Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1960

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Released January 27, 1961
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR DECEMBER

Prices of consumer goods and services in U.S. cities rose by 0.1
pereent between November and December to 127.5 (1947-49 = 100), according to the
United States Department of Laborfs Bureau of Labor Statistics. A moderate but generally
steady upward movement was a principal characteristic of retail prices in 1960 and by
December the index was 1.6 percent above year-ago levels. For the second consecutive
month the increase was primarily due to higher food prices although an increase in overall
shelter costs also contributed materially to the advance to a new record high. Among
nonfood components, services registered a further small increase but commodities excluding
food were unchanged as a consequence of divergent price movements between durables and
nondurables, largely reflecting higher prices for used cars and lower prices for gasoline
and for women's and girls1 apparel.
FOOD

Higher meat prices accounted for a major share of the 0.2 percent
rise in the food index; however, four of the five major food subgroups registered price increases. The index for all foods at 121.4 was at a peak for
the year and close to the postwar high of 121.7 reached in July 1958.
The 0.5 percent increase in the meats, poultry, and fish subgroup
was due almost entirely to higher prices for all beef and veal products priced and for
cured pork products.. The increases in prices of beef products resulted in part from
higher wholesale prices as cattle slaughter decreased over the period. Partially offsetting these increases were lower prices for pork chops, pork roasts and lamb. Lamb
prices decreased to the lowest December levels since 1956 reflecting improved supplies
over a year ago. Increased production also resulted in lower poultry prices. In comparison with December 1959, meat prices were up by 4.3 percent reflecting primarily a
13.5 percent increase in pork prices. Beef and veal prices, on the other hand, were
2.0 percent below year ago levels.
Higher prices for milk and cheese were largely responsible for the
0.3 percent increase in the index for dairy products. Cheese prices have risen steadily
since August mainly as a result of increased demand and higher costs of raw milk, compared
to a year ago. An advance in bread prices was mainly responsible for the 0.3 percent rise
in average prices of cereals and bakery products; over the year bread prices have increased
by 5.4 percent. Lower average prices for candy bars were attributable to continuing
reports of increase in size of bar with no change in price.
The fruits and vegetables index registered only a small increase
over the period as a small decline in average prices of fresh fruits and vegetables was
more than offset by increases for processed fruits and vegetables. Prices of fresh fruits
and fresh vegetables moved in opposite directions, with fresh fruits decreasing by nearly
5 percent and fresh vegetables increasing by approximately the same amount. Such divergent trends are not unusual for December when supplies of some fresh fruits, particularly
citrus fruits, are increasing while supplies of some fresh vegetables are decreasing.
Among fresh fruits, orange and grapefruit prices continued to decline substantially.
However, prices were well above a year ago as shipments remained below the previous year.
The primary factor for the increase in fresh vegetables was a sharp rise (about 57 percent)
in the price of tomatoes. Inclement weather during the early part of December, particularly in Florida, retarded harvesting with resultant light supplies to market.
HOUSING

Most elements of home ownership charges advanced over the period,
led by higher residential property taxes. For the past several
years tax increases have been widespread as a result of the increasing cost of local
government services. Rents continued their upward trend although several cities priced




2

in December reported decreases. Higher material costs for most items and services
accounted for the upward movement in home maintenance and repair costs. Widespread price
increases for coal and petroleum fuels accompanied the unusually cold weather.
MEDICAL CARE,
APPAREL, AND
OTHER GROUPS

An increase in fees for professional services was largely responsible for the slight advance in the medical care index. However,
average prices for prescriptions and drugs declined for the fourth
consecutive month.

Reductions at year-end clearance sales for winter and fall items of
women's and girls1 apparel mainly accounted for the decline in the apparel index. However, the apparel index is now 1.3 percent above the level of December 1959.
Dealers1 selling prices of new cars declined only 0.1 percent. This
stability reflected the greater than normal concessions from list prices reported by
dealers in the first two months of the 1961 model year. However, new car prices were
3 percent lower than a year ago. Used car prices, on the other hand, advanced by 1.6 percent over the month, reversing the trend of the past 14 months, but are still about 13
percent below levels of a year ago.
1960 PRICE TRENDS

The 1960 annual average Consumer Price Index (126.5) was 1.5 percent
above the 1959 average, an increase well below that of some postwar
years. Continued gains in service charges, especially shelter costs, were again mainly
responsible for the 1960 advances. However, higher food prices also contributed significantly to the overall price rise. All food subgroups except the important meats, poultry,
and fish component, increased over 1959. The advance was led by higher prices for restaurant meals and fruits and vegetables. Among the nonfood components of the ind^x, significant price declines were registered in dealers' prices of new and used cars and in household durables, particularly major appliances.
COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENT

On the basis of a December Consumer Price Index of 127.5 more than
150,000 workers will receive automatic cost-of-living wage increases
of 1 or 2 cents an hour. About 110,000 workers, mainly employees of
various metal working industries, including some aircraft companies, will receive 1 cent
an hour raises, practically all on a quarterly basis. The remaining workers, numbering
about 42,000, are scheduled to receive increases of 2 cents an hour. Of these, about
20,000 are employed by Western trucking companies whose contracts provide for semiannual
adjustments•




3

TABLE It Consumer Price Index—United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, December 1960

and percent changes from selected dates
(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)
Indexes
Group
All items

Cereals and bakery products
Moats, poultry, and fish

Food away from home (Jan, 1953=100)
Rent
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Apparel
Ifcn's and boys1

"

•

-

Other apparel

• • ••

PrivatePublic 4/-?

