116.7
112.0
114.7
118.0

115.2
116.7
115.5
116.1
134.5
116.5
120.4
121.9
128.1
112.6
119.7
130.3
119.3
129.7
126.3
112.4
127.3
109.9
133.6
108.5
116.8
125.7
123.3

127.7
134.6
131.6
129.0
131.4
124.4
128.4
113.1
117.6
114.0
128.5
125.5
126.7
129.8
121.4
133.2
129.2
127.3
131.2
106.3
122.1
124.7
129.8

110.0
105.6
106.6
109.7
106.6
101.9
101.8
105.4
102.7
105.8
106.4
109.8
96.9
107.1
109.1
105.1
103.2
103.1
104.2
101.7
102.1
102.4
112.3

127.4
139.4
145.1
126.3
129.3
135.8
135.6
122.4
134.7
113.7
136.9
133.1
138.5
(2./)
131.0
142.6
144.7
132.8
138.9
(2/)
140.0
140.8
138.3

Percent changes July 1968 to August 1968
U.S.

City Average

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
—
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) -Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

V
2/

0.4

0.3

0.3

.7
.2
.6
.8
.1
1.2
.5
.3
.7
.5
.4
.2
1.1
.3
.6
.3
.5
.6
.3
.7
.8
1.2

.9
.9
.2
.6
.8
.1
1.1
,6
.3
1.0
.5
.6
.4
.9
.3
.6
.4
.5
.7
.1
1.3
.5
1.3

.4
.5
.3
.3
1.0
.9
,1
.4
2.5
.3
.4
.2
1.1
0
1.7
1.8
.1
.1
1.5
.5
.8
1.1
1.0

See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.




1.0
2.1
•

.3

1.7
1.1
1.1
1.8
1.5
.8
1.6
.4
1.4
1.5
2.0
.9
.6
.5
.5
1.1
1.6
.6
1.5
4.1

0.4

- 3.0

2.1

0.5

.9
.3
0
.4
.3
.1
.8
.3
2.4
.2
.1
2.4
0
.2
.2
.3
.1
.2
.1
0
.5
.2
1.7

-

2.8
1.3
2.1
1.3
1.8
1.9
2.3
2.1
1.0
1.9
2.9
1.9
1.6
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.4
.9
1.4
1.6
2.4

.2
0
.2
.5
.8
.1
1.6
.6
.7
0
.5
.2
.6

1.0
.7
.2
.4
.8
- 4.2
- .6
- 2.2
- 4.6
.8
- 2.1
- 4.0
- 6.3
- 1.8
- 4.1
- 2.3
- 1.6
- 1.3
- 1.6
- 4.7
-10.5
- 2.0
- 2.6

.2
.5
.2
0
.2
(2/)
1.4
1.7
.9

11

TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food Items
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)

Item or Group

Total food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks 1/
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products Flour
Cracker meal \J
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat 1/
Cookies
Layer cake JL/
Cinnamon rolls 1/
Meats, poultry, and fish

Meats
————————————
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin 2/
Steak, porterhouse 1/ Rump r o a s t JL/
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver If
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast 2j
Pork sausage JL/
Ham, whole
Picnics 1/ —
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops _V
Frankfurters
Ham, canned 1/
Bologna sausage 1/
Salami sausage JL/
Liverwurst _7
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts 1/
Turkey JL/
^
Pjgl,

_ _ ______________ _ ___ _

Shrimp, frozen JL/
Fish, fresh or frozen —
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned 1/
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery —
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim 1/
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process -

See footnotes at end of table.




Index
August 1968
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
120.5
137.2
137.5
118.6
117.1
119.6
111.7
117.1
128.8
110.8
125.6
115.6
100.9
109.9
108.2
115.3
117.9
118.8
113.4
113.6
118.6
109.0
126.2
110.5
121.5
107.9
143.4
117.8
123.4
130.1
126.7
111.4
117.7
116.3
120.3
129.6
118.2
114.7
120.5
115.7
117.3
93.6
95.3
104.2
97.8
124.3
108.7
125.9
111.7
122.1
121.5
119.5
124.6
118.6
121.4
99.2
140.4
116.8

