Full text of CPI Detailed Report : February 1955
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Issued March 23, 1955 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - FEBRUARY 1955 The Consumer Price Index remained unchanged in February 1955 at lllu3 percent of the 19U7-U9 average for the third consecutive month, according to tne U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index was down 0.6 perceno from a year ago and,during the year, its range has been less than one index point. FOOD For the second consecutive month average retail food prices rose slightly (0.2 percent), but the i*ise was not general among all cities or among all foods. Food costs averaged higher in 27 cities, la*er in 17, and were unchanged in 2 of the U6 cities. Major influences on the average change were the substantially higher prices of eggs and poultry and considerably lower prices of coffee, bacon, and ham. However, slight increases were reported for all important groups of food purchased for consumption at home except dairy products. Prices of restaurant meals were virtually unchanged over the month. The liu3 percent increase in the price of eggs, unusual for February, reflected lower production, and followed several months of sharp declines, which brought egg prices in January to the lowest January level since 1950. The 6.7 percent rise in poultry prices continued last month's sudden upturn, which reflected the continued decrease in marketings from smaller numbers of young chicks raised. Pork prices again declined with the pressure of larger supplies. Reductions in prices of bacon and ham were reported in most cities, although prices of pork chops were unchanged on the average. Consumers in all U6 cities benefited from sharp reductions in coffee prices, with decreases ranging from 2.0 to 12.8 percent and averaging 8.3 percent, following Brazil's boosting of subsidies to exporters and lorer wholesale prices in United States markets. The average city price of coffee in mid-February was 97 cents per pound compared with the peak of $1.23 last August. Tea prices again advanced. Retail prices of fruits and vegetables increased slightly. Prices of frozen orange concentrate and canned orange juice, as well as oranges, dropped consistently throughout the Nation. Prices of apples were higher and prices of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, celery, and tomatoes also increased, while prices of carrots, lettuce, and green beans went down from mid-January to mid-February. The index for cereals and bakery products continued to advance, rising 0.3 percent between January and February, largely because of higher bre^d prices. Competitive price cutting for milk was reported in some cities. HOUSING The housing index was unchanged,from January at 119»6, as lower home-ownership costs balanced small increases in residential rents and prices of housefurnishings, gas and electricity, coal and fuel oil. Residential rents continued their slow rise (up 0.2 percent from January^, but iare only 1.1* percent higher than in February 195U, compared with an advance of 5*3 percent from February 1953 to February 195U* Housefurnishings also edged up 0.2 percent from January, with rises in furniture prices and household textiles following the January sales. Lower prices were reported for electrical appliances. 