...

•

-• -

Medical care

Percent change to December 1960 from —
November
1960

September
1960

December
1959

Year

December
1960

November
1960

127.5

127.4

0.1

0.6

1.6

114.6

121.4
118.7
139.0
110.5
119.3
126.3
111.6
119.9

121.1
118.4
138.6
109.9
118.9
126.2
111.6
119.6

.2
.3
.3
.5
.3
.1
0
.3

1.0
1.1
.9
.3
1.5
1.4
2.1
.5

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.7
2.2
0.6
5.9
2.2

157.7
152.0
143.0
165.6
139.6
172.8
130.6
(i/)

132.3
142.8
125.6
137.0
103.9
138.3

132.1
142.7
125.7
136.3
104.0
138.3

.2
.1
.1
.5
.1
0

.2
.5
- .1
1.6
- .2
.2

1.5
1.4
2.4
- .2
- i3
2.1

73.9
64.9
19.7
142.9
94.6
102.2

110.6
112.0
101.1
140.7
94.0

110.7
112.0
101.4
140.3
94.1

0
.2
0
.4
.2

1.3
2.7
.8
.7
1.0

110.7
120.5
85.5
179.7
131.5

146.5
134.5
202.9

146.5
134.4
202.9

0
.1
0

1.2
1.3
1.3

- 1.5
- 7.2
3.6

108.7
105.3
149.6

158.0

157.9

.1

.7

3.1

117.6

.1

.6

124.3

-

-

.1
0
.3
.3
.1

-

-

1939

133.7

133.9

-

.1

122.3

122.5

-

.2

.2

1.6

94.1

132.7

132.7

0

0

.8

88.0

All items less food

130.8

130.8

0

.4

1.0

89.3

All items less shelter

125.0

125.0

0

.6

1.5

125.6

Commodities
•
Nondurable s - 1
Food
Nondurables less food
Apparel
Apparel less footwear •
Nondurables less food and apparel—
Durables
New cars
-'
"•
Used oars (Jan. 1953=100)

118.4
121.0
121.4
121.0
110.5
105.3
130.0
110.8
139.0
83.0
102.8

118.3
120.9
121.1
121.1
110.6
105.4
130.0
110.7
139.1
81.7
102.8

.1
.1

1.1
2.1
3.1
.9
1.3
1.5
.7
- 2.6
- 3.0
-12.8
- .5

129.5
135.4
157.7
106.1
112.1

.1
.1
1.6
0

.6
.6
1.0
.1
0
0
.2
.7
5.0
- 1.9
- .2

115.9

115.9

0

.3

151.4
142.8
153.6

151.3
142.7
153.6

.1
.1
0

140.0
186.8
165.3
136.8

140.1
187.0
165.1
136.7

-

.1
.1
.1
.1

$0,784

$0,785

-

.1

Special groups!

Commodities less food
Services • •
Rent

•

,

-

.1
.1
.1

<l/>
97.3
93.4
143.9

Cl/>
79.4

.4

95.1

.4
.5
.4

2.4
1.4
2.6

88.3
64.9
109.0

.1
.5
1.0
.2

2.4
2.2
3.8
2.4

60.9
133.2
134.5
134.6

-

Household operation services, gas,
Medical care services •
Other services 2/m1

1

- •
-"

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=11.00)
1/
2/
y
and beauty




4/

-

.6

-53.4

Not available.
Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not ^hovn separately*
Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
shop services, and novies,
Corrected index.

See page 7.

4

TABIC 2s Constaar Prioe Index—^All items indexes and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. oitj tratgi and 20 large cities

Feroent change to
current Month tram. —
September
December
Tear
1960
1959
1939

Indexes (1947-49=100)
December
1960

City

127.5

September
1960

December
1959

Tear
1939

126.8

125.5

59.4

0.6

1.6

114.6

130.4
125.4
129.8
125.5
127.2

129.0
124.0
128.9
124.2
126.5

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

.2
.3
.9
.6
.6

1.2
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.2

122.9
113.2
116.9
110.1
116.2

Cities prloed Monthly 2/
Detroit •• •1 •
Los Angelaslew Tork
Th11a4t1Lj*>4»

125.8

• • . 131.0
126.3
128.0

Cities prioad in March, June,
September, December

December
1960

2/

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

cities prloed In February, May,
August, November

2/

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
t
Washington, D.C.