119.7

115.8

114 .0
116 .3
118 .7
112 .6
—
126 .2
111 .1
121 .6
143.1
112.9
116.7

111.2
108.7
119.9
117.5

93.6

124.4
126.0

121.6
119.5

140.8
117.6

Percent change to August 1968 from—
August
July 1968
1967
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
Unadjusted
0.4
.5
.6
.3
.3
.3
.7
0
.3
.1
.7
.4
.1
.5
1.0
1.1
1.1
.9
1.2
2.3
2.1
.6
.1
.4
1.1
.6
.2
1.3
.3
1.8
2.8
2.3
1.7
.8
1.2
.3
2.8
1.7
1.4
1.1
.8
2.2
2.7
1.5
.9
.2
.3
.1
.7
.2
.4
.5
.2
.3
.3
1.4
.4
.1

0.6

.3

.5
.2
.7
.2

.2
1.0
1.3
.1
.9
1.8

1.1
2.9
.8

3.3
5.3
5.3
5.2
2.8
1.0
1.8
.3
.4
2.4
1.7
1.0
1.2
4.6
.7
1.9
1.6
4.1
4.0
5.2
5.4
2.5
5.2
3.9
4.0
1.4
6.5
2.2
1.4
.7
1.3
.4
2.1
6.9
1.4
3.9

1.6

3.5

.1
.1

.1
.1

.4
.1

1.3
3.9
5.9
3.1
4.7
2.4
1.3
1.0
1.5
8.1
4.2
5.1
5.4
5.8
3.4
.4
3.5
1.2

12

TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food Items
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)

Item or Group

Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables

Oranges
Orange juice, fresh 1/
Grapefruit
Grapes*
Strawberries 3/ ~ —
Watermelon
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus * 1/ 3/
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers 1/
Lettuce
Peppers, green JL/ —
Spinach 1/
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned 1/
Grapefruit-pineapple juice, canned 1/ —
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen 2J
Beets, canned 1/
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen 1/ — •
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils:
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian JL/
Salad or cooking oil 1/
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored 1/
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee, can and bag
Coffee, instant 5/
Tea
Cola drink
Carbonated fruit drink 1/
Prepared and partially prepared foods 1/
Bean soup, canned 1/
Chicken soup, canned 1/
Spaghetti, canned JL/
Mashed potatoes, instant 1/
Potatoes, french fried, frozen 2/
Baby foods, canned
Sweet pickle relish 1/
Pretzels 1/
1/
2/
2J
4/
5/

December 1963-100.
April 1960*100.
Priced only in season.
Not available.
July 1961=100.




Index
Augus 1968
Seasonally
adjusted
Unadjusted
128.2
138.3
204.8
94.6
157.4
86.8
187.0
144.1

(3/)
109.4
146.8
148.6
(3/)
131.8
117.9
110.4
115.3
117.8
142.2
104.0
106.
115.
109.
118.
95.
88.
87.
111.9
121.7
130.0
123.8
101.1
105.5
99.1
102.4
102.7
121.8
120.5
113.5
119.6
118.8
101.9
101.7
87.4
98.9
101.0
149.2
117.8
102.8
100.9
96.0
111.7
102.2
87.3
109.8
109.3
106.1

125.6
133.6
167.7
91.9
151.6
155.2
144.8
(3/)
132.6
134.2
131.5
(3/)
141.0
112.0
111.1

120.7
129.4

89.4

105.3
101.7

Percent change to August 1968 f r o m —
July 1 968
August
Seasonally
1967
Unadjusted
adjusted
Unadjusted

1.8
2.8
5.4
4.1
5.0

3.0
5.1
2.3
1.8
9.2
1.5
5.6
26.1
(3/)
.1
10.2
1.7

• 2.0
2.3

(2/)
18.1
10.9
6.7
(3/)
.7
.1

(1/)
7.6
.8
19.8
4.2
12.4
6.7
1.6
19.0
.3
.5
.1
.5
.1
1.3
.2
.3
.5
.1
.8
2.1
11.5
1.3
0
.2
1.9
.4
.5
6.1
0
.6
.3
.3
.2
1.2
2.3
.4
.5
.1
.1
.4
0
1.5
1.3
.3