2 OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES this increase. Apparel prices were up fractionally (0.1 percent) between January and February. The reinstatement of regular prices for men's suits in some cities, following January sales, accounted for part of Prices of women's and girls1 clothing and hosiery were little changed. Transportation costs averaged lower than in January, as used car prices declined and dealers in more cities reported new or increased concessions on new cars. Gasoline prices increased in a few cities. Reading and recreation costs showed an overall decline of 0.5 percent, primarily because of sale prices for toys and sporting equipment. The cost of medical care increased slightly (0.2 percent), chiefly as the result of large increases in group hospitalization premiums in two large cities. TABLE 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. C O T AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates February 1955 January 1955 December February 195U 195U Year 1939 June 1950 Group This Month Last Month 2 Months Ago Pretforld War II Pre-Korea Last Year INDEXES ( 1 9 V M 9 = 1 0 0 ) Food at home . Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish . . Dairy products Rent • • . . • • « . . . . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . • . • • • . • . • . « • • . APPAREL 11U.3 11U.3 11U.3 115.0 101.3 59A 110*8 HO. 6 llQ.i; 112.6 100.5 1*7.1 109.6 123.8 109.U 109.2 123.3 112.0 100.5 102.7 102.5 106.1 HO. 7 112.1 106.U 110.6 106.8 108.U 119.6 129.7 109.9 126.2 10U.8 117.7 • • • • • • • • • « (# TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/ . . 121.3 109.7 109.0 108.0 11U.0 92.3 102.5 9^.1 1*6.3 111.3 112.0 119.6 119.7 118.9 10U.9 76.1 129.5 129.U 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.* 99.6 102.2 109.1 125.5 10U.6 117.7 205.U 117.7 127.9 107.5 126.2 107.2 117.3 103.1i 103.3 10U.3 10U.7 96.5 105.6 105.5 97.6 116.7 106.5 107.U 98.1 116.6 99.0 116.9 90.5 127.1* 126.8 127.6 126.5 113.7 106.9 127.3 126.3 129.U 113.6 113.9 119.9 119.9 106.U 119.8 91.1 106.6 86.6 10U.9 56.U 53.* 68.4 52.5 V y y y 93.3 99.5 116.1 90.U 90.6 113.5 U7.1 57.2 kl.6 U9.8 106.1 109.U 126.1 97.7 Footwear 123.U 102. U 102.1 88.U 109.9 12U.1 108.0 120.2 68.9 72.6 105.* 99.2 102.5 103.7 63.0 70.6 June 1954> Year 1939 59.6 PERCENT CHANGE TO FEBRUARY 1955 FROM: POOD 1/ Cereals and bakery products January 1955 December 195U 0 0 - 0.6 12^3 92.U 0.2 o.U - 1.6 10.2 135.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 - 0.3 0.1 0.7 o.U o.U - 2.1 2.1 \J - 1.7 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0 0.2 0.7 0.6 - 0.6 0 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.1 1/ 2/ 2/ - 2.7 2.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 195U 0.3 - 0.7 0 0.1 February - - 2.5 0.6 3.U 15.0 8.0 113.1 139.1 19.1 131.6 1U.0 57.2 19.3 7.0 U9.8 l.U 2.2 0 - 2.2 0.3 7,6 18*2 - 0.9 - 1.2 7.2 1 97.0 - - 7*6 U.7 1U.2 « U/ 5V 0.8 1.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 o.U - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1 1.7 1.8 o.U 17.3 i 0.2 2.5 2.2 15.9 20.3 - o.U - 1.5 - 0.3 U.8 : I f jj 123.8 96.3 72.1 V V 8U.9 7U.7 1U.U 90. u 3.8 15.5 69.7 Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately, Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees, bipial services, etc.). Not available. 132.7 116.U 1U6.U 9.1 20.5 6.6 68.9 k TABIC 2. CONSUMER PRICE W E E X — ALL 3KN5 HVSEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.8. C O T AVERAGE A.*t 20 U B G E CITIES (1935-39=100) ( 1 9 4 7 - ^ 9 - 1 0 0 ) City February 1955 February 1951* January 1955 June 1950 Year 1939 February 1955 1/ U.S. C O T AVERAGE Hii.3 11U.3 115.0 101.8 59.