Full text of CPI Detailed Report : January 1953

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

issued February 27, 1953
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.

EXECUTIVE 3-2i|20
Moffatt — Ext.53

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
JANUARY 1953

Consumer Price Index Declines 0.2 Percent
Between December and January as Meat
Prices Drop 1.9 Percent

I M P O R T A N T
=

: This report presents the Consumer Price Index for
s January 1953 for the average of U.S. cities and for
j individual cities. The measurement of price change
: from December 1952 to January 1953 is based on the
: revised index structure, incorporating revised
% weights, an expanded sample of items and a revised
5 sample of cities, as announced in the Memorandum to
i Users accompanying the December 1952 report. Infors mation about the index revision is available upon
i request. See the General Explanation at the end of
; this report.

Retail prices of goods and services bought by moderate-income urban families
averaged 0.2 percent lower in January than in December according to the revised Consumer
Price Index calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Chiefly responsible for the downward movement were generally lower prices for food and
apparel, down on the average of 0.6 and 0.5 percent, respectively. The Reading and
Recreation and the Personal Care group indexes, here available for the first time, were
also slightly lower than a month ago. The Transportation and Medical Care indexes rose
slightly over the month, while the Housing index and the index for Other Goods and Services
were unchanged.
Prices in most of the large cities priced both in December and January decreased
over the month, and price decreases on the average were approximately the same for cities
of all sizes*
The index for January 1953 was 113*9, calculated on the base 19i*7-^9«100. This
was 0.7 percent higher than a year ago. This index on the base previously used (193539=100) was 190.2*.
FOOD

The U.S. food index, now based on U6 cities, declined to 113.1 (19U7-i*9«100),
1.7 percent below a year ago, but 12.5 percent above June 1950. The decline over
the month was due chiefly to lower prices for meat, poultry, and fish in most cities, and
especially in large cities. Prices reported for beef and veal, lamb, and poultry, all
dropped about k percent over the month. Pork prices showed about a 2 percent increase.
Dairy products declined 1.0 percent, with lower prices for milk and butter. The
index for the new subgroup, "Other Foods at Home,11 was 0.8 percent lower, as decreases
were reported in the prices of eggs, fats and oils, and sugar and sweets. The Cereals and
Bakery Products index showed no change, and the Fruits and Vegetables index rose 0.8 percent, with the largest increases in medium-sized and small cities. Higher prices for fresh
vegetables, especially green beans, carrots, and tomatoes, were responsible for the rise
in the Fruits and Vegetables index. Apple prices increased in most cities while prices for
oranges dropped substantially. Restaurant meal prices showed little change.
Retail food prices further declined about 1.0 percent between January 15 and
January 26 according to preliminary estimates, based on 6 cities»



2
HOUSING The new Housing index was unchanged over the month, at 116.h, 2.2 percent above a
year ago. Some subgroups rose from December to January, and others fell. There
was an 0.5 percent decrease over the month in prices for housefurnishings, reflecting
January white sales and lower sale prices for some major household appliances which occurred
in most cities. Residential rents increased 0.3 percent over the month. Rent increases
reflected principally the continued effect of decontrol in. a number of large cities and a
few small cities. Among the large cities, sizeable increases were reported in Portland,
Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit. There were small advances in gas and electricity bills and
solid fuels and fuel oil prices. Prices of home maintenance and repair items (priced for
the first time) were slightly higher, but other items of home-owner costs were estimated to
have remained unchanged over the month.
APPAREL The Apparel index continued to decline and was 0.5 percent lower in January than
in December, as substantial seasonal decreases were reported for a number of winter
apparel items. Average prices of men's and boys' apparel, women's and girls' apparel and
footwear all were lower with almost all cities sharing in the general downward movement.
OTHER
The Transportation index rose 0.3 percent as scattered increases were reported for
GROUPS new automobiles, auto repairs and automobile insurance. Transit fares were raised
in Philadelphia. Prices of Medical Care were 0.1 percent higher than in December,
as hospital fees and charges for professional services increased in the cities priced in
January. Decreases of 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent were reported for Personal Care and
Reading and Recreation, the latter due to lower prices for radios and television sets. Movie
admissions were higher in a number of cities.
General Price Situation
No significant new developments were apparent in the general retail price situation.
The January decline in the Consumer Price Index was a reflection of normal January influences and parallels recent price changes in primary markets. The all-items index dropped
to the lowest level since June 1952 and food to the lowest point since March 1952 while
apparel prices are lower than for the last 2 years. In contrast, a number of other groups—
particularly the services and rent—continued to edge upward. Except for a few items, such
as rents, gasoline, etc., the general decontrol of prices and wages, which was very nearly
complete by the end of February, had not occasioned any substantial price advances at retail.
Some decline in retail food prices is usual in January, but the fall in prices of
beef and poultry was much greater than usual. The decreases followed substantial reductions
in primary markets, especially on beef because of recent heavy marketing of steers, and
preliminary reports indicate that further declines will be recorded for February. Pork prices
increased at wholesale and retail, reflecting comparatively low supply.
Apparel and housefurnishings sales were prevalent as usual this Jaiuary despite
the general decontrol of prices of most apparel in late November and early December. Since
October, the apparel index has declined almost 1 percent and by January was more than 2
percent below last January. Housefurnishings also dropped more than 2 percent over the
year in spite of the normal price adjustments which accompanied introduction of some 1953
models of major household appliances.
Most other groups—predominantly services—are still considerably above a year ago,
although generally they have risen less than commodities from prewar prices.