- 16.4
5.3

-

2.0

.7
5.0

4.5
3.3
17.8
2.8
32.9
20.4
11.9
10.6
(3/)
8.6
4.0
4.3
(3/)
4.4
.2
7.6
17.9
7.6
2.6
2.2
20.2
6.3
9.0
20.2
.7
21.6
1.5
3.9
.2
4.0
8.7
1.1
2.8
7.4
.6
1.6
• 1.3
4.6
.8
2.1
12.5
2.3
2.6
.5
2.7
.2
7.0
8.2
1.7
.7
.2
1.7
.5
2.6
2.6
3.2
2.2

13

OLD SERIES

TABLE 8:

Consumer Price Index—Scranton, Pennsylvania
All items and commodity groups
August 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59-100)
Percent change from —
Index

Group

May 1968

All items (1947-49-100)
Food

— — ——— •- ———-.-.—.

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

Rent

—

—————————————

Gas and electricity
Solid and petroleum fuels
Housefurnishings

Apparel
Men's and boys1
Women's and girls*
Footwear
Other apparel
Transportation
Private

•

ruDiic — — — — — — — — — —

Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services




———

—

August 1967

123.8
147.7

2.0

4.3

120.2
117.5
120.9
120.4
118.4
120.9
107.1

2.1
2.4
.4
2.4
1.4
3.4
3.5

3.6
3.3
.8
1.7
5.5
5.8
3.7

117.4
114.5
105.8
106.7
107.2
120.9

2.7
.6
0
2.8
.7
- .1

4.3
1.7
1.0
5.0
6.8
1.9

122.6
124.2
119.6
133.9
108.3

1.3
2.1
.8
1.5
.6

5.6
4.1
6.1
7.3
4.6

116.2
113.2
134.6

.5
.5
0

2.6
2.7
1.0

152.4
131.0
167.1
129.6

2.6
.9
1.1
2.9

5.1
1.2
2.8
10.9

Tabla

9:

Percent Change in Prices for Selected Groups in the Consumer
Price Index anrt tb/c Wholesale Price Index
(Seasonally ad lasted except where indicated)