—

cities prioad in January, April,
July, October

Tear
1939

September
1960

127.9
128.7
124.8
127.4
133.0

126.4
127.2
123.8
126.6
131.8

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

November
1960

August
1960

November
1959

Tear
1939

127.9
126.4
123.9
130.5
123.8

127.4
126.1
121.8
129.8
123.2

126.4
125.4
121.5
129.2
121.7

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

.4
.2
1.7
.5
.5

Tear
1939

July
1960

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

.3
.2
.8
.1
.2

129.1
128.2
128.5
129.0
127.2

Boston
Kansas CityMinneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

December
1959

127.7
129.3
125.0
127.9
133.9

October
1960

2/

September
1960

July
1960
128.7
127.9
127.5
128.9
127.5

October
1959
126.7
126.9
126.5
126.8
126.3

-

1.0
1.7
1.0
1.0
1.6

.2
.5
.2
.4
.7

119.0
123.3
114.0
115.7
128.5

Tear
1939

November
1959

August
1960

-

Tear
1939

December
1959

1.2
0.8
2.0
1.0
1.7

116.0
112.4
111.8
120.4
105.0

October
1959

Tear
1939

1.9
1.0
1.6
1.7
.7

111.6
107.8
111.7
122.0
118.2

J/ Rants prioad bimonthly.
Foods, fuels, and a few other items prioad Monthly; rents and other ooMsoditles and service* priced quarterly*

TABUS 31 Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from November 1960 to December 1960
U.S. eity average and five cities priced Monthly
All items and coMModlty groups

City

All
ItSMS

Food

0.1

0.2

.1
.1
.3
.2
.1

.3
.6
.6
.6
0

tfolted States eity average—
Chicago
Detroit-••-•
——Ips Angeles - • •— • •-••••
lav York' •'•! . - .. •• •
Philadelphia




-

Housing

-

Apparel

Transportation

0.2

- 0.1

0

0
.3
.1
.2
.4

.2
0
.1
.1
.5

- 0.6
- 1.2
1.0
.2
.1

-

Reading
Medical Personal
and
care
recreation
care
0.1

-

.1
.1
0
0
.5

- 0.1
-

.1
.6
.1
.1
.6

Other
goods &
servioes

- 0.2

0

0
0
0
.5
0

0.3
0
- 1.0
0
0

-

TABIC 4s ConsumerftrioeIndex—All item0 and commodity groups
December 1960 indexes and percent changes, September 1960 to December 1960

5

U.S. city aferage and 10 oitiea prioed in December 1960
0.8.
City Atlanta Balti- Chicago Cincin- Detroit
Los
New
Average
nati
more
! Angeles York

Group

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Franc isc<

Indexes (19^7-*9.100)
127.5

Pood at hone — — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery product® —
Meats, poultry, and fisk
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone
—
—
loosing
— — — — — —
Rent — — — — — — — — —
Oas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Household operation — — — — — —
Apparel
lien's and boys'
—
Women's and girls'

—

—

Other apparel — —

—-—

Transportation - — —
Private
— —
Public

— —
—

127.7

129.3

130.6

125.0

125.8

131.0

126.3

128.0

127.9

133.9

121.4
118.2
116.5
118.7
126.3
139.0
113.9
110.5
118.1
119.3
126.3 . 125.3
111.6
106.8

121.2
117.2
135.4
111.4
116.9
119.3
111.9

119.1
116.6
132.1
105.5
123.0
122.1
116.9

122.2
119.5
139.2
113.0
118.8
126.9
113.1

120.1
117.4
129.7
105.6
119.5
130.5
110.3

128.1
122.4
152.7
109.6
116.4
141.8
110.9

122.8
119.2
148.6
110.9
122.8
121.0
110.1

123.9
120.3
138.6
111.0
125.1
126.8
111.0

121.8
117.3
126.0
107.1
110.9
134.6
118.5

126.2
123.3
152.7
115.0
123.3
135.9
109.2

132.3
142.8
125.6
137.0
103.9
138.3

136.1
141.0
136.0
139.8
108.1
149.2

129.4
140.3
110.3
131.4
100.4
134.8

140.9

127.6
140.8
121.7
127.4
110.0
125.7

139.5

106.7
125.3
111.1
146.8

129.2
150.8
114.7
161.3
103.9
142.5

137.4
157.0
152.3

102.6
127.9

131.3
136.3
121.8
141.8
106.3
139.3

126.6

130.0
143.6
101.7
139.6

126.4
145.0
136.7
151.1
96.0
143.3

106.6
129.9

110.6
112.0
101.1
140.7
94.0

116.3
120.8
105.1
148.4
93.5

113.2
109.3
106.9
146.2
99.7

114.1
118.1
101.8
145.4
98.2

107.5
110.4
95.7
145.6
90.2

108.0
110.4
97.6
136.4
86.8

112.1
115.3
102.5
141.5
86.0

109.9
112.9
98.1
143.0
98.6

111.9
112.9
102.6
141.2
97.2

110.5
111.3
101.9
138.0
97.1

111.8
110.9
102.7
148.1
92.4

146.5
141.1
131.0
134.5
If 202.9 202.1
158.0
133.7
122.3
132.7

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

145.5
139.7
126.9
133.7

—

—

147.8
—

—

—

155.8
142.9
159.2
137.7
131.2
136.5
1/215.4 1/205.0 1/191.2

144.4
137.9
147.7
156.1
156.2
166.3
130.3
137.9
132.6
129.1
133.8
153.5
1/179.1 1/186.5 1/191.0 1/207.0 1/236.6 1/184.8