: OLD SERIES: The Bureau has resumed compilation of the Old Series :
:~
index, as directed by the President on January 30• •
: It is expected that the first of the Old Series indexes for 1953 :
swill be available about the first week in April.
:

TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — U.S. AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates

npnTrp
LuiUUr

January
1953

December
1952

November
1952

January
1952

This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

J

|

June
1950

j Pre-Korea

3

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES (19U7-U9 « 100)
ALL ITEMS

113.9

llli.l

llii.3

113.1

j

101.8

59.ii

FOOD 2/

113.1

113.8

115.0

115.0

j

100.5

ii7.1

112.9
117.7
110.9
111.6
116.7
109.7

113.8
117.7
113.0
112.7
115.8
110.6

115.0

117.5
llii.3
113.3
115.9
llii. 3

!

100.5

ii7.1
57.2
ill.6
ii9.8
US.3
y

116.U

116 .h

115.7

113.9

10ii.9

y

121.1
105.9
123.3
107.7

n3.i1

120.7
105.6
123.2
108.2
113.ii

119.5
I05.ii
121.6
108.0
113.3

116.0
103.5
117.7
110.2
110.9

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.il
99.6

86.6
10k.9
56.ii
53.U
y

10ii.6

105.1

105.2

107.0

96.5

52.5

109.9

y

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING 3/
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Hous efurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL V

i
!

115.0
115.3
117.1
112.0
118.2
109.1

;

S

i

j

|

!

102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
9ii.l

TRANSPORTATION

129.3

128.9

128.9

122.8

MEDICAL CARE

119.ii

119.3

118.9

nil.7

105.ii

y

PERSONAL CARE

112.U

112.5

112.1.

111.0

99.2

y

READING AND RECREATION

107.8

108.0

107.ii

107.2

102.5

y

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/

115.9

115.9

115.8

n3.2

103.7

y

January
1952

June
1950

Year
1939

PERCENT CHANGE TO JANUARY 1953 FROM;
December
1952

November
1952

ALL ITEMS

- 0.2

- 0.3

0.7

11.9

91.8

FOOD 2/

- 0.6

- 1.7

- 1.7

12.5

liiO.l

- 0.8
0
- 1.9
- 1.0
0.8
- 0.8

- 1.8
0.2
- 3.0
- 1.5
0.7
- ii.O

- 1.8
2.1
- 5.3

- 1.3
o.5

- o.h

12.3
lii.6
U.5
20.9
13.9
16.6

139.7
105.8
166.6
12U.1
152.1
126.7

1/

0.6

2.2

11.0

53.0

1/

2/

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING 3/

0
0.3
0.3
0.1
- 0.5
0

1.3
o.5
l.il
- 0.3
0.1

il.il
2.3
ii.8
- 2.3
2.3

ll.il
3.1
lii.6
10.6
13.9

39.8
1.0
118.6
101.7
65.8

- 0.5

- 0.6

- 2.2

8.ii

99.2

TRANSPORTATION

0.3

0.3

5.3

17.7

87.7

1/

MEDICAL CARE

0.1

o.U

V
1/
1/
V

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefumishings
Household operation
APPAREL k/

h.l

13.3

6ii.5

PERSONAL CARE

- 0.1

0

1.3

13.3

88.6

READING AND RECREATION

- 0.2

o.ii

0*6

5.2

71.1

0

0.1

2.ii

n.8

6ii.2

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/
V
2j
3/
U/
5/

See General Explanation at end of tables.
Includes "Food away from home" for which indexes will be available later in 1953.
Includes "Other shelter" for which indexes will be available later in 1953.
Indexes for subgroups of apparel will be available later in 1953*
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial
services, etc.).
6/ Not available. Indexes for 1939 will be published when calculations are couple ted.
7/ Approximate.