T

'juiv 196P~ to
. August 1968
19(

Feb. 1968 to
May 1968

May 1968 to
August 1968

Nov. 1967 to
February 1968

Aug. 1967 to
November 1967

August 1967 to
August 1968
WPI*

*ALL ITEMS

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0.4

Nondurable

.7

Food and beverages at home

.4

Apparel and accessories

.7

Household furnishings and supplies

.3

0.5
.5
.8
.2

Gasoline and motor oil

1.1

Other nondurables

.1

Durable

.2

New passenger cars

-

Appliances

.2
.1

Furniture and floor coverings

.4

*0ther durables

.2

•CONSUMER SERVICES

.7
1.9

0.6
.7

0.1
.1

.3

1.7

.2

0.9
1.3

1.6

1.9

2.0

1.5
.9

1.1
1.3

.6
1.1
.4

.1

.3

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.5

.2

.1

.7

1.3

1.7

.9

.4

.4
.6
.1
.1
1.3
1.1

.3
-

.1

-

.5
.2
1.0
.4

1.1
1.0
1.2
1.2

1.4
1.6

0.7

2.4

.2

1.3

1.1

.6

.6

0

.6

1.0

1.0

1.0

.1

1.4

.8

.8

.3

1.3

.5

.2

.9

1.0

1.0
.9
.4
1.7

3.5
0

.7

1.0

.9

-

.4

-

.3
1.0
.4

- 5.3
.2
1.1
1.9

3.6
2.8
6.0
2.9
2.4
3.5
3.2
2.3
1.3

.3
5.0
1.2
3.9
.4

0.4

1.9

1.3

1.3

1.1

5.7

•Insurance and finance

.9

4.6

.9

1.6

.9

8.2

*Rent

.3

.7

.6

.6

.5

2.5

•Utilities and public transportation

.2

.5

.5

.6

.4

2.0

•Housekeeping and home maintenance services

.4

1.7

1.9

2.5

1.6

8.0

•Medical care services

.3

1.4

1.8

1.8

2.0

7.1

•Personal care services

.5

1.2

2.2

1.1

1.0

5.5

•Other services

.4

1.1

2.2

1.2

1.5

6.1

2.3
2.4
3.2
3.9
2.1
4.8
.9
2.1
2.1
1.3
3.7
1.7

WHOLESALE PRICES;
Type of Product:
Farm products

1.6

2.6

2.4

Processed foods and feeds

.3

0

•Industrial commodities

.1

.3

3.5

0.9

2.2

1.3

1.6

.4

2.5

.3

1.1

2.4

Industrial Materials and Equipment:
Chemicals and allied products

•

0

.5

.1

Rubber and rubber products

.4

.9

.3

1.1

2.9

Lumber and wood products

.9

2.9

4.1

3.6

2.3

13.6

Pulp, paper and allied products

.1

.3

.6

1.1

.6

.9

.5

.1

.4

1.4

2.1

1.6

1.9

.3

.7

.7

1.2

.6

3.2

.3

.2

1.0

1.1

.6

2.9

Consumer

.4

.1

1.0

1.2

.3

2.6

Producer

.3

.7

.6

1.1

1.2

3.6

0

.2

.2

1.2

2.4

1.3

2.0

1.2

2.5

1.3

*Metals «nd metal products
Machinery and equipment
Stage of Processing at Wholesale:
Finished goods

Intermediate materials, supplies and components
Crude materials

NOTE: The price changes shown for Consumer Products and components are for roughly comparable classes of finished consumer products from the
CPI and WPI. A brief description of the classes of items contained in each group is included at the end of this report. Complete listings of
inclusions in the CPI and WPI groupings will be furnished on request.
•Based on data unadjusted for seasonal variations.




15

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into the index structure in the 1964
revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. \j The table below shows
standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent changes in the CPI for all items
and for nine commodity groupings based on 1967 averages. The figures may be interpreted as
follows: the chances are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in the CPI as computed
differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less than twice the standard
error. Data also are shown in terms of the relative error of the standard error of percent
changes. The relative errors tend to decrease markedly for successively longer time periods,
as expected.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some ambiguity may arise in
interpreting small index changes. The table below indicates, for example, that a month-tomonth change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI is significant. Because of rounding,
however, a change of this size in the published index might result from a much smaller change
in the unrounded value. Hence, any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not be
significant. On the other hand, a published change of 0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of the time period to which it relates.

Standard and Relative Errors of Percent Changes in the
CPI Based on 1967 Data

Component
All items Food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Apparel
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation Other goods and services

Monthly
Change
.03
.08
.06
.04
.16
.07
.12
.14
.08
.10

Standard Error
Quarterly
Annual
Change
Change
'.05
.11
.12
.07

.24
.12
.17
.19
.12
.14

.07
.16
.27
.14
.26
.14
.26
.34
.15
.20

Monthly
Change
.12
.14
.16
.18
.29
.17
.23
.56
.29
.25

Relative Error
Quarterly
Change

Annual
Change

.07
.10
.10
.11
.23
.11
.10
.26
.16
.13

.03
.19
.05
.05
.06
.05
.04
.12
.06
.07

This replaces the table of average standard errors based on 1965 data which was
included in the CPI report through January 1968.

JL/ The method of deriving these estimates is described in a paper by Marvin Wilkerson,
"Measurement of Sampling Error in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 1967.




Composition of Index Groupings Appearing in Table 9

Consumer Price Index
All commodities and services

All Commodities

All commodities except home purchase, used cars,
food and beverages away from home, newspapers,
magazines and books.

Nondurable and durable commodities ready for use by
home consumers except a few individual consumer
products included in WPI groupings of commodities
purchased primarily by individual firms.

All nondurable commodities except food and
beverages away from home and newspapers, magazines and books.

A combination of indexes listed below. 1/

Food and beverages at home

Food at home, alcoholic beverages at home.

Fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, and eggs
from the farm products group; and the processed foods
and feeds group, excluding crude vegetable oils and
manufactured animal feeds.

Apparel and accessories

Apparel, footwear, and accessories. 2/

Apparel and some fabrics and sewing materials,
leather footwear, leather gloves, rubber footwear,
watches and clocks, jewelry.

Household furnishings and supplies

Home maintenance nondurables, fuel oil and
coal, textile housefurnishings, housekeeping
supplies.

Textile housefurnishings, fuels for home use (except
gas), soap and synthetic detergents, sanitary papers
and health products, matches, pens and pencils, and
prepared paints, and miscellaneous housekeeping
supplies.