174.6
133.0
133.8
140.8

162.9
140.4
119.5
140.1

168.7
138.0
125.3
122.7

156.6
130.0
111.9
131.1

154.3
135.0
104.2
133.8

148.0
123.6
127.1
133.5

162.4
143.7
122.1
132.6

171.3
139.6
101.7
132.4

160.5
132.3
121.7
135.2

0.6

0.4

0.7

.6
.7
- 1.0
.5
3.4
- .9
.8

2.4
3.0
.1
2.1
4.3
5.2
3.4

.8
1.1
1.3
- 1.5
2.2
3.0
1.4

.7

.2
.1
0
1.6
- .6
0

.2
.8
0

Percent change from September 1960 to December 1960
All items

0.6

- 0.2

1.0
1.1
.9
.3
1.5
1.4
2.1

0
0
.2
1.3
1.1
- 7.3
3.0

.9
1.1
0
1.8
.3
- .1
2.3

.8
1.0
1.0
1.7
.6
- 1.7
2.2

.2
.5
- .1
1.6
- .2
.2

.3
.1
0
7.0
- .3
1.8

-

-

—

0.5

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.6

0.9

•

7ood

Food at )mm — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — - —
Other foods at bomt
lousing
—
Rent — — — — — — — — —
Oas and electricity — — — - —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefuralsklngs — — — — —

—
—
—
—

Apparel Hen's and boys' — — — — — —
Vomn's and girls'
— — —
Footwear — — — — — — —
Other apparel —
'——-—

-

Transportation — — — — — —
M v a t e — — — — — — — — —
Public
Medical cadre
Personal care — — — — —
Reading and recreation — —
Other goods and services
—




V
2/

—
—
—
—

-

0
.2
0
.4
.2

-

.6
.2
- 1.4
0
- .4

.2
0
.1
2.5
.1
- .8

-

-

0
.7
.8
.8
0

.1
—

-

-

0
1.4
.7
.2

.7
.9
2.2
0
1.6
.3
,1.4

1.0
1.1
1.2
- .1
2.0
2.3
1.0

.1
.3
- .1
3.0
- .2
.2

.5
2/-.6
4.7
• .9
1.2
,2

-

.2
.1
.2
.8
.1

- 1.5
- .7 •
- 3.0
0
- .1

1*3
1.5
2.8
- 1.1
.7
4.3
1.7

.2
.3
.3
- .9
2.1
- .6
1.0

.6

.8
2/ .4
- .2
3.4
.4
1.1

0
3.0
.2
2.2

.3
.4
.4
1.5
.8

.4
.3
.6
.2
.2

1.2
1.7
0

2.3
1.1
7.0

- 2.0
- 2.3
.1

2.0
2.3
0

2.8
.7
.5
.1

.4
- .6
- 1.3
.1

.6
.1
.7

.6
.8
.8
.1

—

.1
-

.4
.2

0
.3
.4
0
0

.4
.3
.5
.1
.1

1.2
1.3
1.3

- 1.1
- 1.4
0

.8
1.1
0

.1
.4
.1

.2
.4
0

- .9
- 1.0
0

2.1
2.4
.4

.7
.1
.2
0

- 1.1
- .2
- .4
0

3.4
.7
1.0
.1

1.2
.1
0
- .1

.1
.7
.1
.2

-

.2
.4
.6
.1

1.2
.5
1.1
- 1.0

-

-

Corrected indexes for U.S. and all cities listed except Atlanta.
Change from October 1960 to December 1960.

-

-

See pages 7 and 7A.

—

-

-

r

.2
.2
.8
.7
0

.2
.5

-

.2
.3
.7
.1
.6

6
TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index -- Food and its subgroups
December 1960 indexes and percent changes,.November 1960 to December 1960
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49-100)
Total ~
food at hone

Total food
City

U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland - —
Detroit Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles —

—•

Index

Pareant
change

121.4

0.2

118.7

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

116.5
117.2
117.6
116.6
119.5
114.0
117.4
113.2
111.9
122.4

.4
- .6
0
.2
.7
.9
.6
.3
1.0
.4

116.6
119.2
120.3
120.5
119.3
117.3
123.3
115.9
121.9
119.2

118.2
121.2
121.0

—
—-

Minneapolis - —
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
— —
St. Louis —
San Francisco
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

119.1
122.2
116.8
120.1
116.2
114.8
128.1
119.7
122.8
123.9
122.2
122.2
121.8
126.2
117.4
124.6
121.7

-

-

.6
-

TABLE 6:

Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products:
Flour, wheat
— — - - —
5 ib.
Biscuit mix
go as.
Macaroni — — —
—
15 e x.
Corn meal
— i*.
Rolled oats
13 *z.
Corn flakes -12 «z.
Rice, short grain
lb.
Rice, long g r a i n — — lb.
Bread, white —
IV.
Soda crackers
lb.
Vanilla cookies — —
7
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak
—
ib.
Sirloin steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cut let 8
it.
Pork chops, center cut —
Pork roast - — - — .
lb.
Bacon, sliced —
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters —
r&.
Luncheon meat, c a n n e d —
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook - u>.
Ocean perch, filjet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned
16 «z.
Tuna fish, canned
6 U
oz.
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
q t.
Ice cream —
— —
£ gal.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
£ ib.
Milk, evaporated —
l4i-az. eaa
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries
10
Orange juice concentrate
6
Lemonade concentrate — - — 6 •*.
Peas, green
— 10 «z.
Beans, green
9 *z.
Potatoes, french fried - - — 9
Fresh:
Apples
lb.
Bananas
—
———lb.
Oranges, size 200
d»z.
Lemons
—
—lb.
*

Priced only in season.