1*

TABLE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — .ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities

City

( 1 9 1* 7 - 1* 9 December
November
1952
1952

January
1953

U.S. AVERAGE 2/

113.9

lUi.l

!j

11U.3

1 0 0 )
January
1952
|j

;

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:

;

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

1lh.6
116.0
115.3
112.0
lll*.7

lll*.2
115.7
115.k
111.7
Ilk. 3

|
|
j
i
|
it

113.1

i
1

(1935-39 = 100)
January
1953

101.8

190.1*

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

1914.5
195.3
192.8
181*o9
190.2

|
t
lll*.0
113.7
113.7
111.3
113.5

115.1
115.3
115.1
112.9
111* .7

June
1950

!|
1I

\
\
i

CITIES PRICED IN JAN., APR.,
JULY, OCT. 3/
112.1
111*. 3
llluli
112.6
11U.6

Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
'Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.
CITIES PRICED IN MR., JUNE,
SEPT., DEC. 3/

jj

j

i
'
j

I

1
1
1j

I

1 1 5 . 6 5/
112.1* ~
111.6
11U.0
113.0

117.1 5/ i
-liU.l* ~ i
112.5
1
lU*. 9
1
115.6
1

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

i

December
1951

}

CITIES PRICED IN FEB., MAY,
AUG., NOV. 3/
113.6
116.0
113.1
115.6
113.8

112.7
115.2
111.6
113.9
112.5

180.5
181*. 0
189.1*
191.1*
198.5

June
1950

:

December
1952
1 9 8 . 6 5/
196.7 ~
189.5
191.8
197.6

1 0 1 . 3 5/
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

!

November
1951

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.c.

i

101.2
101.ii
1 0 2 . 1 1*/
99.9 ~
101.5

111.8
113.2
1 1 3 . 3 h/
113.1 ~
111*. 9

i

i

»

April
1950

May
1950

November
1952
193.6
196.1*
187.9
197.6
186.9

loo. U

|!
!1
jI

103.5
100.2
102.0

;

101.6

1/
7/

See General Explanation at end of tables,
The U.S. Average is based on prices collected in 1*6 cities. In addition to the 20 cities listed individually, 26 cities
are included in the national average. Indexes are not calculated for these 26 cities.
3/ Foods, fuels, rents and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
T*/ December 1951 and June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
]>/ November 1952, November 1951 and May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3. CONSUMER. PRICE INDEX 1/ — PERCENT CHANGES FROM DECEMBER 1952 TO JANUARY 1953
U.S. Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

City
U.S. AVERAGE
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

All
Items

Food

- 0.2

- 0.6

- 0.3
- 0.3
0.1
- 0.3
- 0.3

"

1.0
1.1
0.3
0.7

Housing
0
- 0.1
0.2
0.2
0
0.2

Apparel

Reading
Personal
&
Recreation
Care

Medical
Care

- 0.5

0.3

0.1

- 0.1

- 0.2

- 0.7
0.1
- 0.6
- 0.1
- 1.2

0.7
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.6

0.1
- 0.1
0
Q

- 0.3
0.2
- 0.1
- o.i
0.1

- 0.7
- 0.1
1.3
0.3
1.1

See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of t a b l e s .




Transportation

;
|

Other
Goods &
Services
0
- 0.1
- 0.1

r.

0

5

TABLE U. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
January 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, October 1952 to January 1953
U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in January

City

All
Items

Total
Food

Rent

Total

2/

Housing
Solid
Gas &
Fuels
Elec&
triFuel
city
Oils

y

!
Housefurnishings

Household
Operation

Medi-

Trans-

porta-

Apparel

cal

tion

ReadOther
ing & Goods &
Recre- Seration
vices

Personal
Care

Care

5/

V

January 1953 Indexes (19U7-1*9 = 100)
U.S. AVERAGE
Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas Qity
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

1 1 3 . 9 j| 1 1 3 . 1

ll6.li

121.1

105.9

123.3

107.7

112.1
llU.2
115.7

11U.8
119.1
118.6
ll6.li
122.2
115.9
112.6
112.7
113.7
118.1

116.a i 1 0 5 . 5

12U.7
122.0
117.
113.2

106.a

llh.3

115.U

11U.U
111.7
11U.3
112.6
llU.6

111.3
111.2
115.9
110.2
llii.l
113.9
112.1i
115.5
113.0
112.6

100.0
109.8
102.6
108.7
106.3
108.0
101.8
113.7
118.6

120.5
no.a
126.8

Percent Change —
U.S. AVERAGE
Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

-

0.3

- 1.1
-

0.7

0.2
-

0.8

0.5
-

1.0

-

1.7

-

3.h

;

0.8

-

3.6

!i

2.a

2.1

;

-

- 3.7
o.a

i

1-

- 2.0

n.a.

-1.8

o.a

o.a
0
6.6

1.2

0.6

0.9

n.a. j

3.3
0.8

n.a.

