Full text of CPI Detailed Report : June 1953

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Issued July 22, 1953
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF IABOR
Bureau of labor Statistics
Washington 25, D* C.

EXECUTIVE 3 - ^ 2 0
Moffatt - Ext. 532

1953

: June 1953 for the average of U. S. cities and for
:
:
:
:

from January 1953 forward is based on the revised
index structure. Information about the index revision is given in the February 1953 Monthly Labor
Review or is available upon request.

Retail prices of goods and services bought by urban families of wage earners and
clerical workers rose O.k percent between May and June 1953, according to the U. S. Department of Labor1s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chiefly responsible for the increase was a
rise of l.k percent in retail food prices. In addition, Housing, Medical Care and Other
Goods and Services increased fractionally; Apparel, Personal Care, and Reading and Recreation showed slight declines: and Transportation was unchanged on the average during the
month.
The U.S. All Items index for June was 114.5 (19^7-^9 * 100), 0,2 percent above the
previous high level of August and November 1952, 1.0 percent higher than June 1952, and
12.5 percent above the level of June 1950. Converted to a base of 1935-39 a 100, the
revised index for June was 191.4.
FOOD

The increase of l.k percent in the Food index from May to June canceled most of
the decline that took place earlier this year and returned the index nearly to the
level of last December. The June index was 113-7 ( 1 9 V M 9 « 100), stillO.8 percent below
a year ago, but 13.1 percent higher than in June 1950, Retail food prices rose, on the
average, in all but 2 of the k6 cities surveyed. Increases of 2 percent or more were
reported in 7 of the 20 large cities. Except for dairy products, all food subgroup indexes
advanced; the sharpest rise (5.6 percent) occurred in the Fruits and Vegetables index.
Prices of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables averaged about 8 percent and 10 percent higher, respectively, than a month ago, reflecting general advances for apple.*,
oranges, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, green beans, and carrots. Potato prices av *r&sr-'i
slightly lower than a month s^o.

The Meats, Poultry, and F:-h lode,; r
I
) -.•rcent as pork prices climbed about
6 percent on the average, during the month
Beef end veal prices rose sllz'f r--r r.M
first time si- <? H s t September. \vera£e pri 'fs of i«jrb were up about k pere-: * , v / >
poultry prices were down about 2£ per^rt. Fish p
showed a sligh" a vera.
• ~ •* .
The r i s e of O A percent in the Cereals and Bakery Products index resulted chiefly
from increases in prices of bread and other bakery products in several cities. Generally
higher egg prices largely accounted for the rise of 0.5 percent in the index of




2

"Other Foods at Home." Coffee prices were lover.
percent as milk prices decreased in a few cities.
on the average.

The Dairy Products index declined 0.3
Restaurant meal prices were unchanged,

Between June 15 and June 29 retail food prices in 8 cities showed little change
on the average, according to preliminary estimates. The increases in prices of fresh
fruits, pork, and eggs, were largely offset "by decreases in fresh vegetables, poultry,
and meats other than pork. Restaurant meal prices are not included in these estimates.
HOUSING

The Housing composite index rose 0.3 percent between May and June, led by an
advance of 0.6 percent for Household Operation, reflecting higher rates for telephone service. Dry cleaning and laundry services also increased. A number of items o^
home repair also were higher. Housefurnishings increased O.k percent as merchandise
reduced for May sales was returned to regular price lines. A substantial rise in residential rents in Cincinnati, following decontrol in May, was a significant factor in the
increase of 0.2 percent in the Rent index between May and June. The Gas and Electricity
index declined 0.2 percent with lower cost of electricity for consumers in Portland,
Oregon, more than offsetting higher gas rates in St. Louis. Prices of Solid Fuels and
Fuel Oil were unchanged on the average during the month.
APPAREL

The Apparel index continued at about the level reached 6 months ago, declining
fractionally (0.1 percent) between May and June. Prices of Apparel for all
family members averaged slightly lower, except for footwear prices, which showed a slight
rise.
OmfcK
GROUPS