Pareant
change

Index

Cereala and
bakery prodnets
Index

Pareant
ehanga

ItMts, poultry,
and flah

Dairy
prodnets

Index

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Fruita and
vegetables
Index

Percent
change

0.3

139.0

0.3

110.5

0.5

119.3

0.3

126.3

0.1

.5
.5
.2
.4
.3
.3
.4
.4
.3
.7

126.3
135.4
135.1
132.1
139.2
132.7
129.7
128.5
135.9
152.7

.2
.2
.3
.2
1.5
0
.5
.2
1.6
.3

113.9
111.4
112.2
105.5
113.0
105.6
105.6
102.4
103.5
109.6

0
1.4
.3
1.4
.3
.9
.7
.8
1.4
1.1

118.1
116.9
116.1
123.0
118.8
109.9
119.5
114.5
112.6
116.4

0
.1
.2
.2
.2
.1
.7
- 1.5
0
.2

125.3
119.3
125.4
122.1
126.9
119.7
130.5
127.6
116.6
141.8

- 3.4
1.4
1.6
.5
1.0
- 2.8
1.6
.4
.3
1.3

.4
.7
- .1
.2
.5
1.1
.7
.4
.9
.3

134.6
148.6
138.6
138.2
141.4
126.0
152.7
135.5
150.4
139.0

.1
.3
.8
.3
0
0
.1
.7
.1
.1

104.5
110.9
111.0
110.4
110.0
107.1
115.0
110.8
113.5
110.0

.6
.3
.7
.3
.5
1.0
.1
.7
l.l
2.1

110.7
122.8
125.1
121.0
124.6
110.9
123.3
113.7
124.3
122.5

.5
.2
.2
.3
.2
.3
1.3
.1
3.2
.3

133.3
121.0
126.8
122.5
123.6
134.6
135.9
U7.2
132.0
118.5

1.9
2.7
.8
.4
.3
3.3
.4
2.0
.3
2.2

-

-

-

-

-

Otter
foods at home

-

111.6

0.2

106.8
111.9
106.5
116.9
113.1

.3

.6

.8
1.1

112.8

0

110.3
106.7
104.4
110.9

.9

.1
1.5

.8

116.4

.7

1.2

110.1

111.0

.5
.7
1.5
.7

121.9
111.7
118.5
109.2
109.6
108.3

2.2

0

.7
.3

116.0

Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average
December
1960
Cents

November
1960
Cents

56.1
26.9
23.2
13.1
22.2
26.0
18.5
20.5
20.9
29.0
24.4

55.9
26.9
23.1
13.1
22.2
25.9
18.5
20.5
20.8
29.0
24.4

104.6
107.7
61.4
81.4
51.9
140.1
88.9
64.4
69.2
63.1
71.6
62.9
50.5
41.0
47.3
55.0
69.7
32.5

JLG3.8
107.6
60.1
81.1
51.3
137.9
90.2
65.1
68.2
61.2
72.8
63.0
50.4
41.4
47.2
55.3
68.5
32.6

25.1
26.4
86.3
76.6
36.3
15.8

25.1
26.4
86.6
76.5
35.7
15.8

26.9
23.3
13.4
23.1
19.8

27.2
23.0
13.3
20.5
23.1
19.7

14.7
16.4
74.4
22.7

14.1
15.5
87.1
21.3

20.8

Food and unit

Fresh—Cont inued
Grapefruit *
eaob
Peaches * — — — — —
ib.
Strawberries *
p t.
Grapes, seedless *
lb.
Watermelons *
lb.
Potatoes —
ID lb.
Sweet potatoes — — — — — - lb.
Onions
lb.
Carrots
lb.
Lettuce—
head
Celery
lb.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes—--lb.
Beans, g r e e n — — — — — — lb.
Canned:
Orange juice
4b—t. eaa
Pineapple juice
46 as. •»•
Peaches
^
•«>
Pineapple
*2 eaa
Fruit cocktail
; *303 eaa
Corn, cream style
jt303 eaa
Peas, green
*303 eaa
Tomatoes
— - - £303 eaa
Tomato juice — — —
46
«a
Baby foods
U 5
Dried:
Prunes
—
lb.
Beans —
lb.
Other foods at home:
Tomato soup
lofc U ll-az. eaa
Beans,with pork
16-es.
Pickles, sliced
— - - — - 15.
Catsup, tomato
14 •*.
Potato chips —
4 az.
Coffee
— lb. a*a
Coffee
lb. bag
Tea bags
p k*. *f 16
Cola drink, carton
36 «z.
Shortening, hydrogenated — 3 lb.
Margarine, colored
lb.
Lard
— lb.
Salad dressing
—
p*0
Peanut butter
lb.
Sugar
lb.
Corn syrup
24 ax.
Grape jelly —
12 «z.
Chocolate bar - —
—
l »z.
Eggs, Grade A, largedaz.
Gelatin, flavored
3 ta 4 »z