- 0.3 - 1 . 5
- 0.7 - 1 . 9
- 0.3 - 2.2

1.9

n.a.
0.5

1.0

0.9
1.9
- 3.5
0.1

1.3

i.a

113.7
130.2
i25.a

120.3

111.6

;

107.6
107.0 : 1 1 7 . 5
109.9 i 1 0 7 . 7
106.2
118.2
110.7
106.5
112.0
105.7
108.8
116.9
110.1
111.1
106.2
116.3
110.8
109.2

ioa.6 :

13U.2
I3a.5
126.1
130.6
125.8
120.7
127.8
133.3

ioa.3

126.3

103.U

j

129.3

! 102.8
; 106.0
s 102.7
i 106.1
| ioa.6
i 105.3
; 105.7
103.9

;
i!
|i
!i

119.a |; 1 1 2 . a ;! 1 0 7 . 8 1 1 1 5 . 9
106. a
1 2 3 . 3 !1 n o . a
115.1
117.1
llh.3 : 1 0 8 . 8 ; 1 1 0 . 5
119.1 ! 1 1 1 . 0
120.7
116.7
119.1
109.a ! 1 1 5 . 5
111+.9
1 1 8 . 5 1 1 7 . 9 i o a . 9 :! 1 1 1 . 7
121.2
125.1
113.7
117.3
116.6
121.3
105.9
107.
110.6
119.5
116.3
120.5
116.8
98.a 1 1 7 . 0
105.5
116.1
1
1
1
.
8
117.5
na.a

i

a

139.a

October 1952 to January 1953
1.8
1.9
0.7
0.8

1.5
0

3.7
0

5.3

2.1

13.0

1.2

0

1.1

a

: 113.a i

j-

j 0.5 j|

0.2

|1

- 0.2

;

-

0.9

0.5

- 0.2
o . a i - 0.2
- 0.6 ;
0 . 1 j - 0.2
! n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
0.1

-

-

-

0,7

i! i . 5
;

0.3

o.5

0.1

0

0.1
-

0.2

o.a

!

0.7

o.a

0.6
;

0.7
0.2

0.5 i

!:
:

|

n.a.

:

0

2.7 | - 1.1 :
a . i i - 0.8
1.9 j - 1.8 !

0.5 i
0.9 ;
0.5 j

1

0.7

-

0.1

0„8

-

0.3
0.2

-

0

n.a.

0.2

0

- 0.2 ;
0.1

!

o.a

- 0.2

- 0.1

1.3
0

n.a.

n.a. •
1

0.3

1.9
0.8
- 7.5
-

0.3

0.5

; - 2.6 i

o.5

-

-

- 0.3 i

- 0.3

0.1

1.2
0.1

0.1

1!

n.a. !

- 0.2
-

0.2

1

- 0.3

o.a

1

1

0.1 ,

,

; - 0.3

0.3 i
1.5 ;

i

0.1 |

j - 0.8

1

0
0.1

0.2

0

1

!

See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables,
n.a. - Not available.

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
January 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, December 1952 to January 1953
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities
(19U7-U9 - 100)

City

Total Food y
iPercent
i Index jChange

U.S. AVERAGE

113.1

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati

112.5
112.7
111.3

Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.
St. Louis
San Franc?*.sco
Scranton
Seattle
Wasrin^tcr " ,




- 0.6
- o.a
- 0.7

Meats, Poultry
Tolal
Cereals &
Fish
Food at Home
Bakery Products
Percent
Percent
] Percent
Index (Change
Index |Change
Index Change
117.7

110.9

- 1.9

112 .a ! - 0.5

115.2

0.2
113.2
0.2
112.1
0.3
107.7
0.1
105.6
0.6 ; 112.0

1.1
2.0
2.1
2.5
o.a

0.2 i 107.8
0.5 | 111.8
0
j 109.5
0.3 j 108.3
0
| 113.2

2.2

112.3

0
0
0.2
0.1
0

0.2
2.5
2.8
2o7
0.8

- 0.6

- 0.7

111.0 ! - 1.2 115.7
117.7
113.5 i - o.8

- 1.0

110.8

- 1.0

; - 1.1

113.8

- 0.5

- 1.8

110.7
115.7
113.7
109.7

llii.l

- 0.3

lllwO ! - o.a

115.9

110.2

- 1.1

113,9

- 0.6

112.ii

- 0.7

115.5
113.0
112.6

- 1.2

ili.3

116.8

I - 1.3

llli.ii

11U.8

I - 0.6 llk.l
; - 2.2 117.ii
s

- 1.1

113.8 ! - 0.7
112.2 S - 0.9
115.3
i.h
112.8 j - 1.2

- 0.1

112.6

1 - 0.1

- 1.2

113.2

!-

- 1.5
m.2
- 0.6
112.0
- l.l
113.3
- 0.2
111 .a
3.6
- 0.7
eneral Exrian&tion

- c.5

117.2

117.2

119.0

121.1

118.0

117.5
113.U
111.9

116.2
up., o

I 107.9
i 113.8
j 113.14
| 106.5

112.2

:.i i irs-.c

0.1 ! 112.1
0.1
0.2
FTT~7~

i lob.d
lOQ..