* 191.1 117.1 116.3 llit. 7 112.5 115.7 117.0 116.0 115.U 112.3 ll5.li 116.7 U6.li 116.6 112.8 115.2 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.H 60.1 59.2 199.1 196.3 191.7 186.2 192.5 CITIES HtlCED MONTHLY: Detroit Nev York Philadelphia CITIES PRICED I* FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/ Seattle CITIES PRICED III JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 2/ CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/ Atlanta February 1955 November 19 5U February 15511 May 1950 11U.9 115.7 111.7 116.3 113.2 115.3 116.7 112.3 115.7 113.5 115.2 116.9 113.2 116.2 llii.l Xw J. 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 January 1955 October 195k January April 113.0 115.3 116.5 113.8 UU.6 113.5 115.7 116.9 llU.3 115.2 112.7 115.0 116.6 llli.li 115. U December 195U September 195ii December 1953 June 19*0 115.7 11U.8 113.3 115.U 115.7 116.3 115.2 111*. 3 115.7 116.2 117.1 nil. 5 llii.6 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 116.9 116.9 February 1955 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.U 195.8 195.9 185.6 198.8 185.9 January 1955 101.2 101. U 102.1 y 99.9 101.5 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 181.9 185.6 192.9 193.5 198.5 December l?Sh y 196.2 197.3 190.8 192.6 197.7 58.3 57.9 58.li 59.3 58.6 1/ These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100. 2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. 3/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. %J May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November. TABUS 3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES PROM JANUARY 1955 TO FEBRUARY 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups City U.S. CITY AVERAGE Heir York Philadelphia Food 0 0.2 0 0.1 0 0.5 0.2 0 . 3 Detroit . Housing All Items - 0.6 0.2 0.3 - 0.1 o.5 o.U 0.1 - 2.2 - 0.1 o.U Apparel Transportation Medical Care Personal Care Beading and Recreation Other Goods 8s Services 0.1 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.1 0.6 - 0.1 0.2 - 0.3 0.1 - 0.7 - 0.7 0 0 0.3 0 3.6 0 0.2 0 - 0.2 0.2 o.U 1.3 - 0.6 - 0.1 0.8 - 0.2 - 0.3 0 0.3 - O.U - 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 5 TABIE k. CONSUMER ffilCE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AMD COMMODITY GROUPS February 1 9 5 5 Indexes and Percent Changes, Novenber 19 5U to February 1955 U.S. City Average and 1 0 Cities Priced in February 1955 U.S. CleveCITY Los New AVERAGE Chicago land Detroit Houston Angeles York Group Phila- ScranWashingdelphia ton Seattle ton, D. fbbruary 1955 Indexes (19hl-h9 » 100) 11U.3 ALL ITEMS 110.8 ... ... .•. .. .. . ... . .. . . . . ... Food at home . . . . . Cereals and bakery products . . Heats, poultry and fish Dairy products . . . . Fruits and vegetables . Other foods at home • . Gas and electricity . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Household operation . . Men's and boys' . . . . Women18 and girls' . . Other apparel . . . . . • . . . ... ... . . .. • READING AND RECREATION . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 11U.7 112.5 115.7 111. 7 116.3 113.2 108.7 113.3 110.2 111.1 111.1 113.2 108.7 112.1 no.9 108.9 118.7 99.7 108.7 113.1 111.1 109.U 127.8 101.1 103.0 111.6 lll.U 110.2 128.3 106.2 106.1 105.1 113.2 112.1 121.0 106.U 109.2 113.6 112.9 108.6 118.5 102.0 108.0 107.U 110.3 lll.U 127.U 101.9 106.2 119.U 111.7 109.5 122.5 100.1 110.9 108.5 111.9 123.0 122.7 116.3 11U.U 115.9 120.6 116.U 116.3 102.3 126.9 107.0 119.U 133.2 100.3 103.5 11U.6 109.9 11U.2 13U.7 105.2 101.2 107.3 120.7 96.9 105.3 108.U 117.6 107.7 120.6 99.7 103.0 105.7 115.2 119.6 128.3 121.2 122.2 _ 117.7 106.2 126.2 106.6 121.0 103.U 10U.7 103.6 105.6 97.7 116.6 90.6 110.3 95.6 120.U 107.8 95.9 117.6 92.9 92.7 132.8 127.U 115.3 113.2 131.0 11U.5 116.U 117.7 119.1 126.8 . . . . ... 115.7 112.0 120.0 101.3 106.9 122.2 113.2 127.U MEDICAL CARE 116.3 1U2.5 109.1 12U.1 102.7 111.8 • .. .. .. .. ... ... . .. . . . . 11U.9 108.8 109.6 123.8 102.5 106.1 110.7 112.1 129.7 109.9 126.2 10U.8 . . . • 117.1 113.5 106.U 119.8 Percent Change — ALL ITEMS . • • FOOT) Food at hone . . . . . . Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products • • • • Fruits and vegetables • Other foods at home • • Men's and boys' • • Women's and girls' Footwear Other apparel . • . TRANSPORTATION . . MEDICAL CARE . . . PERSONAL CARE • . • READING AND RECREATION . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 1/ 138.9 106.8 - - 107.2 110.U 101.3 127.0 107.0 108.2 108.6 130.7 105.5 119.0 102.5 106.3 103.9 101.9 105.6 105.U 106.2 108.0 95.1 112.7 87.U 10U.9 100.3 I28.U 108.2 97.0 118<„0 83.0 105.5 95.0 115.8 93.2 10U.6 10U.3 lll.U 92.8 106.8 100.2 120.U 91.5 109.U 100.8 118.6 86.8 105.2 9U.8 11U.7 90.1 121.U 132.3 123.7 120.0 119.6 126.3 130.1 125.0 108.3 10U.1 121.0 137.9 133.6 117.8 112.8 123.9 128.2 119.6 128.5 130.6 118.2 111.5 118.5 116.1 116.0 107. U 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.5 o.5 0.2 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.0 i.U 0.7 0.3 - - 0.8 1.0 l.i o.U 1.5 119.U 107.9 12U.7 90.7 109.7 118.8 - 0.3 0.8 - 0.8 - - 0.5 1.1 - 0.8 - o.5 - 1.0 - 0.8 - 0.3 - - 0.6 0.5 1.0 l.U 3.6 2.5 0.3 2.3 1.3 0.2 - - 0.6 - 0.1 0.1 o.5 - 0.3 0.8 1.8 - 0.9 3.2 - 0.1 - 1.8 1.1 - 0.8 0.6 O.U - 0.1 1.9 - 0.2 - l.U _ - 0.2 - 0.5 - - 0.3 - 0.7 0.2 - - 0.2 1.0 - 2.0 - - 0.3 - O.U 1.0 0.2 0.1 - 0.2 2.0 - l.U o.U - 0.3 - 0.2 o.5 o.U • - - 0.9 - 0.3 - 0.3 0.6 122.8 118.1 97.6 11U.1 - 0.2 - 1.1 0.1 - 2.8 0.1 - 0.6 _ 1.2 0.6 - 0.6 0.3 0.1 - 0.6 0.2 1.7 0.1 - 1.7 0.3 0.3 136.7 88.5 127.6 125.9 1.0 - 0.2 1.0 0.2 1.0 - 2.8 U.8 0 - 0.2 - 2.2 - 2.2 - 1.6 1.0 0.3 - 0.1 0.2 - « _ 3.7 o.U 0.1 0.1 ne.2 116.9 129.0 111.3 10U.3 129.8 3.7 - 0.5 0.3 2.3 - 1.7 - - 0.2 - 1/0.7 0 0.7 - 0.7 1.U 1.5 0.3 6.9 1.0 - 0.3 U.8 - 2.2 0.8 - U.6 - 2.1 - 0.1 - 0 0 0.7 3.U 3.U 0.2 - - 0.1 2.0 0.7 _ 1/1.1 6.U 0.3 0 - 1.6 - 0.1 0.8 - 2.U - 0.8 - 0.3 o.U - 1.1 -0.1 - 1.6 - o.U - 0.3 - 0.2 - 1.U 0.2 - 0.9 0.6 o.U 0 0.2 - 0.2 - 2.1 0 0.3 0.3 - - - - - h.k 0.3 0 0 - l.U - 0.5 - 0 - 1.0 - 0.6 0.8 0.2 - 0.3 0 - 0.3 - 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 - - - - 1.7 3.1 ' 3.7 0.3 - 2.3 - 0.1 o.U 0.6 - 1.9 - 0.3 1/' 0 0.5 0.3 - 0.1 0.2 1.0 - 1.2 1/0.6 2.2 0.5 2.0 - 1.7 0.7 0 2.3 1.7 1.6 0.3 0.9 - 2.0 o.i o.U l.i 113.6 November 19 5U to February 1955 - 0.9 o.U Change from August 195U to February 1 9 5 5 . 109.0 119.9 - 0.5 - 0.3 HOUSING Rent . . . . . . . Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings • Household operation 119.5 _ 0.9 0.3 0.2 - o.U - 0.2 0.3 0.7 2.9 0 - o.U 1.0 0 - - l.U - 1.7 - 0.1 - o.U 0.3 0.3 0.3 - 0.3 - 0.1' 6 TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE HIDE* — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS February 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, January 1955 to February 1955 U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities (1947-1*9 _ ioo) Total Food at Home Percent Index Change Pood Index U.S. CITY AVERAGE • • • .•• Houston • • • New York . . Philadelphia Portland, Ore. St. Louis . . San Francisco Scranton . . • .