December

jm

November

I960

Cents

Cents

13.2

14.3

24.8
67.9
13.7
8.5
14.8
15.4

12.8

8.4
38.6
23.7
43.4
32.4
33.6
38.2
27.0

20.0
21.6
16.1

66.8
13.1

8.6

14.3
18.9
13.3
7.9
24.5
25.2
42.8
32.3
33.6
38.3
27.0
19.7
21.5

16.0

32.6

10.6

32.5
10.5

40.7
16.7

40.2
16.5

12.4
14.8
26.5
22.7
27.3
74.4
59.0
24.5
30.1
84.9
27.1
20.2
36.0
55.6
59.4

12.4
14.9
26.5
22.7
27.2
74.6
59.2
24.5
30.2
84.1
27.0

26.8

29.1
4.6
69.1
9.3

20.0

36.0
55.5
59.4
26.7
28.9
4.7
69.3
9.2

LABOR - D. C.

6A
TABLE A: Consumer Price Index--United States city average: Special group
indexes, 1960 annual averages and percent changes from! 1959
(1947-49 = 100 unless otherwise specified)
1960 Average
Group
Index
All items
All items less food------All items less shelter-Commodities
Nondurables
FoodNondurables less food
Apparel•
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel-—---Durables
New cars
—--—-—
Used cars (Jan. 1953=100)
Durables less cars
Commodities less food
Services
Rent
—
Services less rent—
Household operation, gas, and electticityTransportation services
Medical care servicesOther services
—
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49 = $1.00)-




Percent change
from 1959

126.5

1.5

130.0
124.0
117.5
119.6
119.7
120.1
109.3
104.0
129.2
111.6
137.7
87.6
103.2
115.7
150.0
141.8
152.1
139.0
184.9
162.8
135.6

1.6
1.5
0.8
1.3
1.2
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.5
1.2
1.4
6.6
.1
.5
2.9
1.5
3.1
3.1
2.6
4.2
3.0

$0,791

-

- 1.5

TABU B: Ccmsuner Prioe Index—All lteas and ocw41ty groupe
1960 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1959 to 1960

U.S. eity average and 10 cities prloed in December 1960
U.8.
City Atlanta Balti- Chicago Cincin- Detroit Los
more
nati
Average
Angeles

Oroap

New
York

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Francisco

Indexes (1^7^9-100)
All itess

126.5

127.2

128.3

129.9

124.4

124.9

129.8

125.2

126.7

127.1

132.6

117.0
115.0
126.0
111.9
116.4
130.2
101.8

119.8
115.7
133.7
109.0
116.5
123.5
107.0

117.5
114.8
131.0
103.0
121.4
125.2
111.9

120.5
117.6
135.8
110.9
117.6
127.9
109.3

118.7
116.0
127.2
104.3
114.7
136.2
106.8

126.1
120.5
149.0
109.8
114.8
139.4
107.4

122.0
118.2
145.0
111.9
119.6
123.8
106.3

122.1
118.7
138.0
110.5
121.2
129.7
105.9

119.0
114.0
124.5
104.7
105.2
132.8
113.4

124.4
121.3
151.6
115.2
119.4
134.6
105.1

lousing —
— — — —
Beat — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Housefurnishings
—
Household operation

119.7
116.9
136.8
109.3
116.8
128.3
106.8
118.8
131.5
141.8
124.8
135.6
104.2
137.4

135.7
140.8
134.6
135.4
109.2
146.7

128.7
139.4
109.7
130.4
100.3
135; 1

140.6

127.1
142.2
117.1
126.8
109.0
125.3

138.7

106.7
126.4
110.3
142.9

129.1
150.4
113.8
157.8
104.0
141.2

136.3
154.8
151.0

103.5
127.8

129.8
134.5
121.2
138.6
105.5
138.3

125.7

130.0
140.3
102.2
138.8

126.0
144.2
134.1
147.1
96.3
141.2

107.0
127.8

Apparel
Men's and boys' — — — —
Vansn's and girls'
Footwear — — — — - — - — — —
Other apparel

109.4
110.4
100.0
139.9
93.3

115.5
119.0
105.0
146.9
93.7

112.2
107.8
106.4
144.6
99.2

113.0
116.7
100.9
144.0
97.6

108.0
109.4
97.7
145.2
89.8

106.5
108.9
95.7
136.1
86.1

111.4
113.7
102.2
141.5
85.9

108.4
110.3
97.4
141.0
97.4

108.9
110.9
98.2
140.5
95.7

109.5
110.0
101.4
136.7
95.1

111.1
110.2
102.0
147.2
92.3

Transportat ion - — —
Private
Public
—

— — — 146.2
134.5
199.3

143.7
134.5
197.3

160.1
138.7
215.0

156.4
136.9
204.3

144.1
132.4
190.5

138.5
130.9
177.9

143.2
136.8
184.1

147.7
129.1
190.4

154.9
134.5
195.1

160.1
136.7
235.9

164.8
152.0
184.8

156.2
133.3
121.5
132.2

146.5
140.1
124.8
133.7

168.5
133.0
131.5
140.6

167.1
137.9
125.4
123.3

155.8
129.4
111.9
131.2

160.8
137.4
118.9
140.0

151.9
134.7
102.8
133.8

144.5
124.3
125.1
133.4

161.0
143.8
123.2
132.5

170.5
136.6
100.6
132.5

158.7
131.0
120.6
134.3

Food
Pood at hone
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hose - — — — — !
Food away from home