1.1
1.5
2.5
1.8

Fruits .
Vegetables

Other
Foods at Home

Percent
jPercent,
Percent
Index Change Index 'change j Index Change

, - 0.8

112.9

112.6 ' - 0.8
111.2 - 0.7

111.2
113.6

Dairy
Products

111.6

115.0

- 1.0
0.8

in.5

112.2

0.1

111.6

2.7

110.0

112.8
116.1

107.1

113.0
110.7
106.3
11U.0
113.1
11C.7
111.3
112. r
ii]..
112.1
II;.7

116.7

119.0

0.8

109.7

- 0.8

0.2
0.3

103.1

O.h

• 1.2
- 0.8
- 0.2

107.6

2.6

2.7

115.9
116.5
113.3
115.7

0.3

103.7
115.5
11U.3

0.6
1.1
0.3
6.9
0

lll.l
126.7
119.3
111.5
112.9

0
1.7

109*5
109.9

- 1.14

1.h
o.h
o.h

106.0

- 0.9

112 0 6

0.1

1.7
1.0
1.6

122.3

115.1
108.3
109.li
115.3

- 1.3

- 0.1

- 1.7

2.1

0.2

112.6

121.3

116.0

O.h
o.5

0.2

111.6

112.8

llii.2

116.0

1.2

116.6

116.9

0.3
0.3
1.U

110.8
108.8
11C. 3
107.6

16. k
19.3
12.7

1.0

-

0.3
l.h

- 1.6
- l.h

0

- 0.7
0.1

0

- O.h
0
0.1

6

GENERAL EXPLANATION

The Consumer Price Index (revised January 1953) measures the average change in
prices of goods and services purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families.
The goods and services included in the index "market basket" are those required to maintain the level of living characteristic of such families in 1952. The quantities and
qualities of the items in the "market basket" remain the same between consecutive pricing
periods, so that the index measures the effect of price change only on the cost of living
of these families.
The indexes are presented on a base of 1947-49*100. The index numbers thus show
the average increase or decrease in prices from the 1947-49 average. (For convenience
of users, the indexes are also shown on the base 1935-39«100). The city indexes do not
indicate whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Comparisons of city
indexes show only whether prices have risen more or less in one city than another since
the base period.
The Bureau has been compiling the Consumer Price Index for nearly 40 years. At
four different times it has been necessary to bring the "market basket" of goods and services up to date and to modernize the samples and methods of calculation. The indexes in
this report are revised as of January 1953* The "market basket" is based on extensive
surveys of postwar expenditure patterns of city families, and reflects changes that have
occurred since prewar in the amounts, kinds and qualities of things people buy, as well as
new things that were not part of our pattern of living a few years ago.
About 300 items are priced to estimate the average change in prices of all items
in the "market basket." Among these items are all the important goods and services that
wage and clerical workers buy. Prices are collected at regular intervals, and the successive prices are compared to determine price changes. The items priced are described
by detailed specifications to insure that as far as possible, the same quality is priced
each time, and that differences in reported prices are measures of price change only.
Prices are obtained in a sample of 46 cities representative of all cities in the U.S.,
including the 12 largest urban areas with populations over 1 million, 9 other large cities,
9 medium-sized cities, and 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by stores
of various kinds and by service establishments and individuals (such as physicians and
dentists) from whom wage and clerical workers buy goods and services.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced monthly in all cities.
Prices of most other goods and services are obtained on a regular rotating pricing cycle—
monthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 25 large and medium-sized cities, and
every 4 months in the 16 smallest cities. In any given month, goods and services other
than foods, fuels and rents are priced in 17 or 18 cities out of the 46. Price collection
extends over 3 or 4 weeks, centered on the 15th of the month. Prices for a few items
(e.g., auto insurance, railroad fares) are computed from published sources.
Food. Food prices are collected monthly from chain and representative independent
food stores in all 46 cities, during the first 3 days of the week which includes the 15th
of the month. Prices for restaurant meals are based on menus collected on the regular
pricing cycle for each city as described above.
Rent. Rents are obtained each month by mail from tenants of representative samples
of dwellings in each of the 46 cities, and once every 2 years by personal visit, when
local samples of dwellings are also reviewed. The rent index measures changes in rent
from one period to another for the same rented dwellings, with the same facilities,
furnishings and services.
Other Shelter. Materials and services for house maintenance and repair are priced
on the regular city pricing cycle. Prices of houses, fire insurance rates, mortgage
interest and taxes, which change only occasionally, are obtained annually or biennially,
and changes estimated between pricing dates. Sales prices of houses are obtained from
records of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
Fuels, including Gas and Electricity. Prices prevailing on the 15th of the month
are collected monthly by mail from fuel dealers and utility companies in 1*6 cities.



