Full text of CPI Detailed Report : June 1955
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Issued July 26, 1955 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25 > D* C* CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - JUNE 1955 Consumar prices in U*S* cities rose 0.2 percent between May and June 1955* according to the U*S* Department of Laborfs Bureau of Labor Statistics* The increase was due principally to a seasonal rise in food prices end to small increases in a number of other elements in the family budget* The Consumer Price Index in June Moved up to llluii (19kl-k9 • 100) * This was the first monthly change of more than 0*1 percent since last December* The index has fluctuated between Ul*,2 and 115*2 since November 1953. Prices were higher than a month earlier for food* housing, transportation, personal care, and medical care* Reading and recreation costs and apparel prices declined during the month* FOCD At 111*3,ttiefood index was 0*2 percent higher than in May* Increases were reported for pork, poultry, fresh fruits, eggs, beef and veal, lamb, and cereals and bakery products* Dairy products also increased sli^itly* In contrast, decreased costs to consumers were reported for fresh vegetables, restaurant meals, coffee, and tea* The food index showed increases in 26 cities and decreases in 17, while 3 large cities showed no change* Retail prices of meats, poultry, and fish as a group rose 1*7 percent from May to June* In response to the sharp curtailment of hog marketings in late May and early June, prices for pork increased more than usual* Park chaps were up 8*U percent on the average throughout the country; ham prices also increased by 2*5 percent and bacon edged up slightly* Despite the continued large supply of young chickens, poultry prices increased 1*7 percent, following the substantial decline in May* As a group, prices of fruits and vegetables decreased 0*6 percent, with fresh vegetables down an average of 10*7 percent* Fresh fruit prices rose 8*7 percent chiefly because of higher prices for apples, grapefruit, and watermelons* White potato prices declined to 71*7 cents per 10-pound bag, from an average price of 80*9 cents in May - the high for the year* This decline was quite general throughout the country* Retail prices of green beans, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and cabbage also reflected considerable seasonal price declines ranging from 11 to 27 percent* Coffee and tea prices declined, with the U*S* average price of coffee down to 89 cents per pound, the first month since July 1953 in which it has been less than 90 cents* Egg prices edged up, as warm weather reduced production; and there were scattered increases in prices of bread and milk* Lower prices for restaurant meals were reported in some cities* HOUSING The housing index rose 0*3 percent between May and June, as residential rents edged up 0*1 percent and costs of home mainte* nance and repairs and some furnishings were higher* Sheets and a few other housefurnishings items returned to regular prices after May sales, but price reductions were reported for vacuum cleaners, bedroom furniture, living room suites, and rugs* Dry cleaning prices advanced in several cities, but prices of laundry soap and detergents were slightly lower than in May* Higher prices for anthracite and bituminous coal were announced, but there were reductions in gas bills in a few cities* 2 OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES The transportation index advanced 0*2 percent during the month, as used car prices rose seasonally and gasoline prices also increased* Automobile insurance rates were reduced in a number of cities and prices of tires declined slightly* The rise of 0*7 percent in the personal care index during the month (the largest monthly change since April 195>U when Federal excise taxes were reduced) resulted primarily from higher prices for man's haircuts in several cities* Ifedical care costs continued upward in June, with higher rates for hospital and professional services* The decline of 0*3 percent for reading and recreation was mainly due to sale prices for sporting goods and toys* although prices of television sets and radios also declined* Motion picture admission charges advanced, with some operators reporting higher prices for special features, while others returned to regular prices after temporary increases for special attractions* Apparel prices declined 0*1 percent during the month, with slight decreases for women's rayon dresses and nylon hose and a few items of men's and boys' apparel* TABU! 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates June May April June 1955 1955 1955 195U 2 Months Ago Last Year June Year 1950 1939 Group This Month Last Month INDEXES ( 1 9 4 7 - 4 9 Pre-Korea PreWorld War II =100) ALL ITEMS llU.U llil. 2 114.2 115.1 101.3 59.4 FOOD 1 / 111.3 111.1 111.2 113.8 100.5 47.1 110.3 12U.0 103.8 110.0 123.8 102.1 113.3 121.3 102.9 117.1 115.2 100.5 102.7 106 92.3 102.5 94.1 Vf. 1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48*4 Food at home Cereals and bakery products . . Meats, poultry and fish • . . . Dairy products . Rent ...««««. ...... Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . . . . . APPAREL Footwear ••.•«••.••«• TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE H2RS0NAL CARE READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ . . . . lOiul 10U.0 119.5 107.7 120.2 108.4 110.1 123.9 103.0 10U.6 117.5 109.U 119.7 119.1; 119.5 118.9 104.9 76.1 130.U 110.7 122.7 103.8 119.2 130.3 110.9 122.5 103.7 119.0 129.9 110.3 125.7 10U.5 118.1 128.3 107.6 120.9 1Q5.8 117.2 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.4 99.6 86.6 104.9 56.4 53.^ 68.4 103.2 103.3 103.1 10U.2 96.5 52.5 1Q5.6 97.2 117.U 90.1 105.7 97.3 1 1 7 .U 90.3 105.5 97.1 116.9 90.2 107.0 98.5 116.3 91.0 98.1 93.3 102.1 88.4 125.8 127.6 11U.7 106.2 119.9 125.5 127.5 113.9 106.5 119.9 125.3 127.3 113.7 106.6 119.8 128.9 125.1 112.7 106.U 120.1 111.1 109.9 105.1* 99.2 102.5 103.7 y V V 5/ 68.9 72.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 PERCENT CHANGE TO JUNE 1955 FROIIf Cereals and bakery products • • May April June June 1955 1955 195U 1950 0.2 0.2 - 0.6 1 2 .U 92.6 0.2 0.1 - 2.2 10.7 136.3 0.3 0.2 1.7 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.8 - 9.8 20.7 • 2.2 12.8 16.6 1U.5 13U.2 116.8 1U9.5 109.0 158.1 122.5 1.7 1.6 0.7 1U.1 57.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 O.U O.U 20.0 7.8 0.2 0.7 0.9 1.6 2.9 1.5 - 1.9 1.7 6.6 19.7 50.6 5.5 117.6 9U.U 7U.3 - 0.1 0.1 - 1.0 6.9 96.6 - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 o.U - 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.7 - 0.3 0 o.U 0.2 0.9 - o.U 0.1 0 4/ - 0.2 0.1 1/ 2/ JJ - 0.5 2.6 2.2 - 6.6 1.2 2.0 - 6.5 0.3 - PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION - 2*2; - 1U.0 1.3 1.3 0.9 - 1.0 7.6 U.2 15.0 1.9 - 1U.5 - 2.U 2.0 1.8 - 0.2 - 0.2 21.1 15.6 3.6 15.6 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, burial services, etc.). Not available. Year 1939 u/ hJ ry y 82.6 75.8 92.U 68.6 69.8 U TABIE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES (1935-39 = ( 1 9 ^ 7 . ^ 9 ^ 1 0 0 ) 100) City June 1950 Year 1939 June 1955 May 1955 June 195U llU.U llli.2 115.1 101.8 59.U 191.3 1 1 7 .U 116,7 115.3 111.8 115*5 117.2 116.U 115.II 111.8 115.5 117.3 117.1 115.7 112.9 115.9 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 199.9 197.0 192.7 185.0 192.2 June 1955 March 1955 June 195U June 1950 116*0 115*0 113*7 115.9 115.3 115.3 llU.9 113.U 115.6 115.6 117.6 115.5 m . 2 1 1 7 .U 116.8 June 1955 i / U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . . . . . . CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: Chicago Detroit • • • . . . * . . New York . . . . . . . Philadelphia . . . CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2 / Atlanta . . May 1955 CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2 / CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 2 / V 60.1 59.2 June 1955 58.3 57.9 58.i» 59.3 58.6 1°1*3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 February 1955 1lay 195U May 1950 115.3 115.5 lll.U 116.8 113.5 11U.9 115.7 111.7 116.3 113.2 115.3 116.7 112.3 116.3 113.7 100.U 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 April 1955 January 1955 April 195U April 1950 1 1 3 .U 115.2 117*0 113.8 11U.2 113.0 115.3 116.5 113.8 11U.6 112.9 115.5 116.3 11U.5 lllu8 101.2 101.U 3 / 102.1 99.9 101.5 1j These are the same indexes shown In column 1, converted to a base of 1935*39 = 6o.k 196.7 197.7 191.5 193 .U 197.0 May 1955 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.lt 196.5 195.5 185.1 199.6 186.U April 1955 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 182.6 185.5 193.8 193.5 197.8 100. 2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a tew other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. 3/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. % j May 1950J formerly priced February, May, August, November. T A B U 3* City U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . . . Los Angeles Philadelphia . CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MAI 1955 T O JUNE 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups All Items Food Housing 0.2 0.2 0.3 - o.U - 0.2 0.3 - 0.1 0 0 0 - o.U - 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.8 0 0.2 Apparel Transportation 0.1 0.2 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 - Medical Care Personal Care Reading and Recreation 0.2 0.1 0.7 - 0.2 O.U 0 0.1 0 0 0.3 5.9 0.2 - o.U l.U 1.0 0.2 0.3 o.U - 0.3 Other Goods & Services 0 0.3 0.3 l.U O.U - o.U - 0.7 0 0.2 0 0 TABIE k. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS June 1 9 5 5 Indexes and Percent Changes, March 1 9 5 5 to June 1 9 5 5 U.S. City Average and 1 0 Cities Priced in June 1 9 5 5 U.S. BaltiCincinLos CITY Chicago nati Detroit Angeles AVERAGE Atlanta more Group June 1 9 5 5 Indexes (19U7-U9 - 5 New York PhilaSt. delphia Louis San Prancisco 100) ALL ITEMS llU.U 116o0 H5o0 117.U 113.7 116.7 115.3 III08 115.5 115.9 115.3 FOOD 111.3 111.0 112.2 109.2 112.9 113.9 111.U 110.8 113.1 112.U 113.U 110.3 12U.0 103*8 IOU.1 119*5 107.7 109.6 107.6 118.7 98.2 lOlj.6 116.0 112.8 112.0 12U.7 105.2 106.U 120.2 112.6 112.8 119.9 102.3 105.6 132.9 108.8 109.2 109.7 128.7 105.9 111.9 110.1 118.5 112.9 118.7 101.3 110.7 121.9 10U.2 108.1 118.6 107.U 119.7 12U.U 115.8 129.5 117.U 130.U 110.7 122.7 103*8 119.2 121.0 112.3 107.0 130.2 99.9 121.7 97.7 111.9 110.5 126.6 105.7 122.3 103.2 109.U 102.5 Men's and boys' • • • • • Women's and girls' • • • Footwear . . . 105.6 97.2 1 1 7 .U 90.1 111.1 103.9 12U.0 91.U 101.U 98.9 117.0 9U.2 TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 125.8 127.6 11U.7 106.2 119.9 12U.1 122.9 115.2 107.0 119.2 137.0 13U.U 109.0 llU.U 122.6 Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish • • Dairy products Fruits and vegetables • • • Other foods at home • • •< • Gas and electricity • • • Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings • • • • Household operation • • • • 118.U 107.6 108.1 Percent Change — • • • • • Other foods at home • • • • HOUSING « • « . . . • • • • Solid fuels and fuel oil Women's and girls' • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Change from Decenber 195U to June 1 9 5 5 * 102.3 113.1 105.7 11U.3 136.0 103.8 132.9 101.5 119.0 132.1 136.3 105.7 12U.6 109.1 123.9 103.U 119.3 102.0 103.U 101.2 103.9 103.5 103.2 106.8 9U.6 113.3 87.1 106.8 97.3 118.0 81.8 106.0 93.1 116.8 92.5 10U.3 101.2 111.5 91.5 106.7 96.0 119.7 95.6 10U.3 98.6 118.5 87.8 122.6 132.5 126.3 108.0 12U.8 122.7 121.5 117.U 98.3 11U.8 128.6 126.1 108.9 105.1 121.0 139.1 135.1 117.3 112.6 123.U 13U.8 137.9 123.8 110.9 106.2 115.0 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.3 0.3 0.2 - 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 o.U - 0.5 - 2.6 5.9 - 3.3 - 0.2 0.9 o.U - 2.8 7.7 - U.5 0.8 0.3 2.3 0.5 0.2 6.9 - U.2 U.5 - 1.8 - - 0.1 11U.9 131.9 119.0 125.U 98.8 122.7 108.5 118.8 107.9 112.0 116.? 10U.0 103.0 109.5 103.U 97.6 123.7 9U.5 121.2 92.5 87.U 123.2 130.U 128.5 115.2 112.6 117.3 127.6 113.9 100.1 116.6 101.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.9 0.1* 0.8 1.1 0.8 - 0.5 - 0.5 0.1 1.5 - 1.2 6.7 - 3.8 1.3 0.U 2.2 - 0.3 7.9 - 2.5 0.9 1.1 0.1 - - 3.8 1.2 0.3 2.3 - 0.1 9.8 - U.5 0.1 o.U - 0.1 0.9 0.1 - 0.2 3.0 - 0.3 O.U - 2.8 - 0.8 1.1 6.8 - 6.0 - O.U 1.3 - 0.2 U.3 0.8 0.9 0 0.2 0.3 - 2.3 0.3 - 0.9 1.0 - O.U 0.9 1.3 0.2 0.3 - 5.2 - 1.6 0.2 0 -10.9 - 0.8 0 0 0.9 - 0.2 - - O.U - - 0 0.2 0.6 0.2 1.7 0.2 0.6 0.3 - 0.2 - 1.6 0.6 - O.U - 1.2 0.6 0.1 0 1.3 - 1.1 0 - 2.0 - - 0.6 - O.U 0.1 O.ij 0.1 O.U - 0.2 1.0 103.6 1U0.0 117.3 92.1 116.7 10U.6 109.7 March 1 9 5 5 to June 1 9 5 5 0.3 0.5 1.1 1/ 116.3 126.5 113.U 0.1 O.U READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 119.3 122.0 102.7 103.2 0.6 • • 11U.2 107.0 111.6 109.6 119.9 106.7 106.1 123.1 107.7 0.1 ALL ITEMS Food at home • • • • • • • • Cereals and bakery products Meat8, poultry and fish • • Dairy products 91.1 126.7 115.7 130.9 106.7 10U.9 123.5 108.U 127.9 o.U - 0.1 o.5 - 0.2 7.8 - Iu2 - - o.U - 2.9 - 0.9 6.9 - 0.8 y 1.U 1.3 0.3 - 6.U - U.8 - - 1.u - 0.5 0.2 - o.U - o.U 0.7 U.5 0.9 - - 0.5 0.5 - o.U 0.8 - 0.1 2.2 2.7 0.9 0.1 1.1 0.3 - 1.9 - 3.8 0.6 1.0 0.5 0.3 1.1 0.2 5.5 0.1 0.1 1.2 15.1 0 - 1.1 1.1 0 - 1.1 - - 3.8 - - 1.1 0 1.1 0.3 1.3 0.9 0.1 1.9 0.9 - 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.5 0 0.6 0.5 0 - o.U 1/ 0.3 0.3 o.U 1 / 1 . 0 - u.8 0 2.9 - 0.2 0.3 0.7 o.U 0.7 - 0.6 0.1 0.5 - 0.8 0.7 0.6 - 1.7 0.5 - 0.8 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 - 0.1 - - - - - o.U 0 0.2 3.3 - 0.6 1.5 - - 0.6 0.1 1.9 0 2.1 0.2 0 - 2.3 - 0.2 6 TABUS 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS June 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, May 1955 to June 1955 U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities (191^7-14.9 _ 100) Total Food City Index Percent Change U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . 1 1 1 ©3 Atlanta Baltimore Boston • • • • Chicago Cincinnati . . Cleveland • • • Detroit • • • • Houston Kansas City Los Angeles . 111.0 112.2 • • • 109.5 109.2 112.9 109.3 113.9 110.2 107.U . • • • • • • • • . ! lll.U Minneapolis 111.7 110.8 New York Philadelphia • . . . 113.1 Pittsburgh 112.5 Portland, Ore. • . . 1 1 0 . 7 St. Louis 112.U San Francisco . . . . 1 1 3 . U Scranton 108.9 113.0 Seattle 111.3 - Total Food at Home Percent Index Change Dairy Products Percent Index Change Fruits A ?egetables Percent Index Change Other Foods at Home Percent Index Change 110*3 0o3 12U.0 0o2 103.8 1.7 10U.1 119.5 - 0.6 107.7 - 0.6 0.1 0.8 0.6 0 109.6 110.7 108.0 107.6 112.0 108.3 112.8 0.1 0.9 0.7 - 0.1 118.U 121.9 119.1 118.7 12U.7 120.1 119.9 118.1 120.7 127.9 0.7 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0 0.1 0 0.2 0 107.6 10U.2 101.2 98.2 105.2 102.1 102.3 101.5 99.8 102.7 1.5 2.5 1.5 1.3 0.7 0 1.1 1.2 0 0 - 0.2 - 0.1 0 0.3 118.7 118.6 115.9 116.0 120.2 116.5 132.9 116.8 111.2 113.U - 1.6 1.5 1.2 2.2 1.2 2.3 3.1 2.0 1.2 2.2 101.3 107.U 103.9 112.8 112.6 111.0 108.8 106.9 101.3 107.0 - 0.2 0.3 0.1 1.0 1.0 1.3 0.9 108.1 108.1 105.2 10U.6 106. 96.5 105.6 108.5 10U.U 103.2 - 1.2 0.9 1.0 0.1 0.5 - 0.8 0.3 0.6 - 0.3 0 1.9 0 - 0.1 100.0 105.9 106.7 101.5 103.5 103.6 106.7 103.9 102.1 101.7 1.9 1.8 1.7 2.7 1.5 1.3 0 1*9 0.5 2.U 102.5 - 125.6 111.6 123.1 122.1 120.1 126.7 123.5 11U.3 125.2 11U.7 0.6 1.6 1.0 3.3 0.9 11U.U 109.6 107.7 116.2 108.9 115.7 108.U 105.U 108.7 107.7 - 1.5 0.1 0.3 - 1.3 o.U - 0.3 - o.U 108.9 105.9 - 0.6 109.2 - 0.5 0.3 0.2 0 0.6 o.U - o.U o.U o.U 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 1.1 0.5 - 0.1 0 - Meats, Poultry & Fish Percent Index Change 0.2 o.U - 0.3 - O.U - Cereals A Bakery Products Percent Index Change 111.0 109.7 111.9 112.0 110.U 110.1 112.9 108.8 112.1 109.7 0.2 l.u 0.6 0 0.3 o.U - 0.2 0 126.1 128.7 119.9 12U.3 12U.8 118.5 130.9 119.6 127.8 121.9 - l.U 1.3 2.0 0.2 U 101.5 106.1 106.7 103.3 91.1 10U.9 105.0 108.2 109.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 - o.U 0.2 0 0.1 - 0.2 - O.U - - o.U - 1.3 2.3 1.2 2.5 - 1.2 - 1 . 1 - o.U 0 - 0 0.2 0.2 0.3 TABLE 6. RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR JUNE 1955 AND MAT 1955 U.S. City Average Food and Unit 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 Milk, evaporated ** i oz. can FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Frozen 10 oz. Strawberries 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 10 oz. Peas, green 10 oz. Beans, green Fresh lb. Apples lb. Bananas doz. Oranges, size 200 lb. Lemons * Priced only in season* 1/ Formerly published as sweet gherkins. June 1955 May 1955 (Cents) 53.9 27.U 12.6 17.9 19.2 21.9 17.7 27.0 23.8 (Cents) 53.9 27.U 12.6 17.8 19.1 22.0 17.7 27.1 23.8 ?°4 U9.8 70.8 39.U 109.5 89.8 65.7 61.9 69.5 52.8 U3.U U6.6 58.6 U2.5 U6.6 37.5 U9.8 70.7 39.6 109.6 82.9 65.5 60.U 67.U 53.0 U3.7 U6.0 57.5 1*3.0 U7.0 55.3 37.6 21.U 22.5 29.0 70.U 57.8 13.7 21.U 22.5 29.1 70.U 57.7 13.7 30.7 18.1 19.6 2U.2 30.8 18.0 19.6 2U.2 18.8 17.0 52.9 17.5 17.2 16.9 52.2 18*0 55.5 June 1955 Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * Peaches * Strawberries * Grapes, seedless * Watermelons * Potatoes Sweetpotatoes Onions Carrots Lettuce Celery Cabbage Tomatoes Beans, green Canned Orange juice Peaches Pineapple Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style Peas, green Tomatoes Baby foods Dried Prunes Navy beans OTHER FOODS AT HOME: Vegetable soup Beans with pork Pickles* sweet 1/ May 1955 (Cents) each lb. pt. lb. lb. 10 lb. lb. lb. lb. head lb. lb. lb. lb. (Cents) 10.U 29.1 6.I1 71.7 16.0 8.5 13.0 13.!* 13.9 29.7 26.9 18.3 80.9 15.9 8.5 12.5 15.2 1U.3 10.5 30.2 25.1 #303 can 4 i-5 oz. 33.U 33.9 32.8 26.U 16.9 21.5 15.3 9.7 33.0 33.7 32.8 26.U 16.9 21.5 15.2 9.7 lb. lb. 33.7 18.8 33.U 18.8 1U.1 1U.9 28.0 22.U 89.0 U0.3 32.U 3U.U 28.6 20.8 35.3 5U.U 52.0 23.7 26.0 1U.1 1U.8 28.1 22.U 92.2 U0.8 32.5 3U.U 28.8 21.0 35.3 5U.U 52.1 23.7 26.0 U.6 53.2 8.5 46 oz. #2 i #2 #303 #303 #303 can can can can can can 11 oz. can 16 oz. can 7 h oz. 14 &z. lb. Catsup, tomato Coffee i 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 8.0 U.6 53.6 8.6 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE 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 28 100, 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 wage and clerical workers buy, and they are selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes on all items. Prices are collected in cities which are representative of all cities in the United States. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced eve*-y 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 4 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, W. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N. Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, W. Virginia Laconia, New Hampshire Lodi, California I^nchburg, 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 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 ixldex 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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