Full text of CPI Detailed Report : June 1961

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Released. July 25, 1961

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JUNE 1961
The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.2 percent between May and June to
127.6 (1947-49=100), the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported
today. Increases for most transportation items and for housing combined with a seasonal
rise in food prices to bring the index to a new high. Consumer prices in June 1961
averaged 0.9 percent higher than a year ago mainly as a result of a 2.0 percent rise in
prices of services.
FOOD

An 0.2 percent increase in retail food prices resulted primarily
from seasonally higher average prices for fresh fruits and most
fresh vegetables. However, sharp contraseasonal declines in beef and poultry prices
moderated the rise in the average level of food prices. Price movements for other food
products were mixed and relatively small. Increases were reported for fats and oils,
pork, and beverages, while lower prices prevailed for fresh milk, tomatoes, and eggs.
Prices of restaurant meals continued their upward trend.
The rise of approximately 6 percent in average prices of fresh fruits
was due mainly to a rise of about 13 percent for apples, reflecting low storage supplies,
and a sharp increase in watermelon prices at the beginning of the season this year compared with end-of-season prices last year. However watermelon prices this June were still
substantially below June 1960. Despite a sharp drop for tomatoes, fresh vegetable prices
rose by 0.6 percent on the average, as increases were reported for all other vegetables
priced. In general reduced supplies resulting from earlier unfavorable weather conditions
were responsible for unusual May-to-June increases for most fresh vegetables.
A 1.2 percent decrease in the important meats, poultry, and fish
component, to 107.4 (1947-49=100), represented the fourth consecutive monthly decline for
this group and the first May to June decrease since 1951. Lower prices (2.3 percent) were
reported for all beef and veal products as heavy production exceeded last year's levels.
Prices of ready-to-cook chickens declined by nearly 6 percent to the lowest levels since
they have been priced, reflecting a large increase in the production of broilers and
fryers this spring, approximately 25 percent above the record numbers of a year ago. Pork
prices rose only 0.3 percent--a smaller than usual seasonal increase--as pork production
was about equal to that of last year.
Prices of dairy products decreased by 0.2 percent, extending a downward trend for the sixth successive month. Most of the drop was due to lower prices for
milk sold in retail grocery stores. Except for lard, higher prices prevailed for edible
fats and oils, reflecting, in part, earlier wholesale price increases.
HOUSING

Average prices for every major component of the housing index
advanced between May and June, with the exception of seasonal price
cuts for coal and petroleum fuels. Household textiles showed a significant price increase
(2.0 percent) over the month as prices returned to regular levels following May "White
Sales." Prices of furniture, appliances, and other durable household goods averaged
unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. Significant increases attributed to higher
labor costs were also reported for home repairs and maintenance.
TRANSPORTATION

The transportation index registered the largest advance (0.8 percent) over the month, accounting for somewhat more than one-half of
the net rise in the overall index. The major share of the increase was due to higher
prices for used cars and gasoline. Used car prices continued to display strength as
demand for desirable used cars remained firm, while stocks were down about 30 percent
from last year. This index has risen 14.3 percent since January for an unusually rapid




2
advance. Sharp price increases for gasoline on the Pacific Coast accompanied the termination of price wars and contrasted with widespread small decreases in other parts of the
country. Scattered increases in public transit rates accounted for the rise of 0.4 percent in the public transportation index.
MEDICAL CARE
AND OTHER GROUPS

Higher hospitalization and surgical insurance rates led the advance
of 0.3 percent in the medical care index. However, all other
elements of medical care also increased over the period. Reading
and recreation declined, as movie admissions returned to regular levels after the showing
of special features and prices for radio and television sets were reduced reflecting
continuing sales competition.
COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENT

As a result of a National Consumer Price Index for June of 127.6,
the wages of only 9,500 of the 100,000 workers whose cost-of-living
allowances are subject to current quarterly review will be changed.
The 9,500 workers, employees of a construction machinery and transportation equipment
firm and an electrical machinery manufacturer, will receive 1-cent-an-hour increases.
Among the major groups whose allowances will not be changed are employees of some aircraft
and missile companies and some transportation firms.




3
TABLE It Consumer Price Index—United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, June 1961
and percent changes from selected dates
(1947-4.9=100 unless otherwise specified)

Percent change to June 1961 from —

Indexes
Group

All itemo-

June
1961
127.6

May
1961

May
1961

March
1961

June
1960

Year
1939

127.4

0.2

0.1

0.9

114.8

-

.2
.4
.1
- 3.6
- 1.0
5.9
- 1.5
.5

.5
.1
2.6
- 2.6
2.0
- .5
1.4
2.0

156.7
150.1
144.2
158.2
135.5
192.4
119.0
a/)

FoodFood at honeCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and f i s h Dairy products
Fruits and v e g e t a b l e s —
Other foods at hoaeFood away from hone (Jan. 1953=100)-

120.9
117.8
139.7
107.4
117.3
135.4
106.0
121.2

120.7
117.7
139.7
108.7
117.5
132.2
105.8
120.9

.2
.1
0
- 1.2
- .2
2.4
.2
.2

Housing 2J~
RentGas and electricity
Solid and petroleum fuelsHousefurnishingsHousehold operation—

132.4
143.5
126.3
135.6
103.9
138.9

132.2
143.4
126.2
136.5
103.5
138.7

.2
.1
.1
.7
.4
.1

-

.1
.3
.3
- 4.0
0
.3

.8
1.3
1.3
2.5
- .4
1.2

74.0
65.7
20.4
140.4
94.6
103.1

Apparel
Man's and b o y s 1 —
Women's and girls*FootwearOther apparel-

109.6
111.4
99.4
140.8
92.6

109.6
111.7
99.3
140.8
92.8

0
.3
.1
0
.2

-

.2
0
.5
.1
0

.6
1.5
.3
.5
- .5

108.8
119.3
82.4
179.9
128.1

Transportation—
Private
Public-

147.7
135.3
207.3

146.6
134.2
206.5

1.4
1.4
.8

1.3
.9
4.5

110.4
106.6
155.0

Medical care-

160.9

160.4

.3

.8

3.1

121.6

Personal care-

133.9

133.8

.1

.2

.5

124.7

Reading and recreation-

123.5

123.9

.3

.1

2.0

96.0

Other good8 and services-

133.1

133.1

0

.4

.8

88.5

All items less food

131.2

131.0

.2

.2

1.2

89.9

All items less shelter-

125.2

124.9

.2

.2

1.0

126.0

Commodities—
Nondurables—
Food
Nondurables less foodApparelApparel less f o o t w e a r — — — — — —
Nondurables less food and apparelDurable s
--——
New carsUsed cars (Jan. 1953=100)Durables less c a r s — — —

118.0
120.4
120.9
120.3
109.4
104.0
129.5
111.2
136.7
92.5
101.8

117.7
120.2
120.7
120.0
109.4
104.0
129.0
110.8
137.1
89.5
101.8

.3
.2
.2
.2
0
0
.4
.4
- .3
3.4
0

0
- .2
- .2
- .3
- .2
- .2
- .4
1.2
- 1.0
12.7
- .2

.3
.5
.5
.6
.6
.7
.6
- .3
.1
4.6
- 1.4

128.7
134.2
156.7
104.9
• 110.0

Commodities less food-

115.6

115.3

.3

.2

.3

94.6

Service sRent
Services less rentHousehold operation services, gas,
and electricity—
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services J / — — - — - —

152.7
143.5
155.0

152.5
143.4
154.9

.1
.1
.1

.3
.3
.3

2.0
1.3
2.1

89.9
65.7
110.9

140.8
189.3
168.8
137.6

140.7
188.8
168.2
137.6

.1
.3
.4
0

.3.
.6
.9
0

1.4
2.6
3.9
1.9

61.8
136.3
139.4
136.0

$0,784

$0,785

.1

0

.9

-53.4

-

-

-

.8
.8
.4

-

-

Special groupst

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=11.00)

-

-

(!/)
96.5
94.1
139.8
a/)
77.7

2J Not available.
jg/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
2/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop services, and movies.




TABU 2 s Conmawr Prioe Index—111 items indexes and peroent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

4

Percent change to
current month fron —

Indexes (1947-49=100)
June
1961

March
1961

June
1960

127.6

127.5

126.5

59.4

129.7
125.8
131.4
125.8
127.8

130.2
125.8
130.9
126.1
127.7

130.1
125.1
129.7
124.9
126.4

58.6
59*0
60*4
60.1
59.2

June
1961

March
1961

June
1960

127.4
129.8
124.6
129.0
133.8

127.7
129.5
124.8
128.9
133.8

127.1
128.3
124.6
127.2
132.4

May
1961

February
1961

May
1960

127.9
126.1
124.1
131.7
124.3

128.3
125.1
123.5
130.8
124.5

127.1
125.1
122.1
129.7
123.1

April
1961

January
1961

April
1960

130.0
129.5
129.0
129.2
128.3

129.3
127.6
127.8
129.2
128.8

128.3
126.6
127.1
127.9
127.5

City
United States city averi

Tear
1939

Tear
1939

March
1961

June
1960

0.1

0.9

114.8 *

.3
.6
1.3
.7
1.1

121.3
113.2
117.5
109.3
115.9

Cities priced monthly \/
Chicago
• •••••
Detroit
Los AngelesHew TorkFhiladelphiaCities prioed ill March, June,
September, December

2/

Atlanta——-—
Baltimore
Cincinnati—-St. Louis
San Francisco-

Cities prioed in February, May,
August, November
Cleveland
Houston--—
Scranton—-—
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

2/

—

Cities prioed in January, April,
2/

July, October
Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis—-—•
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

-

-

Year
1939
58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

.4
0
.4
.2
.1

-

March
1961

June
1960

.2
.2
.2
.1
0

.2
1.2
0
1.4
1.1

-

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

-

-

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

Tear
1939
116.0
111.9
112.1
122.5
105.8

.6
.8
1.6
1.5
1.0

.3
.8
.5
.7
.2

January
1961

Tear
1939

118.5
124.2
113.4
117.5
128.3

May
1960

February
1961

Tear
1939

Tear
1939

April
1960

Tear
1939

1.3
2.3
1.5
1.0
.6

.5
1.5
.9
0
- .4

113.1
109.9
112.5
122.4
120.1

j/ Bents prioed bimonthly,
2/ Foods, fuels, and a few other items prioed monthly; rents and other oomnodltlee and services prioed quarterly*

TABLE 3 s Consumer Price Index—Peroent changes from May 1961 to June 1961
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All ltens and commodity groups

City

All
items
0.2

Ifaited States city average—
-

Detroit

—

Philadelphia




Food

-

.2
.2
.3
.2
.1

-

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

Reading
Medical Personal
and
care
care
recreation

0.2

0.2

0

0.8

0.3

0.1

.2
.1
.7
.2
.2

.3
0
.1
.3
.1

- 0.7
- .4
- .4
.1
0

- .8
- 1.0
4.0
.1
.3

0
4.6
.1
0
.1

.1
.6
.6
0
.6

-

-

- 0.3
-

-

.3
0
0
.5
.3

Other
goods &
servioes
0
0
0.1
- .2
0
0

TABIfi Ui Consumer Price Index—All items and conaoflity groups
June 1961 Indexes and percent changes, March 1961 to June 1961

5

U.S. city average and 10 oities priced in June 1961
U.8.
City Atlanta
Average

Oroup

Baltimore

Chicago Cincin- Detroit
Los
nati
Angeles

New
York

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Franci8co

Indexes (19^7-^9-100)
All items

127.6

127.4

129.8

129.7

124.6

125.8

131.4

125.8

127.8

129.0

133.8

120.9
117.8
139.7
107.4
117.3
135.4
106.0

116.6
114.5
127.2
110.0
117.4
129.4
101.4

121.7
116.6
135.6
107.5
117.5
130.0
106.3

118.4
115.7
132.9
102.8
121.3
130.7
110.9

121.1
118.0
139.3
109.0
117.3
132.3
108.9

121.0
118.1
129.6
102.5
119.4
146.0
106.6

126.6
120.5
153.7
107.5
115.1
141.5
106.1

121.2
117.0
149.1
106.8
116.1
129.6
104.1

122.4
118.4
138.9
107.0
119.9
135.5
105.8

121.7
116.5
125.8
105.3
110.7
142.5
111.8

126.2
122.9
152.8
112.8
119.6
148.2
104.1

132.4
143.5
126.3
135.6
103.9
138.9

135.3
141.4
135.8
130.6
107.7
148.9

129.6
140.4
110.3
137.2
101.0
138.1

140.6

125.5
144.7
136.8
138.4
94.1
142.8

126.3
140.6
123.0
126.5
108.7
125.4

140.7

106.7
129.1
109.7
148.1

127.6
150.3
114.7
148.2
103.4
142.2

138.0
158.3
158.1

102.3
128.9

131.9
137.8
122.3
141.7
107.6
139.3

126.4

130.0
138.5
101.2
138.2

106.1
130.1

—
—
—
—
—

109.6
111.4
99.4
140.8
92.6

115.4
121.0
104.4
147.1
90.5

113.8
109.2
107.7
147.6
99.9

111.4
116.0
97.6
145.7
95.3

106.7
109.4
95.1
145.2
88.7

108.0
110.8
97.1
137.2
87.3

111.4
113.8
102.5
141.9
83.8

108.0
112.4
94.5
144.6
96.3

109.0
111.8
98.2
139.6
95.4

110.8
111.1
102.9
137.4
96.9

112.3
110.8
103.7
149.1
92.6

Private
Public

—

147.7
135.3
207.3

146.3
136.8
202.1

162.4
138.7
231.5

152.1
132.4
205.0

144.8
133.2
191.2

134.4
126.2
179.1

149.7
140.5
214.1

148.3
129.9
191.0

160.1
137.2
211.6

164.2
138.9
252.5

163.2
150.3
184.8

Medical care

—

160.9
133.9
123.5
133.1

147.2
141.6
126.0
133.6

176.0
132.8
130.4
140.6

170.4
138.0
122.7
123.7

161.7
129.1
111.2
131.3

171.2
142.1
119.1
141.6

153.3
135.1
103.5
133.1

150.1
123.1
127.3
132.3

170.1
142.7
121.9
133,4

172.9
139.1
110.8
136.8

162.0
2/131.7
121.0
135.1

Food
!
Food at home - —
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
— —
Other foods at hone —
—'
Rent

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Housefurnishings
Household operation
Apparel
— — — — — —
lien's and boys' — — — —
Women's and girls' - — — —
Footwear — — — — — — — —
Other apparel

Reading and recreation — — — — —
Other goods and services
—

—

—

148.0
—

—

—

Percent change from March 1961 to June 1961
0.1

- 0.2

0.2

-

.2
.4
.1
- 3.6
- 1.0
5.9
- 1.5

- .7
- 1.0
.5
- 4.8
.3
4.0
- 1.2

.6
.1
.2
- 4.1
0
8.5
- 1.1

.3
.3
- 4.0
0
.3

-

.1
0
- 6.6
- .1
.1

.2
.1
- 2.5
.9
1.1

-

-

-

All items
Foo4

Food at test — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — - —
—
Other foods at home

—

lousing
Rent
— — — —
Gas and electricity
So 1 id and petroleum

—

—

fuels——

Apparel
Men's and boys'
—
—
—
Women's and girls'
Footwear — — — — — — — —
Other apparel
—
—
—
—

—

—

Medical care
—
—
—
Personal care
—
—
—
Reading and recreation
- —
Other geeds and services — - —




0.4

- 0.2

0.1

0.1

0

.3
.5
.1
- 4.0
- .4
4.1
- .1

- 0.1
- .1
- .6
- 4.0
- .3
7.8
- 1.3

- 1.2
- 1.5
.3
- 2.6
- 1.3
- 1.7
- 1.4

- 1.1
- 1.3
0
- 5.0
- 3.2
5.6
- 1.5

.7
.9
0
- 5.1
- 1.6
5.5
- .8

.2
.4
- .2
- 2.3
- .1
7.9
- 1.8

- 0.3
- .6
.1
- 2.3
- 3.2
4.7
- 1.4

.1
.1
- 9.3
- .8
- .2

1/- .1
.5
- 1.6
- .4
1.2

.1.
.4
.4
- 5.3
.2
.4

-

.2
- 4.8
- .7
0

- 1.4
- .3
0
- 8.8
- .5
.2

.4
.1
3.8

- 1.2
- .5
- 1.9

- .8
- .7 . - 1.1

.5
.6
.4

- 2.2

-

-

.2

- .7
- 1.3
- .5
.2
- .9

- .6
- .1
- 1.4
.2
.2

- 1.0
- .2
- 2.1
0
- .6

1.4
1.7
0

- .8
- 1.0
0

5.1
6.0
0

1.0
1.3
0

2.2
2.9
0

.4
.5
.1
0

4.6
.1
0
0

.2
.2
.3
.2

1.1
.2
.2
- .1

- 0.2

-

-

.3
.3
.3
- 3.2
0
4.9
- 1.8

.3

—

Iousefurnishlngs — — — — —
leasehold operation

Transportation
Private
Public

0

- 0.4

-

.2
0
.5
.1
0

-

.2
.2
.1
.7
.1

.4
.2
- 1.5
.8
- .2

—

1.4
1.4
.8

1.5
1.9
0

1.3
1 6
0

—
—
—
—

.8
.2
.1
.4

1.1
1.3
- 1.4
0

.1
0
- 1.7
.4

—

-

.3
.2
0

.1
.1
- 2.9
.8

-

.4

1/ Change from April 1961 to June 1961.
2/ Revised indexes: Sept. 1960 = 130.7, Dec. 1960 - 131.7, March 1961 - 131.7.

—

0
—

.5
0

-

-

.4
—

1/

0
- 6.7
- .1
.1

-

4.5
.6
.7
.5

-

-

—

-

.8
.1

.2
.7
0
.4
.6

.6
0
1.0
.5
1.0

.5
.7
0

- 1.0
- 1.2
0

.2
.1
4.4
3.3

.5
0
.5
.1

6
TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
June 1961 indexes and percent changes, May 1961 to June 1961
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49-100)
Total "
food at hone

Total food
City

U.S. city average

Index

Percent
change

120.9

0.2

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

116.6
121.7
119.6
118.4
121.1
116.0
121,0
115.8
115.5
126.6

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

118.7
121.2
122.4
122.6
122.9
121.7
126.2
116.9
125.6
121.2

*

-

Index

0.1

117.8

.3
.7
.2
.2
.3
.3
.1
.3
.7
.7

114.5
116.6
115.7
115.7
118.0
112.9
118.1
112.2
112.4
120.5

.1
.2
.2
.7
.3
.2
0
.2
.2
.4

115.1
117.0
118.4
120.9
119.1
116.5
122.9
115.2
122.0
118.0

Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products:
Flour, wheat
5 ib.
Biscuit mix
40 oz.
Macaroni
cz.
Corn meal
Rolled oats
13 »z.
Corn flakes
12 «z.
Rice, short grain
lb.
Rice, long grain
lb.
Bread, white
v.<.
Soda crackers
ib.
Sandwich cookies---lb.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak
ib.
Sirloin steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
ib„
Pork chops, center cut
la.
Pork roast
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters
rD.
Luncheon meat, canned
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook - ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned
16 e i,
Tuna fish, canned
6 ta 6£ sz.
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream
£ gal.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
\ ib.
Milk, evaporated
14^-az. eai
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries
10 .1.
Orange juice concentrate
6 «z.
Lemonade concentrste
6 az.
Peas, green
10 »z.
Beans, green
9 oz.
Potatoes, french fried
9 #Sa
Fresh:
Apples
lb.
Bananas
lb.
Oranges, size 200
d.z.
Lemons
•
lb.
* Priced only in season.
1/ May price for 40 oz., 48.1.




Percent
change

-

-

-

Cereals and
bakery products
Index

Percent
change

127.2
135.6
135.4
132.9
139.3
132.0
129.6
129.0
135.1
153.7

0
.3
.3
.8
.4
.3
.1
.2
.7
.4

134.8
149.1
138.9
140.4
139.8
125.8
152.8
137.3
151.2
139.3

Dairy
products

Fruits and
vegetables

Index

Index

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

107.4

- 1.2

117.3

- 0.2

135.4

2.4

106.0

0.2

0.2
.1
- 1.0
- .1
.3
.2
- .7
0
.2
- .1

110.0
107.5
107.6
102.8
109.0
102.2
102.5
101.2
99.4
107.5

-

1.9
2.3
1.1
1.0
2.2
0.6
1.1
2.5
2.2
.6

117.4
117.5
108.8
121.3
117.3
110.5
119.4
115.8
117.1
115.1

.3
.1
- .1
- 1.1
- .8
- .4
- .3
- .3
.2
- .5

129.4
130.0
135.8
130.7
132.3
128.2
146.0
127.9
127.9
141.5

4.4
5.8
1.7
1.6
1.0
3.2
1.3
2.0
4.8
- 1.7

101.4
106.3
102.3
110.9
108.9
106.5
106.6
102.9
100.9
106.1

0
.2
.3
.2
1.4
.2
.1
.1
.2
.1

102.0
106.8
107.0
109.3
110.2
105.3
112.8
106.5
114.2
105.4

-

1.3
1.4
2.6
.8
.2
.7
2.0
2.1

109.2
116.1
119.9
117.8
118.4
110.7
119.6
111.2
125.3
120.8

2.0
3.1
2.8
4.8
3.0
0.8
1.9
4.1
- .9
5.5

109.1
104.1
105.8
116.6
109.8
111.8
104.1
102.9
102.8
109.3

0

-

- 1.0

- 1.3

Percent
change

Index

.1 140.2
.1 129.6
.4 135.5
.1 136.4
.3 132.3
.4 142.5
- .1 148.2
- .2 132.3
.2 137.6
- 1.2 I 130.5
-

-

Consumer Price Index >- Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average
June
May
Food and unit
1961
1961
Cents
Cents

20.9
29.1
51.9

56.3
1/27.1
23.2
13.2
22.4
26.1
18.5
20.6
20.9
29.1
51.9

101.6
105.4
57.1

104.2
106.6
59.8

50.9
142.0

51.6
142.8
85.1
61.1
69.6
60.1
69.1
63.3
51.0
38.8
47.5
54.6
73.9
32.2

56.3
48.1
23.3
13.3
22.4
26.3

18.6
20.6

80.0

86.2

61.3
69.5

60.0

70.1

62.8

51.3
36.6
46.8
54.2
74.2
32.4 '
24.2
25.8
86.5
76.2
36.3
15.9

26.9
24.7
13.6

20.8

23.1
19.7

21.8
15.6
77.5
19.4

80.8

24.3
25.8

86.8

76.2
36.4
15.9

26.9
25.0
13.7
21.1
23.0
19.6
19.4
15.3
78.4

20.0

Other
foods at hone

Percent
change

139.7

.3
.4
.2
.2
.5
.4
.1
.5
.7
.8

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Fresh—Continued
Grapefruit *
eaob
Peaches *
lb.
Strawberries *
pt.
Grapes, seedless *
— lb.
Watermelons *
lb.
Potatoes
10 lb.
Sweet potatoes
lb.
Onions
ib.
Carrots
lb.
Lettuce
bo ad
Celery
lb.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes
lb.
Beans, green
lb.
Canned:
Orange juice
46-.z. o n
Pineapple juice
46 az. o n
Peaches — earn
Pineapple
#2
Fruit cocktail
#303 eaa
Corn, cream style
1*303 eaa
Peas, green
^303 eai
Tomatoes
<303 eaa
Tomato juice
46 *z. • »»
Baby foods
t» 5 »z.
Dried:
Prunes
lb.
Beans
r>.
Other foods at home:
Tomato soup
io£ ta 11-az. earn
Beans,with pork
16-az. eaa
Pickles, sliced
15 .z.
Catsup, tomato
14 «z.
Potato chips
4 »z.
Coffee
lb. o>a
Coffee
lb. bag
Tea bags
pk?. .f 16
Cola drink, carton
36 az.
Shortening, hydrogenated — 3 ib.
Margarine, colored
ife.
Lard
lb.
Salad dressing
pt0
Peanut butter
ib.
Sugar
5 lb.
Corn syrup
24 *z.
Grape jelly
12 »z.
Chocolate bar
1 oz.
Eggs, Grade A, large
d.z.
Gelatin, flavored
3 ta 4 »z.

.2
.1
.3
.3
.2
- .3
.2
- .5
1.3
- .7
-

.1
.1
.2
.6
.6
.7
.5
.6
- 1.2
.1

June

-mi12.3
29.1
5.3
66.0
18.8
10.9
17.3
17.3
13.5
9.6
29.0
25.9
48.2
33.3
33.6
38.4

26.8
20.8
22.1

16.1
33.3
10.7

41.7

16.8

12.5
14.9

26.6
22.8

27.3
74.5
59.1
24.6
30.6
92.8
29.1
21.4
37.7
55.9
59.1
27.0
29.2
4.5
51.6
9.4

LABOR - D. C.

7
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers. It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes would
represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical
families; they include all of the important items in family spending. Prices for these
items are obtained in k6 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling
stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and
clerical-worker families patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
k6 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities. Mail questionnaires are used
to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items which change in price infrequently. Prices of most other goods and
services are obtained by personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending. City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 19^7-^9 « 100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evans ville, 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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities.
A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 20 large cities are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or any of its regional offices (addresses below).
The historical tables include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for
periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1935 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. E.
Zone 9




New York
3^1 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St.
Zone 11*

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10

LABOR - D« C.