Gasoline and motor oil

Gasoline and motor oil.

Gasoline and automotive motor oil.

Other nondurables

Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, toilet goods,
recreational nondurables, tobacco products.

Pharmaceutical preparations , cosmetics and other
toilet preparations, tobacco products, personal
brushes, and recreational items such as toys, film,
and playing cards.

All durable commodities except home purchase
and used cars.

A combination of indexes listed below. _!/

New passenger cars

New cars.

Passenger cars.

Appliances

Household appliances, radio and TV.

Home electronic equipment, room heaters,.and household appliances, excluding electric lamps.

Furniture and floor coverings

Furniture and floor coverings.

Household furniture and floor coverings.

Other durables

Home maintenace durables, other housefurnishings, tires, recreational durables,
except radio and TV.

Other durable commodities throughout the WPI which
are used for home maintenance, including some household geods, tires and tubes, outboard motors, equipment for home workshops and home gardens, recreational items such as photographic equipment, sporting
and athletic goods, musical instruments, and phonograph records, electric lamps, typewriters, luggage
and small leather goods, and caskets and morticians
goods.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Durable

CONSUMER SERVICES

All consumer services.

mobile insurance and other

s. II

Rent of home or apartment.
Utilities and public transportation

Housekeeping and home maintenance services

Gas and electricity, telephone, water and
sewer, public transportation.
—

Housekeeping and home maintenance services.

Medical care services

Medical care except drugs and prescriptions.

Other services •

Hotels, apparel services, auto repairs and
maintenance, recreational services, reading
and educational services, personal expenses.

WHOLESALE PRICES
Type of product
Farm Product
Processed foods and feeds
Industrial commodities
Industrial materials and equipment

Same as the Wholesale Price Indexes for major groups.

Stage of Processing at wholesale
Finished goods
Consumer
Producer
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
components
Crude materials

The Wholesale Price Stage of Processing Indexes.
The Consumer Finished Goods index differs from the
Consumer Products index in weighting structure and
is based on a larger sample of commodities.

\J The classification by durable and nondurable commodities is based on CPI classification and is not necessarily the same as the WPI classification in the
Indexes by Durability of Product
2_l Same as apparel commodities.
_3/ Includes registration and license fees and parking fees.




17

Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods
and services usually bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers, both families
and single persons living alone. It is based on prices of about 400 items which were
selected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by
wage earners and clerical workers. Prices for these items are obtained in urban portions of 39 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller cities,
which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States, including
Alaska and Hawaii. They are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage
earners and clerical workers patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in
all 56 locations. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every
month in the 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in other SMSA's and cities. Mail
questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and certain other items which change in price infrequently.
Prices of most other goods and services are obtained by personal visits of the
Bureau's trained representatives.
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each
location are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in the
spending of all wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1960 populations of SMSA's and
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1957-59=100, and are
also available on the bases of 1947-49-100 and 1939-100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from
the 23 SMSA's for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following additional locations:
Alabama - Florence
Alaska - Anchorage
California - Bakersfield*
Colorado - Denver*
Connecticut - Hartford*
Florida - Orlando*
Indiana - Indianapolis*
Indiana - Logansport
Illinois - Champaign-Urbana*
Iowa - Cedar Rapids*
Kansas - Wichita*

Louisiana - Baton Rouge*
Maine - Portland*
Massachusetts - Southbridge
Michigan - Niles
Minnesota - Crookston
Mississippi - Vicksburg
New Jersey - Millville
New York -Kingston
North Carolina - Durham*
North Dakota - Devils Lake
Ohio - Dayton*

Ohio - Findlay
Oklahoma - Mangum
Oregon - Klamath Falls
Pennsylvania - Lancaster*
South Carolina - Union
Tennessee - Nashville*
Texas - Austin*
Texas - McAllen
Utah - Orem
Virginia - Martinsville
Wisconsin - Green Bay*

•Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show only that prices in one
location changed more or less than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used to
measure differences in price levels or in living costs between areas.
A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C. 20212 or any of its regional offices
(addresses below).
BLS Regional Offices
1371 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

341 Ninth Avenue
New York, New York 10001

219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102

John F. Kennedy Fed. Bldg.
Boston, Massachusetts 02203

911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Missouri

1015 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania




19107

411 North Akard Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

64106