Medical care

—

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

—

- -

143.7

Fereant change frcsi 1959 to 1960
All items — —

—

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.4

1.1

0.9

1.9

2.0

1.8

0.6

2.0

1.2
0.9
1.9
- 1.3
2.2
2.6
.7
2.6
1.8
1.5
4.1
- .7
.3
2.3

1.1
0.9
.6
- .6
3.0
1.4
1.4

1.5
1.0
4.0
- 1.0
- 0.5
2.6
1.7

1.5
1.5
1.8
- 0.6
5.0
2.3
1.1

1.4
1.4
2.2
0.4
3.1
1.3
.6

1.0
1.0
1.9
- 1.9
4.4
2.8
.3

2.1
1.3
2.0
- 1.5
2.8
5.2
- 0.2

1.4
0.7
2.0
- 1.1
1.5
2.7
.2

1.0
0.6
.4
- 1.5
1.8
2.4
1.2

.3
.1
.7
- .8
- .9
1.6
.3

1.5
0.7
2.4
- .5
2.1
2.7
- 1.3

2.4
1.1
6.2
2.0
- 1.2
4.3

.9
1.6
.1
- 2.7
.9
.6

1.1

- .1
- 1.5
- .4
- .2
- .4
2.2

1.8

1.7
- 3.6
2.0
4.5

.9
1.5
5.2
- .7
- 1.0
3.0

3.0
3.4
2.4

.9
2.7

2.6
3.0
3.0
- 1.1
1.3
3.1

2.2

.5
.9
.6
1.5

.9
.5
6.0
.5
.1
3.5

1.4
1.8
.5
3.5
1.1

1.4
2.5
0
3.7
.2

2.3
.4
2.1
6.7
1.3

1.7
2.1
.7
3.7
1.0

.8
1.8 .
- .5
2.8
.7

.9
.5
.2
3.4
.3

2.0
2.2
1.6
3.4
1.3

1.7
1.8
.8
4.0
1.4

2.5
2.1
2.4
3.5
2.7

2.1
1.7
1.5
3.9
2.8

Transportation — — — — — — — - .1
Ptdvate***
<»
—
—
3.4
Pnhiio*^-—"—"—————

- 1.1

.3

.3

2.8

.1

4.3

.8
.8
.3

.1
- 1.3
7.0

.6
- 1.2
13.2

.6
.9
.2

1.0
.8
1.7

- .8
- 1.0
.2

3.6
Medical care —
— —
—
ftnrraal ear* — — — — — — 1.6
2.4
Reading and recreation — — —
1.9
Other goads and services
— —

2.7
2.9
3.4
.1

5.8
1.8
.6
.4

5.8
2.1
1.0
.7

1.6
.3
1.0
2.3

2.0
2.5
2.8
?.0

3.2
.2
.2
4.1

3.1
.3
3.7
1.8

4.1
4.7
.4
1.8

1.4
4.5
2.4

Food — — —
Food at fcoae —

—

—

—

Cereals and bakery products

—
—

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

Bousing — — — — — — — — —
Bant
— — — — —
Oas and electricity — — — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefurnishings

—
—
—

j ^ !

Men's and boys'
—
Vow's and girls'
Footwear
— — — — — —
Other apparel — — — — — —




-

—

-

-

—

7.9
—

—

-

•

3

—

-

.7
3.8
1.7
1.1
1.3
4.0
1.5

-

.6
.7
.7
2.9
4.1
2.4
4.8

7

CORRECTED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INDEXES
Correction of errors since 1958 in the calculation of railroad rates have
resulted in adjustments in the Consumer Price Indexes for Public Transportation for the
United States and for most of the 20 large cities for which separate city indexes are
calculated as shown in the tabulation below. However, these corrections were not sufficiently large to affect the published All Items Consumer Price Indexes or the overall
transportation group indexes.
Corrections of the item indexes for railroad coach fares and transportation
^rvices will be published in the December 1960 quarterly Consumer Price Index report
"Price Indexes for Selected Items and Groups."
CORRECTED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INDEXES
(1947-49 = 100)
Date

United
States

Chicago

Detroit

Jan. 1958
Feb. 1958
Mar. 1958
Apr. 1958
May 1958
June 1958
July 1958
Aug. 1958
Sept. 1958
Oct. 1958
Nov. 1958
Dec. 1958
Year 1958
Jan. 1959
Feb. 1959
Mar. 1959
Apr. 1959
May 1959
June 1959
July 1959
Aug. 1959
x
Sept. 1959
bet. 1959
Nov. 1959
Dec. 1959
Year 1959