7
All Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and Rents. Prices are collected
in person, on the city cycle described above, from samples of representative department
stores, apparel and shoe stores, housefurnishings and appliance dealers, barber shops,
beauty shops, doctors, hospitals, moving picture theaters, etc. Prices for such items
as newspapers, street car and bus fares, and telephone service are collected by mail.
Prices of used cars are obtained from car dealers through a trade association.
Price changes for all items in each city are combined in accordance with their
importance in the "market basket" for that city to obtain an average price change for
that city. Price changes for the h6 cities are combined for the U.S. with the use of
1950 population data. Each city is given an importance or weight proportionate to the
wage-earner and clerical-worker population it represents in the index. The 12 largest
cities, each weighted by its own population, when combined have about two-fifths of
the total weight in the national index. Each of the 3 other city-size groups has about
one-fifth of the total weight; i.e., the 9 other large cities, the 9 medium-sized cities,
and the 16 small cities. City indexes are compiled for the 20 largest of the h6 cities
priced for the national average. The remaining 26 cities in which prices are collected
are :
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyoming
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ohio

The present index, as described above, has been linked (spliced) to the "interim
adjusted" Consumer Price Index for 3b cities, issued through December 1952, to form a
continuous series back to 1913* 1/
For detailed descriptions of the Consumer Price Index, its uses and limitations,
see the following:
"The Consumer Price Index," A Short Description of the Index as Revised, 1953•
"The Revised Consumers1 Price Index—A Summary of Changes in the Index and
Suggestions for Transition from the 1 Interim Adjusted' and f01d Series1
Indexes to the Revised Index."
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 1039: "Interim Adjustment of the
Consumers1 Price Index."
January 1951 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
December 1952 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
Monthly Labor Review articles:
The Revised Consumer Price Index
Adjusted Consumers1 Price Index:
Interim Adjustment of Consumers1
Selection of Cities for Consumer
Revision of the Consumers1 Price

(February 1953)*
Relative Importance of Items (June 1951)•
Price Index (April 1951)*
Expenditure Survey-1950 (April 1951)•
Index (July 1950).

1/ See December 1952 report, "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Tables
of rebased "interim adjusted" indexes for the U. S. and for 20 cities are available
upon request.




U.

S.

DEPARTMENT

BUREAU OF LABOR

WASHINGTON 2 5 ,
OFFICIAL
PERMIT

OF
D.

BUSINESS
NO.




LABOR

STATISTICS

106 4-

C.

P E N A L T Y FOR
PAYMENT

P R I V A T E USE
OF P O S T A G E .

T O A\
$300

Insula April 6, 1953

U.S. DEPART!SWT OF L-JBOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
: : 3hinfrton 25, D«C.
t
,

i

Executive 3-2ii20
rioffatt - biMtonsiorj 532
_

,

r<-Qcr?v E

.

^
t

'

^

/-<••.TV
C \ T V

" K A N S A S

"OLD 3 .RI^S" CONSUMERS1 PRICE INEEX FOR J/JiU&ftr AND FEBR

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U%S* Department of Labor issued
'today the re instituted 11 old series" Consumers! Price Indexes for the months of
• January and February 1953 • The index for January .{1935~39»1CX)) was 190
&
decline of O.h percent from the preceding month of December
The index
declined 0,9 percent further in February to 188*6* The decline over the quarter,
October to January was 0*6 percent; and over the quarter, November to February,
was 1,6 percent*. The chief factor in the declines in both January and. February
was the continued downturn in food prices, particularly the prices of meats.
& & * & * *

* *

* # * * ^

* #

*

The "old series" is the series of consumers1 price indexes discontinued
at the end ox 1952 and reinstituted by direction of President Eisenhower and
Secretary of Labor Martin P. Durkin in response to requests of both labor and
management groups having wage contracts based on this "old series," The Bureau
of Labor Statistics will publish these "old series" indexes through the indexes
for June 1953•
In rein sti. tut inn the "old series," the Bureau has followed in general
the practices and procedures previously used in the compilation of .these indexes,
The items priced, the cities in which prices are collected, the weights used to
combine them, and the calculation methods.are those which have been regularly
used in the "old series ' in 195^ and several preceding years t
The indexes for February and succeeding months do not differ from what
they would have been if the series had never been interrupted.
For the January index the Bureau used some supplementary pricing and
compilation methods,, Prices currently collected.in January were available for
about 79 percent of the index weight normally priced in January; another 15 percent
were satisfactorily collected in February,(called "back-pricing"); the remaining
6 percent, chiefly fresh fruits and vegetables, were estimated on the basis of
prices collected in other cities in December, January and February. Standard
estimating methods were used®
For users of the index who wish more detailed information, the Bureau
has prepared a factual summary ex the methods and procedures, rhich is available
upon request. In addition, the Bureau has maintained a complete record of its
procedures in compiling the January indiox*




- 2 -

OLD SERIES CONSUMERSf PRICE INDEX FOR
U. S. Average and 13 Citips by Groups
Janua.rjr 15* 19b3 (Partly Estimated)
(1935-39 » 100)

.•All
•I teras :: Food :Apparel: Rent
•

4

«

«

•

.City 2/

.*

U.S. -AVERAGE

190.3

Birmingham, Ala,
197.3
Boston, Mass.
1? 0.9
Chicago, 111.
19U.G
Cincinnati, Ohio
191.6
196.0
Detroit, Mich.
Houston, Texas
19U.9
Kansas City, Mo.
182.3
Los Angeles, Calif.
191.3
Mj. nne apo 1 i s, Mi nn. 3/
168.9
New York, M.Y.
181). 8
Philadelphia, Pa.
190.2
Pittsburgh, Pa.
192.7
Portland, Greg.
197.6

226.6

201.2

223.9
215.1
229.1;
231.9
231.1
2lil.l
212. ?
2 311-2
220.6
c

211. k
186.3
206.2
201.3
198.1
21U.7
193.5
192.3
206.1,
206.7
19b. 8
226.3'
199.3

226. ;

226.0
231.7
211.9

:Fuel, Elec. &
:Refrigeration
: Total :(>oe &
:
•l"c.

138 •nC 1514.0

129 .6

11 ••
.5

115.h
l'.>3.U

Percent Change from October
I U

AVERA'

Birmingham, Ala.
Boston, Mass.
Chicago, 111.
Cincinnati, Ohio
.Detroit, I^ich.
Houston, Texas
Kansas City, feo.
Los An^eles, Calif.
Minneapolis, Minn. 3/
New York, N. I.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Portland, Or eg.
i/

2/

3/

0.6

- 2.3

-

•m0.9

- 2.U

_ 1.2

- 3.7
- 5.2

-

-

-

-

-

-

1.6
1.6
0.3
0.1
0.2
1.2

0.8

1.0

0.6

1.?
0.5

- 2.6
- 0.5
- 0.5
- 3.7
1.2
- 2.8
- 2.U
- 1.9
- 2.9
- 2.0

1.0

2.1

ll|6.3
173.3
11)2.5
159-^
I6)i.8
106.2
137.1
] 0'/. •
11)5.9
155.6
160.1
159.3
li)5.1

2.1
2.0

2.a

1.3

-

0.1

-

2.1

O.lt

-

0.1)
1.3

o.h
-

-

-

-

1.3
1.1

0.9

0.?

0.3

1.1:
1.5

0.6

- 0.3
2.2
2.0
1.5

1.3

•
:
: House- s Miscel:furnish-: laneous
: ings :

100.2

206.0

177. h

79.3
lib. 5
83.5
10L.9
93.6
91.5
71.7

195.0

202.1)

175.1
168.3
179.5
180.5
196.6
179.5
181.8
175.2
181.8
176.5
177.5
173.6
L;0.3

1.0

- 0.1

0.6

0

- 0.2
0

0.2

1r.;o.6

83.1)
105.9
10b. 2
llli.l
108.8

19U.5
191.9
19b. 6
?lp.8
198.8
167.5
205.0
196.6
196.3
212.6
209.1

195?

2.1
0.7
1.1

-

1-A..1LI5S l/

- 0.2
0

0.1

a. 3

0.5
o.U

1.5
- 1.8

0.2
0
3.U

11.0

- 0.8

1.0
- 0.3
- 1.5
- 1.2
1.5
- 0.5
0

- 0.1
1.0

0.2
0.5
3.1)
0.2
0.7
o.h

0.3
0.6

0.9

0.9
0.3

3X, as reinstituted,
This table presents the "old
for January
19.53• vor details on the reinstitution of this series see
n
^
It
.Qoo + h
"Memorandum to Users of the Consumer Price Index, February 3> 1953*
See
the
attached statement for a descriotion of the calculation of the January index.
Indexes for Buffalo, K.Y.; Denver, Colo.; Indianapolii
nd.j Manchester, • A*. ,
Richmond,
Va.j and bavannah,
(-a., usually available for January, h a v e net been
calculated. April 1953 "old s e r i e s " i n d e x e s for t h e s e cities will b e published.
Previously priced on a ^arch, June, September, December cycle.




_ 3 01,D

f:£;RTK'

C:

• P^ICK
U,

L•

INb2>:

.Harare

and

I'OR
1?