The Medical Care index increased 0.3 percent during the month as higher prices
were reported for drugs and dental services. Other Goods and Services rose 0.2
percent, reflecting higher prices for cigarettes and beer in several cities. The
Personal Care index declined 0.2 percent. Prices were lower for toilet soap while costs
of beauty shop services increased. Admission charges for motion pictures* were higher.
There were price reductions for toys, radios and television sets and the index for Reading
and Recreation decreased 0.2 percent. The Transportation index remained at the level of
a month ago, as prices for used cars moved downward offsetting increases for automobile
repairs and gasoline.

OLD SERIES:




Calculation of the Old Series Index, which was resumed for a period of 6
months by direction of the President, will be discontinued after issuance
of the indexes for June 1953• It is expected that the final release will
be available about the end of July.

TABLE 1.

3

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

GROUP

June
1953

May
1953

April
1953

June
1952

June
1950

This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES (19^7-^9 * 100)
ALL ITEMS

111+. 5

lll+.O

113.7

113. ^

101.8

59>

FOOD

113-7

112.1

111.5

Ilk. 6

100.5

1+7.1

113.7
118.9
111.3
107.5
121.7
110.9

111.7
118.1+
109.2
107.8
115.2
110.3

111.1
118.0
106.8
109.0
115.0
110.1+

Ilk. 6
116.9
116.5
108.9
122.1+
105.2

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
91+.1

1+7.1
57.2
1+1.6
1+9.8
1+6.3
6/

117.1+

117.1

117.0

lll+.O

101+.9

6/

123.3
106.1+
121.8
108.0
115.1+

123.0
106.6
121.8
107.6
111+.7

122.1
106.5
123.6
107.8
111+.3

117.6
101+.3
115.8
107.7
111.2

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.1+
99.6

86.6
101+.9
56.1+
53.*

APPAREL k/

101+.6

101+.7

101+.6

105.6

96.5

52.5

TRANSPORTATION

129.1+

129.1+

129.1+

126.3

109.9

6/

MEDICAL CARE

121.1

120.7

120.2

117.8

105.1+

i

6/

PERSONAL CARE

112.6

112.8

112.5

111.7

99.2

i

y

READING AND RECREATION

107.8

108.0

107.9

106.8

102.5

!

6/

118.2

118.0

117.9

115.7

2/

5'ood 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
Housefurnishings
Household operation

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

5/

1i

!

y

103.7

PERCENT CHANGE TO JUNE 1953 FROM:
May
1953

June
1950

June
1952

April
1953

ALL ITEMS

0.1+

0.7

1.0

12.5

FOOD

1.1+

2.0

- 0.8

13.1

1.8

2.3
0.8
1+.2

2/

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

0.3

0.3

3.0

11.9

51+.3 1 /

0.2
- 0.2
0

1.0
- 0.1

1+.8
2.0
5.2
0.3
3.8

13.1+
3.6
13.2
10.9
15.9

1+2.1+
j

0.2
1.0

j
!

1.1+
116.0
102.2
68.7

8.1+

!

99.2

0

0

2.5

;

17.7

j

87.8 1/

0.3

0.7

2.8

!

14.9

1

66.8

- 0.2

0.1

0.8

13.5

1

- 0.2

- 0.1

!

0.9

5.2

j

0.2

|

0.3

j

2.2

ll+.O

?

1/

88.9 1/
71.1

1/

67.1+ 1/

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 1953Indexes 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.).
Not available. Indexes for 1939 will be published when calculations are completed.
Approximate.




1/

j

j

5/

- 1.5

I

i

!