•• ••• Washington, D.C. • Percent Change Dairy Products Percent Index Change Fruits A Vegetables Percent Index Change Other Foods at Home Percent Index Change 110.8 0.2 109.6 0.2 123.8 0.3 102.5 0.1 106.1 - 0.3 110.7 0.1 112.1 0.7 - 0.1 0.1 1.1 0 0.2 - 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.4 - 0.1 108.3 110.3 107.9 107.3 111.1 107.7 112.0 108.9 105.7 109 .k - 0.2 0.1 117.7 122.2 119.0 120.7 124.8 120.6 120.0 118.7 120.6 127.8 0.1 0.2 - 0.1 3.3 - 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 106.3 104.2 100.6 96.9 103.9 99.7 101.3 99.7 97.0 101,1 0.5 - 0.4 1.0 - 0.9 0.2 - 0.2 0.3 2.2 - 0.5 - 0.7 108.4 108.5 110.7 105.3 110.3 103.0 IO6.9 108.7 108.6 103.0 - 0.1 0.4 0.7 0 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.6 108.9 108.7 107.5 108.4 106.9 105.7 122.2 113.1 103.4 111.6 - 3.1 0.6 2.4 - 0.8 - 0.3 0.5 0.6 0 0.7 - 0.9 104.1 112.2 106.2 117.6 117.4 115.2 113.2 111.1 106.6 111.4 0.9 0.5 2.2 0.8 0.8 - 0.6 1.0 - 0.6 1.8 2.0 0.8 0.5 0.4 0 110.5 110.2 112.1 110.1 108. k 109. k 112.1 108.6 111.4 109.5 125.8 128.3 121.0 124.5 123.9 118.8 130.2 118.5 127.4 122.5 0.1 0.8 0.2 0.2 - 0.5 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.5 0 0 0.9 1.3 0.1 0.1 1.8 0 0.3 0.2 0.6 1.3 102.4 106.1 109.2 109.7 102.5 93.9 105.0 108.0 106.2 110.9 - 0.3 0 - 0.3 - 0.3 0 - 4.5 0.2 0 0.3 - 0.2 116.6 105.1 113.6 108.5 111.7 117.4 115.6 107.4 119.4 IO8.5 1.4 - 0.8 2.1 1.1 1.1 0.3 1.3 2.8 1.0 0.4 121.5 113.2 112.9 119.3 109.3 119.5 112.3 110.3 111.7 111.9 2.1 0.8 0.9 - 0.9 0 0.2 2.5 0.5 1.6 0.5 111.1 111.1 113.2 111.0 109.2 111.7 113.0 108.7 112.1 110.9 - 0.3 - 0.4 0.6 o.k 0.8 - 0.1 1.3 0.2 0.3 - 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1.0 0.5 0.5 0 - o.k - 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.5 - 0.3 CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS* Flour, wheat 5 lb. Biscuit mix 20 oz. Corn meal lb. Rice lb. Rolled oats 20 oz. Corn flakes 12 oz. Bread, white lb. Soda crackers lb. Vanilla cookies 7 oz. MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH: lb. Round steak lb. Chuck roast lb. Rib roast lb. Hamburger lb. Veal cutlets lb. Pork chops, center cut lb. Bacon, sliced lb. Ham, whole lb. Lamb, leg lb. Frankfurters 12 oz. Luncheon meat, canned lb. Frying chickens, dressed lb. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook lb. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen 16 oz. Salmon, pink, canned 7 oz. Tuna fish, canned DAIRY PRODUCTS: qt. Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) pt. Ice cream lb. Butter lb. Cheese, American process 14 Milk, evaporated h oz. can FRUITS AND VEGETABIES: Frozen 10 oz. Strawberries 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 10 oz. Pfeas, green 10 oz. Beans, green lb. lb. doz. lb. • Priced only in season. 1/ Formerly published as sweet gherkins. 98.3 106.2 106.4 98.6 102.1 102.2 105.7 102.0 101.9 100.1 - - - RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR FEBRUARY 1955 AND JANUARY 1955 U.S. City Average February 1955 Food and Unit Heats, Poultry & Fish Percent Index Change 110.1 111.7 109.4 108.7 111.9 108.8 113.3 110.2 107.3 111.1 TABLE 6. Fresh Apples Bananas Oranges, size 200 Lemons Cereals & Bakery Products Percent Index Change January 1955 (Cents) 54.1 27.4 12.6 17.6 18.9 22.0 17.7 27.0 23.8 (Cents) 92.1 52.6 72.4 39.7 113.0 75.7 69.0 61.3 68.6 92.8 52.6 73.2 40.1 109.4 75.7 70.6 62.8 68.6 53.8 48.1 42.8 51.6 53.* 46.3 46.3 54.6 43.4 48.1 54.2 38.0 27.4 12.6 17.6 18.7 22.0 17.6 27.2 23.8 48.0 53.9 38.2 22.1 23.2 29.2 71.2 57.8 13.7 22.2 23.2 29.2 71.6 56.8 13.7 30.7 17.6 19.4 24.2 30.6 18.3 19.5 24.3 14.2 16.8 44.6 18.5 13.7 16.7 18.7 Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * each Peaches * lb. Strawberries * pt. Grapes, seedless * lb. Watermelons * lb. Potatoes 10 lb. Sweetpotatoes lb. Onions lb. Carrots lb. Lettuce head lb. Celery lb. Cabbage lb. Tomatoes lb. Beans, green Canned 46 oz. can Orange juice Peaches #2ftcan Pineapple #2ftcan #2ftcan Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style #303 can Peas, green #303 can Tomatoes #303 can Baby foods 4ft-5oz. Dried lb. Prunes lb. Navy beans OTHER FOODS AT HOME: 11 oz. can Vegetable soup 16 oz. can Beans with pork 7ftoz. Pickles, sweet 1/ 14 <*z. Catsup, tomato lb. Coffee it lb. Tea Cola drink carton of 6, 6 oz. lb. Shortening, hydrogenated lb. Margarine, colored lb. Lard pt. Salad dressing lb Peanut butter 5 lb. Sugar 24 oz. Corn syrup 12 oz. Grape Jelly 7/8 oz. Chocolate bar doz. Eggs, Grade A, large 3-4 oz. Gelatin, flavored February 1955 (Cents) 9.6 54.0 14.4 January 1Q55 (Cents) 9.8 7.7 13.2 17.0 15.1 8.7 30.5 27.4 52.6 13.4 7.8 14.2 17.4 14.4 9.0 29.8 28.3 33.1 33.2 38.9 40.9 17.2 21.5 14.9 9.7 34.3 33.1 38.9 40.8 17.4 21.5 14.9 9.7 32.5 18.6 32.2 18.4 14.2 14.8 28.3 22.2 97.0 38.9 32.5 35.3 29.3 21.9 35.H 52.6 52.3 23.7 25.8 4.6 59.0 8.6 14.2 14.7 28.4 22.3 105.8 37.1 32.5 35.3 29.4 23.1 35.5 51.1 52.3 23.7 25.9 4.6 51.6 8.6 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF TRE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 7 The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families . Index numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^9 s 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-^9 average* For the convenience of users, indexes are also calculated on the base 1935-39 • 100# About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among these are all the important items that vage and clerical workers buy, and they are selected so that their average price change trill be representative of the price changes on all items. Prices are collected in k6 cities which are representative of all cities in the United States. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced every month in eacn city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families. Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are Included in the U.S. average: Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, V. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N. Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, W. Virginia Laconla, New Hampshire Lodi, California lynchburg, Virginia Madill, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletovn, Connecticut Newark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpolnt, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstovn, Ohio In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their Importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average. Comparison of city Indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or less than in another. City Indexes do not measure differences in price level between cities. A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their weights, cities Included, and an explanation of the index calculation, Its uses and limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. llkO - "The Consumer Price Index - A Layman's Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents. A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C. Historical series of index numbers for the U*S. city average and 80 individual large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 19^7 to date.
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