MO DERATE-INCOME

Cities

February

by

FAMILIES

1/

Groups

1?$3

(193C>~3? ~' 100)

:
:
:
:Fuel, 'Klf?c. & :
: All :
:Refrinsraticn : House- : Miscel:
:
laneous
: Items : Food :Apparel: Rent : Total :Gas St.furnish-:
:
:
: en. : ingn :
:
:
5
;
•
•

Oity 2/
AVWPAOT?
Pi rir-in^han, Ala,

Boston, hhss*
Chicago, 111,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleve1and, Ohio
Detroit, kich.
Houston, Texas
Lcs Angeles, Calif,
Milwaukee, Wise,
New Orleans, I-?,

New York, N% Y,

168 .6

223.1 201.8

136. U r'li.i

100. h

206.3

177.6

19)4.9
1?8 .9
193 .3
190.1
191.0
193.9
193 .1
189 .a
19);.6
190 .9
163.2

216.9 212.1
209.14 187.0
22k. 8 2 0l|, 9
226.5 203.0
225.5 201,6
225.7 198.3
231.6 215.3
228.8 191.9
223. U 198.ii
236.0 207.6
222.0 206.6
226.5 191.2
220.!.t 196. U
226.9 230.5
219.U 213.9
229.1 200.8
223.2 225.9

191.0 lli 6.3
173-3
112.5
161. U
150.2 160.8
16U.8
157.1 106,2
107.0
175.5 158,3
139.7 liii. 3
155.8
11*1.1 166.0
130.5 160.1
159.2
181.0
1U8.6 135.5
166.2

7 9.3
118.6
83.5
108.7
106. S
93.6
91.5
100.6
99.1
7U.3
105.9
98.5
10U.2
llli.O
105.lt
69.5
112.5

195.k
195.3
19»j.O
19U.5
186.0
217.1
197.8
20U.5
222.5
208.ii
196.9
202,2
2U4.O
208,7
177.8
20U.7
221,1

175.8
168.6
179.7
180.7
176.0
196.5
179.5
175.2
171.5
157.9
176.6
173.9
177.6
173.6
163.2
186.2
if l.U

189 .5

Norfolk, Va.

187 .9
191 .3
186.3
193 .1
.3

Philadelphia, Pa,
Pittsburgh, Pa,

Scranton, Pa,

Seattle, %sh.
Washington, b, C,

Percent Change from November 15, 1952
U,S, AVERAGE

- 1 .6

Birmingham, ?\la,

- 1 J-! _ 0t.
.1 - 2,.2 - 0 .3 - 1 ,8 - 1 .1 - 0 .8 - 0,.7 - 1 .7 - 0
- 2 .3 .U - 1..8 - 1 .9r-. — t£ - 1 .1
- 1 .1 -

Post on, i.iass •

Chicago, 111.

Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Mich.
Houston, Texas
Los Angeles, Calif.
Milwaukee, Wise,
Orleans, La,
New York, N.Y,

Norfolk, Va,

Philadelphia. Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa,

iJcranton, Pa,

Seattle, Wash.
Washington, D, C»
./

These
and

"old

were

details
Users
/

on

of

Indexes
March

series"

computed
the

the
for

Atlanta,

for

"old

Price
Ga,,

0
0
0
3.7
0
U.i
0.5
1.5
0
0
o.li
- 0.3
0
3.3
0
0
0

0.2

reinstitution

Consular

2.0
2.1i
1.3
1.1
0.1
2.9
0.7
O.li
0.9
1.1
0,5
2.3
0
U.3
1.9
0.5 - 0.1
O.li
1,8
1.5
3.0
0,6
l.U
2.6

3.5 - 0.8
5.2 - 1.3
6.6 - 1.6
3.U
0.3
- .0.1
0.6
3.?
2.5 - l.U
2.3 - 1.3
5.2 - 0.3
1.9 « 0,6
5,1 - O.lj
5.9 - 0.6
U.U - 0.7
h.9 - 0.5
0.1
5.3
0.2
3.5
3.8
1,2

indexes
using

0.8

1.6

•

Eebruary

are

0

1.6

- U.5 - O.li

based

on

currently

-

0.5

0.2
0,6
0.1
0.1
0.2
0,2
0,8
0.5
"1.0
0.5
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.7
l.u
0.7
O.U

- 0.2
O.li

0.3
3.U
2.6
0.1
0.7
0.7
0.5
- 0.1
0.3
0,5
0.7
0,9
1.1
0.8
0.2

collectod

series" -mights and

calculation

procedures.

of

indexes

"Memorandum

the

Index,

"old

series"

February

previously

priced

see

prices
For
to

3> 193'3»,f
in

February,

will

be

published

fer

1953*




LABOR

-

D.C.