-0.9

MEDICAL CARE

1/
2/
3/
¥/
~5/
~~
6/
7/

18.7
17.9

-

13.1
15.8
1+.9"

0

TRANSPORTATION

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

16.5

- 0.1

READING AND RECREATION

11+1.1+

5.8
0.5

0.1+
0.6

APPAREL k/

PERSONAL CARE

92.8

11+1.1+
107.9
167.5
115.9
162.9
129.1 1 /

1.9
- 0.3
5.6
0.5

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation

•

1.7
- 1+.5
- 1-3
- 0.6
5.1+

0.1+

3/

- 0.8

Year
1939

TABLE 2.

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

( 1 9 4 7 - U 9

«

100)

(1935-39 « 100)

City

U.S. AVERAGE

June
1953

May
1953

April
1953

June
1952

June
1950

June
1953

1U. 5

114.0

113.7

113.4

101.8

191.4

115-3

114.6
115.8
115.3
111.4

114.2
115.2
115.6
111.1
113.7

114.9
113.9
114.8
110.9
113.6

102.8
102.8
101.3

196.4
196.8

100.9
101.6

185.4
190.7

April
1952

April
1950

April
1953

111.1
113.9
113.5 5/

101.2
101.4

179.8
184.0

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

116.6

115.4

112.0

114.6

113.8

CITIES PRICED IN JAN., APR.,
JULY, OCT. 4/
Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

111.7
114.3
115.1

CITIES PRICED IN FEB.
AUG., NOV. 4/

112.3

115.4

114.7

99.9 ~
101.5

June
1952

June
1950

June
1953

101.3 6/

198.6

114.6 6/
113.0 ~
112.9
115.5
114.9

117.1
115.1
114.5
115.8

116.1

MAY,

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

190.6

102.1 5/

112.8

CITIES PRICED IN MAR., JUNE,
SEPT., DEC. 4/
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

192.8

113.7

116.8
112.0
116.2

113.5

191.8

199.9

101.6 ~

197.9

101.2
101.1

192.8

100.9

193.3
198.4

May
1952

May
1950

May
1953

113.1
114.8
112.1
114.6
112.6

100.4
103.5

100.2

193.7
197.7
186.1

101.6

186.4

198.6

102.0

J-

1/
2/
2/

See General Explanation at end of tables.
These are the same indexes shown in columns 1, 2 or 3* converted tc a base of 1935-39 a 100.
The U.S. Average is based on prices collected in 46 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.
4/ Foods, fuels, rents and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
5/ March 1952 and June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
% ! May 1952 and May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MAY 1953 TO JUNE 1953
U.S. Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

Reading
City

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

All
Items

Food

Housing

Apparel

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

h
Recreation

Other
Goods li
Services

0.4

1.4

0.3

- 0.1

0

0.3

- 0.2

- 0.2

0.2

0.6
0.7
0.1
0.5
0.7

1.4
1.5
0.1
1.5
2.2

0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2

0.4
0.2
- 0.4
- 0.1
- 0.1

0.2
1.0
0
0.2
0

0.2
0
0.1
0
0.5

- 0.1
0.2
- 0.3
0
- 0.3

0.1
0.2
- 0.3
- 0.3
- 0.3

0.5
0.7
0
0.1
0.2

See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.




Transportation

TABLE 4. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
June 1953 Indexes and Percent~*Changes, March 1953 to June 1953
U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in June

Total
Food

All
Items

City
1

2/

i

Total

Rent

1/

Housing
Solid
Fuels
Gas &
Elec&
triFuel
city
Oil

5

I
!
ReadOther
TransMediPering & ; Goods 8e
sonal ' Recre-I SerApparel porta- ! cal
tion | Care 1! Care 1 ation ! vices
|

Housefurnishings

Household
Operation

y

1

1/

June 1953 Indexes (1947-49 » 100)

Ilk.5 113. T

117.4

123.3

Atlanta
114.5
117.1
114.6
Baltimore
115.1
112.4
Chicago
115.3
114.5
Cincinnati
116.9
116.6
Detroit
116.7
112.3
115.4
Los Angeles
! 112.0 112.0
Nev York
115.8
Philadelphia ji 114.6
1
115.8 1 115.0
St. Louis
114.1
116.1
San Francisco

122.7
113.3
120.3
115.0
119.0
123.5
114.4
112.6
115.7
117.0

108.6
97.3
100.0
123.4
113.1
108.4
109.5
107.9
101.8 ;!
100.1 !
117.1
122.1 ; 130.1

U.S. AVERAGE

106.4

121.8

108.0

115.4

104.6

112.2
122.1
119.8
118.5
117.0

112.7
103.4
109.7
104.4
110.8
111.0
IO8.3
109.9 ;
109.1
109.7

127.1
109.2
118.6
115.7
106.6
107.6
118.6
113.2
116.7
109.0

110.3
104.2
106.8
104.8
103.5
103.2
104.8
104.1
104.6
IO3.6

125.8
118.2
127.9

j

129.4

121.1

129.2
118.9
138.8
132.0
120.0
133.8
130.0
121.5
121.3
126.9
126.8
119.9
120.5
127.5
133.5 i 120.3
136.9 ! 133.1 j
142.0 ; 121.0 i

112.6 ; 107.8 ; 118.2
115.2
107.9
114.2
108.8
119.5
117.5
106.7
116.2
109.8
112.9

i

;
;
;
)
:

111.1 : 117.6
119.3 I 118.9
109.9 ! 112.9
99.1 i 116.0
110.8 : 123.7
103.7 ! 113.9
106.1 118.3
112.2
122.0
100.1 ; 116.1
;
105.1
115.4

Percent Change -- March 1953 to June 195?
U.S. AVERAGE

0.8 ;

1.8

Atlanta
Baltimore
Chicago
Cincinnati
Detroit
Los Angeles
lev York
Philadelphia
St. Louis
San Francisco

0.3 1
0.8 i
1.3 |
1.7 !
1.2
o 1 0.7 !
0.4 j
1.0 !
0.5 !

2.0
2.6
2.5
3.7
2.5
0.8
1.4
2.0
2.3
1.3

0.5

1.3

- 0.5
- 0.4
0.8
1.9 6/ 6.9
0.3
0.8
1.2
- 0.4:
1.0 j16/ 0.3
0.8 ,15/

0

- 0.1 j! - 2.1
- 0.5
- 0.5
0
0.5
- 1.3
0.7
- 0.1
0
4.5
0

-

0.6
0.2
1.6
0.5
0.2
- 0.1
- 0.7
- 1.3
0.4

6.1
3.6
1.8
3.3
0.3

- 3.4
- 5.7
0.4
I

1.2

- 0.1

0.1

1.3 ;!

1.0
0.1
0.9
3-5
0.4
0.8
0
1.9
0.2
0.6

- 0.7
- 1.0
1.4 |!
0.6
0.5 i - 0.1
0.1 i - 0.5
0.6 1 j
1.0
- 0.8
- 0.5
0.1
- 0.7
- 1.0 ;j 0.5
0.2 ! - 0.2
- 1.6 |! - o- 8

0.8 I
- 0.1 1 i
2.7 !i
0.2
3.9 |
1.4
- 0.2
0.2
0.5
0.8

0.2
- 0.2 :
2.1 |!
- 0.3 j!
0
0.3
- 0.4
0.8
- 0.2
- 0.2
- 0.1

-

0.1

0.6

0.6 j
0.3 ;
0.6
0.3 j
0.1 1
0.8 i
0.7 j
0.1
0.6
0.8

0.7
0.6
1.5
2.1
0.7
0.3
0.3
0
0.6
0.7

1/ through 5/, see footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
5/ Change from December 1952 to June 1953*

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ -- FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
June 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, May 1953 to June 1953
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities
(19^7-^9 s 100)

City

Meats, Poultry
Cereals &
Total
0/
& Fish
Bakery Products
Food at Home
Total Food
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index Change
Index Change
Index Change
Index Change

Other
Foods at Home
Percent
Index Change

Fruits &
Dairy
Vegetables
Products
Percent
Percent:
Index Change
Index Change

U.S. AVERAGE

113.7

1.4

113.7

1.8

118.9

0.4

111.3

1.9

107.5

- 0.3

121.7

5.6

110.9

0.5

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati

114.5
114.6
111.2
112.4
116.9

1.5
2.1
2.2
1.4
2.5

114.4
114.5
110.9
112.3
117.0

1.6
2.5
2.8
1.6
2.7

116.1
117.4
117.1
114.4
117.7

0.2
0.3
0.2
- 0.7
0.1

116.7
112.8
105.8
106.9
116.9

1.3
2.5
2.2
2.1
3.3

111.3
112.5
105.9
108.3
109.2

- 0.3
0.1
- 0.2
- 0.3
0.1

125.5
122.5
120.1
120.0
124.9

7.5
9-0
11.0
5.7
8.7

104.5
108.9
107.2
117.2
116.3

- 0.1
0.6
1.0

Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

110.5
116.7
112.6
110.7
112.3

1.2
1.5
0.6
0.5
0.1

110.1
116.8
111.9
110.2
111.5

1.4
1.7
0.7
0.5
0.1

114.9
116.5
115.9
117.8
118.3

- 0.1
0.2
0.9
0.5
0.5

108.0
110.6
108.2
107.6
111.1

1.9
2.2
0.6
0
1.5

99.5
109.7
107.7
103.0
109.3

0.2
0
- 0.4
- 2.8
- 0.2

115.9
134.3
118.8
115.8
106.9

4.6
5.3
2.9
5.1
- 2.6

111.8
112.1
108.2
111.7

- 0.2
0
0
0.1
0.4

Minneapolis
Nev York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

112.6
112.0
115.8
114.8
114.0

- 0.1
1.5
2.2
2.0
0.5

112.8
111.8
115.8
115.0
114.1

- 0.2
1.8
2.6
2.4
0.6

119.8
123.0
119.0
119.5
115.1

0.2
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3

105.3
109.0
111.9
107.9
117.6

0
0.7
1.5
2.2
2.4

105.2
102.2
109.6
110.1
109.7

- 3.0
0
- 0.1
- 0.1
- 0.3

124.6
1.5
119.0
6.4
10.9
128.7
124.9 ! 10.3
- 1.8
111.9

117.1
111.1
111.1
118.5
114.1

0.4
1.7
0.9
0.3
1.2

St. Louis
San Francisco
Scranton
Seattle
Wa»hington,D.C.

115.0
114.1
113.7
113.2
113.1

1.9
0.2
2.0
1.1
2.1

114.8
114.6
113.4
113.3
112.9

2.0
0.8
2.3
1.3
2.5

lf3.5
127.6
116.9
119.7
115.6

0.3
3.2
0.5
0.3
- 0.1

113.5
112.0
111.1
111.8
108.0

2.0
2.3
3.3
3.7
2.5

100.5
110.2
107.5
107.2
113.9

-

117.3 ' 108.6 : 110.9 i
108.9 1 109.4 i

0.6
0.3
0.6
0.3
0.6

127.8
0.1
0.1
120.7
120.8
0.4
1
121.1 i
1.3
I
0.6 i 119.6 :

1 1 1 . 1

8.6
1.1
7.4
2.5
9.0
1

See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tablas.




0 . 3

0.8

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 main*.
tain 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 19U7-U9»100. The index numbers thus i"how
the average increase or decrease in prices from the X9U7—Ii9 average. (For convenience
of users, these indexes are also shown on the base 1935-35*= 100. Note that they are
calculated using the new samples, items and weights). The city indexes do not indicate
whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Conparisons 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 1^0 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 bi?y. 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 I46 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 cyclemonthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 25 large and medium-sized cities, and
every k 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 U6. Price collection
extends over 3 or 1; 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 lj.6 cities, during the first 3 days of the week which includes the l5th
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 sairples
of dwellings in each of the U6 cities, and once every 2 years by personal visit, when
local samples of dwellings are als<? 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 ffom
records of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.




7
Fuels, including Gas and Electricity, Prices prevailing on the 15th of the month
are collected monthly by mail from f\iel dealers and utility companies in U6 cities.
All Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and Rents, Prices are collected
in person, on the city cycle described above, ft*om 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
inportance in the "market basket" for that city to obtain an average price change for that
city. Price changes for the U6 cities are combined for the U.S. with the use of 1950 population data. Each city is given an iirportance 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 mediuirwsized cities, and the 16 small cities.
City indexes are compiled for the 20 largest of the i|6 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 3h 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 Consumers? Price Index—A Summary of Changes in the rr-iex and
Suggestions for Transition from the 1Interim Adjusted? and 1Ci : Jerks'
Indexes to the Revised Index."
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 1039: "Interim Adjustment of
Consumers1 Price Index."
January 1951 Reports "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 Iirportance 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.







W ^

r,
L

// UNITED

A

A

i H l N E W S

E

O

E

M a r t i n

//

RELEASE l
FOR RELEASE:

l

j

^

STATES
p

^

D u r k i n

-

l

^

t

DEPARTMENT

OF

LABOR

'

t

Friday, July 2k9 1953
2:00 P.M. E.D»T.

Z

EXECUTIVE 3-2^20
Moffatt - Ext. 532

"Old Series" Consumers1 Price Index* June 1953
"Old Series" Consumers1 Price Indexes have be&n compiled
for the months January-June 1953 at the direction of the
President and the^Secretary of Labor,-to facilitate
6rderly transition to use of the Revised Indent in wage
escalator clauses under collective agreements
The
Bureau of labor Statistics has no authorization or appropriation to continue the "Old Series" beyond the June
Index issued in tljis release* The Revised Index
ohly will be issued hereafter, on the 1935~39 ~ 100 base*
well as on the official 19U7-U9 31 100 base period*
This will be the last report for. the "old series" ifidex.
For a description of the-Revised-Indexj see "The Consumer
Price Index^- A Short Description of the Index as Revised,
l953»n For discussion of the arithmetic problems of
transition from the "Old Series"-to the Revised for wage
contract purposes,.see "The Revised Consumers1 Price Index
A Summary of Changes in the Index and Suggestions for
Transition from the !Interim Adjusted1 'and !01d Series
Indexes to the Revised Index."
The "Old Series" Consumers' Price Index for June 1953 Has 190.9
(1935-39 = 100), an increase of 1.1 percent from May, the U#S. Department of
Lnbor's Bureau of Labqr Statistics announced today•

There was also an increase

of 1.1 percerit over the March-June quarter > which, for both periods, reflected
higher prices for food and a continued increase in residential rents.




OLD SERIES CONSUMERS1 PRICE INDEX KOR MODERATE-INCCME FAMILIES 1/
U, 5, AVERAGE AND 3.8 CITIES BY GROUPS
JUNE 15, 1953'
(1935-39 - 100)

:
«
•

City
r

T 1

U. S. AVERAGE
Atlanta, Ga#
Baltimore, Md*
Birmingham, Ala*
Boston, Mass*
Chicago, 111®
Cincinnati, Ohio
Detroit, Mich*
Houston, Texas .
Jacksonville, Fla*~
Los Angeles, C4lif*
Memphis, Term*
Mobile, Ala®
New York, M*Y*
Philadelphia, Pa*
Pittsburgh, £3,*
Portland,'Me*' '
St. Louis, Moi
San Francisco,Cal*

•

; All
s Items

Fuel, Elec. &
••
*
•%
Refrigeration
«•
«•
:Gas &
Foodtjkppairel : Rent: Total :Elec.

*•

t

: House- : Miscels furnish- : laneoos
ings •
*

» %j

190.9

227J4 202.2

232.0 215.8
2U2.1 197.3
2 2 2 . 1 211.3
196.6 '
180.6
213.5 186.2
195.7
229.3 209.2
195.0 235.8 203.5
200.U
235.il 199.6
193.il 232.1 212.6
198.2
231iU 193.6
188.7 222.3 192.8
190.8 236.9 216.6
220,6 203.U
185.6
l85.ii 226.1 205.5
226.7 I97.it
190.5
19)4.6. 23U.9 227.ii
181.9
205.7 203.9
192:9
2UOi3 203.5
199.1 2lf1.8 196.U
197.7

19lu6

1U0.3

: 151.81 100.8

161.0
157.0
137.8
168.0
139.9
1 3 6 . 7 160.3
l6i±,8
106.2
1 6 6 . 9 155.7
107.8
lii6.0 151.0
-:a52.5 135.2'
150.3
155.2
159.7
i35ti 165.5
13lu2 158.3
137. h 106.1;
•

206, u

1

179.9

216.7
189.9
87.5
112.6 1 2X1.1
181.0
195.7
175.5
79.3
19li.2
118.5
• 172.0
196.2
181.1
83.5
110.6
195.0 !! l8l.ii
2l8.ii
92.7
199.1
182.6
91. ii
196.7
188.8
86.6
202.i;
100.6
20ii.i|
178.ii
162.2
81.8
18)4.3
8U.6
I6it.ii
179.1
105.8
177.9
195.3
212.2
101} i 2
179.9
llil.O
175.0
205.li
ilii.5'
203.9
17)u3
90.8
173.2
183*5
9)4.2
200.5
176.3

PERCENT CHANGE JTICK MARCH 15, 1953
U.S. ,V£T?AGE

1.1

2.0

0.2

1.2 -1.5 ,
i °'2

0.6

Atlanta, fta.
1.1
l.)4
3.7 0.1
-0.3
-2.5 -0.2
Baltimore, Md.
-0.lt
-0.1
l.il
-2.7
3.1 ' 0 Jl
-0.3
Birmingham, Ala.
0.1
-5.8
0.2
2.14 -0.1
0.7
0
Boston, Mass.
0.8
0.1
-0.7
0.5
2.3 -0.2
-3.1
0
Chicago, 111.
-1.8
0.8
2'. 8 1.9
1.7
1.5
0
0
Cincinnati, Ohio
)i.2 0.3 2/6.9 -1.3
0.7
2.5
Detroit, Mich,
ii.6
0.5
0
0.6
0.8
2.1
-1,0
0
-1.2
Houston, Texas
-0.1
-l.il -0.7
i.ii
-0.3
0
1.6
-0.1
Jacksonville*, Fla.
2.5 0.1 1 1.0 2.li
1.3
Los Angeles, Calif, -l.it
0
-3.8 0. 1 !i
-0.3
0.7
0.5
0
2.8 0.8 i
0
0.1
0.2
Memphis, Tenn.
1.5
3.1
Mobile, Ala.
0
0
.
1
0
.
1
1.0
-2.7 0.2
-0.9
0
2.6
-2.2
New York, N. I.
-0
.
2
-0.1
0
.
8
0.2
1.5
2.6 -0.3 '
0
1.0
-0.8
Philadelphia, Pa.
0.7
-3.1
0
Pittsburgh, Pa.
-0
-1.2
0.1
2.9
.5
1.5
0.3
Portland,"He."
0.2
0
0.2
-o.lt
0.8
-3.2
0.7
0.5
St, Louis, Ho.
0
0.2
1.1
2.7
1.3
2.3 0.6 2/0.3
San Francisco,Calif, 0.9
1.2 -0. 1
2/1.6
0 1 0
1.0
0.3
1
;
1/ For details on the reinstitution of the "old series" indexes see "Memorandum
to Users ox the Consumer Price Index, February 3 > 1953*"
If Change from December 1952.
Labor - D. C.
* March corrected from 152.6 to 152.5