182.4
184.5
185.1
185.3
185.3
186.8
188.6
188.7
189.0
189.6
190.5
190.7
187.2

194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.3
194.9
194.9
194.4

153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
153.9
155.2
155.3
154.1

190.7
190.7
190.9
191.5
191.6
191.6
193.1
193.5
193.5
194.4
194.6
195.8
192.7

194.9
194.9
194.9
194.9
194.9
194.9
194.9
195.2
195.2
195.2
195.2
204.0
195.8

155.3
155.3
155.3
155.3
155.3
155.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
166.3

Jan. 1960
Feb. 1960
Mar. 1960
Apr. 1960
May 1960
June 1960
July 1960
Aug. 1960
Sept. 1960
Oct. 1960
Nov. 1960

195.8
197,9
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.3
198.9
199.3
200.3
201.2
202.9

204.0
204.0
204.0
204.0
204.0
204.0
204.0
204.0
204.8
205.0
205.0

177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
177.3
179.1
179.1
179.1




Los
Angeles

New
York

Philadel]

189.0
189.0
189.0
189.0
189.0
189.0
189.1
189.1
189.1
189.1
189.8
190.0
189.2

187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
187.4
188.1
188.1
187.5

163.6
163.6
163.6
163.6
163.6
162.7

190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0

188.1
188.1
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
191.8

163.6
185.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
186.5
186.5

190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.0
190.3
190.3
191.0
191.0
191.0

192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
192.6
193.4
193.4
207.0

—
—
—
—

- —
—
—
—
—
—
—

- —
—
—

—
—
—

7A
Corrected Public Transportation Indexes
(1947-49 = 100)
1958
Jan.
Cities priced in
January, April,
July, October
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore,

217,1

July

Oct,

1958
Annual
Average

234,6

234.6

227.4

Feb.

May

Aug.

Nov.

1959
Annual
Average

180.3

180.3

180.3
190.1
190.6
180.1
169.9

180.3
190.1
190,6
180,1
169.9

180.3
189.2
190.6
180,1
169.9

Mar.

June

Sept.

214.7
190.0
235.5

214.7
190.0
235.5

215.4
191.2
236,4

Apr.

217,1

1958

Cities priced in
February, May
August, November
Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

Feb,

May

Aug.

Nov.

1958
Annual
Average

170.9

170.9

179.1

180,3

175.3

- -

190.6
—

156.6

- -

190.6

—

190.6
--

- -

156.6

156.6

—

190.6
—




190.6
- -

Jan,

Apr.

July

235.9

235.9

—
235.9
—

Oct.

1959
Annual
Average

Jan,

Apr.

July

Oct,

188.5
235.9
197.7

174.0
235.9
197.1

188.5
235.9
197.7

188,5
254.4
197,7

197,4
254,4
197.7

197,9
256,0
198,6

Feb.

May

Aug,

Nov.

180.3
198,3
190,6
187,4
169.9

180.3
198,3
190.6
187.4
176.6

180.3
198.3
190.6
187,4
176.6

181.8
198.3
191.3
188.8
178.3

1959

- -

190.6
—

—

190.6
—

169.9

159.9

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

1959
Annual
Average

214.7
190.0
235.4

214.7
190.0
235.4

214.7
190.0
235.5

214.7
190.0
235.5

214.7
190.0
235.4

1958

Cities priced in
March, June,
September, December
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis

- -

1959

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

1958
Annual
Average

187.3
182.1
205.3

187.-3
182.1
205.3

187.3
188.9
234.6

214.7
190.0
235.4

191.9
185.1
217.6

169.9

169.9

1959

1960

1960

1960
Dec.

7B
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers. It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their 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
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
k6 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other 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 Bureaufs 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 19^7-^9 « 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-si zed 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
Sandpo int, Idaho
Shawnee, Qklahoma
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 and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 20 large cities are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or any of its regional offices (addresses below).
Bie historical tables include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for
periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1935 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. E.
Zone 9




New York
3^1 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St.
Zone 11

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10

LABOR - D. C.




PAID SICK LEAVE PROVISIONS IN MAJOR UNION CONTRACTS, 1959
A study of formal sick leave plans in major collective bargaining
agreements covering 1.2 million workers:
* Prevalence
* Amount of benefits
* Eligibility requirements
* Accumulation rules
* Pay for unused sick leave
(35 pages, 12 tables)

Order as BLS Bulletin 1282 and send check or money order to any of
these Bureau of Labor Statistics regional offices:
18 Oliver St.
Boston 10, Mass.

341 9th Ave.
New York lf N. Y.

105 West Adams St.
Chicago 3t 111.

1371 Peachtree St., NE
Atlanta 9 f Ga.

630 Sansome St.
San Francisco llf Calif.
or to the

Superintendent of Documents
Government Printing Office
Washington 25f D. C.
Price 30 cents a copy

ORDER FORM
Enclosed find $
(check or money order). Please send me ^^^^ copies of
BLS Bull. 1282y Paid Sick Leave Provisions in Major Union Contracts, 1959,
30 cents a copy. (Twenty-five percent discount on orders of 100 copies or
more.)
Name
Street Address
City, Zone, and State

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS