Full text of CPI Detailed Report : March 1959

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Released April 22, 1959
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
C O N S D m PRICE INDEX FCR MARCH 1959
Consumer prioes in United States cities remained at their February
level in torch, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Lover food prices offset increases for most other groups of goods and services* Average
priees of goods and services other than food advanced 0 o 2 percent, with durable commodities and nondurables less food each up 0.3 percent, and services up 0.1 percent. The
March Consumer Price Index was 123*7 (1947-49=100), 0.3 percent higher than in March 1958.
FOOD

Food prices dropped 0.4 percent between February and March, due
largely to lover prioes for pork, eggs, and fresh vegetables* The
food index at 117.7 was 2.6 percent below a year ago, and 3.3 percent below the July 1958
peak.

teat, poultry, and fish prices declined 1*2 percent, led by pork
products which have fallen in price in each of the past 8 months. Increased pork supplies
brought the price of pork chops down 3.7 percent, bacon 2.8 percent, and ham 1.9 percent.
Prices of most cuts of beef, veal, and lamb were moderately lower.
Egg prices dropped 3.1 percent. The price of coffee fell 1*0 peroent, and fats and oils 1.1 percent* frices of cola drinks, however, were 3.0 percent
higher.
Fruit and vegetable prioes declined 0.4 percent on the average, with
fresh vegetables down 2.3 percent and fresh fruits up 0.8 per oent. Prices of most fresh
vegetables were lower because of increased shipments from southern areas. Lettuce prices
fell 14.4 percent, green beans 13*0 percent, celery 6.3 percent, and potatoes 3*0 percent.
However, onion priees rose sharply as fewer onions were moved to market from storage and
the new spring crop from Texas was retarded by. adverse weather conditions* The rise in
fresh fruit prices was due largely to a 4*6 percent seasonal increase in prioes of apples.
Citrus fruits and bananas registered moderate price decreases.
Cereal and bakery products increased 0.2 percent mainly because of an
0.4 percent increase in the price of bread, while prices of dairy products declined 0.2
percent as a result of a seasonal drop in the price of fresh milk.
percent*

ftrices of restaurant meals continued upward with a rise of 0.2

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation costs rose 0.4 percent, mainly as a result of advances
of 1*6 percent in prioes of used cars and 1*0 percent for gasoline.
New car prices were unchanged. Prices of tires were lower, due to sales and increased
trade-in allowances. Riblio transportation costs edged up 0.1 percent because of a rise
in transit fares in Philadelphia.
HOUSING

The housing group index was up 0.2 percent, with higher prices for
household operation, home maintenance costs, and rent. A rise of 0.5
percent in household operation reflected higher water rates, further Increases in prices
of laundry and dry cleaning services, and higher telephone rates. Prices of home repair
and maintenance items rose 0.4 percent, as increases were reported for lumber, plumbing
equipment, and painting and repair services. Rents were up 0.1 percent, with small
increases in most cities surveyed. The solid fuels and fuel oil group showed a rise of
0.2 percent, while bills for gas an4 electricity were unchanged on the average.




2

Housefurnishings prices remained at their February level, as slight reductions in prices
of some furniture and appliances offset higher prices for sheets, curtains, and drapery
fabrics.
OTHER COMMODITIES
A HP m f C E S

Apparel prices rose 0*3 percent,
due chiefly to higher prices for
1
footwear and women's and girls apparel. The rise in footwear
reflected higher prices for men's, women's, and children's shoes and
shoe repair services* Higher prices for women's rayon and cotton dresses were partially
offset by reductions in prices of women's spring coats•
Reading and recreation costs were up 0*2 percent, principally because
of higher charges for movie admissions*
The medical care index was 0*1 percent higher, with continued
advances in fees for professional and hospital services*




Personal care and other goods and services each declined 0*1 percento

TABIC 11 Consuner ftrioe Index—United States city i m t g i
Major group, subgroup, and special group Indexes, March 1959
and percent change* f*cn selected dates

3

(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)

Ptroent change to March 1959 from —

Indexes
Or oup
All iteasFoodFood at honeCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and f i s h Dairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at honeFood away frcn hone (Jan. 1953=100)Housing g/Rent—
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oilHousefumishings
Household operationApparelMen's and b o y s ' —
Vonen's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel-

tech

February

February

December

March

Tear

1959

1959

1959

1958

1958

1939

123.7

123.7

0

0

0.3

117.7

118.2

-

115.5

116.1

-

134.1

133.8

0.4

-

0.8

-

.5

-

1.1

-

.2

o1

108.2

2.6

149.9

3 . 4

145.2

1.1

134.4
167.5

111.3

112.6

-

1.2

-

1.5

-

2.7

113.8

114.0

-

.2

-

. 4

-

.3

128.5

120.7

121.2

-

.4

.5

-

7 . 7

160.7

107.3

108.1

-

3.1

-

5.7

121.7

114.3

114.1

.2

128.7

128.5

.2

139.1

139.0

.1

.3

118.5

118.5

0

.3

2.2

13.0

140.3

140.0

o2

2.4

2.6

148.8

103*8

103.8

0

.2

133.7

133.1

.5

. 7

107.0

106.7

.3

-

107.8

107.8

0

-

.6

99.0

98.8

.2

-

1.2

132.0

131.3

.5

91.8

91.7

.1

144.9

.7

-

.6
.4

-

.5

.5

U / >

.9

69.1

1.5

60.6

.1
2.3

-

1.2
-

2.2

-

94.4
95.5

.2

103.8

1.0

112.2

.2

81.7

1.9

162.4

.1

126.1

Transportation—
Private
Public-

144.3

. 4

. 4

4.5

134.0

133.3

.5

.5

4.7

104.6

192.0

191.8

.1

.1

3.3

136.2

Medical eare-

148.8

148.6

.1

1.0

4.6

105.0

129.8

.1

.5

1.1

117.6

. 2

.3

.3

86.2

.1

0

.1

80.3

.3

1.5

83.6

.3

119.1

Bsrsonal care-

129.7

Reading and re c r e a t i o n — —

117.3

117.1

Other goods and servioes—

127.3

127.4

-

-

106.4

Special groups:
All items less food

126*9

126.7

.2

All itens less shelter-

121.4

121.4

0

115.9

116.0

-

.1

-

.3

-

. 4

117.4

117.6

-

.2

-

.3

-

1.2

117.7

118.2

-

. 4

-

.8

-

2.6

149.9

. 4

100.0

.1

105.2

.6

91.8

CosnoditiesNondurablesFood
Nondurables less foodApparelNondurable s less food and apparelDurables—- Used oars (Jan. 1953=100)Durablss less e a r s — — —
CcMiodities less foodServicesRentServioes less rentHousehold operation servioes, gas,
and electricity- •
Transportation services•
Medical oare s e r v i o e s — — —
Other servioes 2 / —
Purchasing power of the oonsuaer dollar
(1947-49=$1.00)

-

o1

124.6
128.4

117.4

117.1

.3

106.9

106.7

.2

126.4

126.1

.2

112.5

112.2

.3

-

. 4

2.6

96.3

140.0

140.0

0

-

2.5

5.7

145.6

14.1

( 1 / )
80.1

.3
-

.6
.8

90.6

89.2

1.6

1.1

103.2

103.2

0

0

114.4

114.2

.2

0

-

.3
1.1

.6

92.6

144.4

144.2

.1

1.9

79.6

139.1

139.0

.1

.3

1.5

60.6

145.9

145.7

.1

.6

2 . 0

98.5

133.8

133.3

. 4

.6

2.5

53.8

178.4

178.2

.1

1.2

2.9

122.7

154.2

154.0

.1

1.2

5.1

118.7

130.2

130.0

.2

.3

.5

123.3

10.808

$0,606

0

0

-

. 4

- 5 2 . 0

J / Hot available.
2/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
2 / Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep servioes; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop servioes, and novies.




TABUS 2:

Consumer Price Index—All items indexes and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

Percent change to
current month from

Indexes (1947-49=100)

City

Mar.
1959

Dec.
1958

Mar.
1958

United States city average

123.7

123.7

123.3

127.2
123.2
126.2
121.7
123.4

127.0
123.3
126.2
121.3
123.5

126.8
124.2
125.0
121.2
123.1

Mar.
1959

Dec.
1958

Mar.
1958

124.3
126.4
122 0 2
126.0
129.0

124.4
125.5
122.4
125.7
127.9

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5
126.7

Feb.
1959

Nov.
1958

Feb.
1958

124.3
124.1
120.3
126.9
121.3

124.5
124.2
120.7
126.0
121.5

124.5
122.3
119.1
125.0
120.3

Jan.
1959

Oct.
1958

Jan.
1958

125.4
124.5
125.3
124.4
124.2

125.4
124.9
124.5
124.5
124.5

123.4
122.4
123.2
122.6
123.3

—

Dec.
1958

Mar.
1958

Year
1939

59.4

0

0.3

108.2

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

0.2
.1
0
.3
- .1

.3
.8
1.0
•4
.2

117.1
108.8
108.9
102.5
108.4

Mar.
1958

Year
1939

.5
1.9
.1
1.2
1©8

113.2
118.3
109.2
112.5
120.1

Nov.
1958

Feb.
1958

Year
1939

.2
.1
.3
.7
.2

.2
1.5
1.0
1.5
.8

110.8
108.6
105.6
114.4
100.8

Oct.
1958

Jan.
1958

Year
1939

0
.3
.6
.1
.2

1.6
1.7
1.7
1.5
.7

105.6
101.8
106.4
114.1
113.0

Tear
1939

Cities priced monthly l /
Chicago—
Los A n g e l e s — — N«ir
Philadelphia

—
—

-mn.,.,

-

••

-

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December
Atlanta
Cincinnati—
—
St. Louis
San F r a n c i s c o — —

—•—

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November 2/
Cleveland
H o u s t o n —

—

Seattle
Washington, D.C.

—

Cities priced in January, April,
July, October g/
Boston——
•
Kansas City
Minneapolis
—
—
Pittsburgh
Portland, O r e g o n — - — — —
—

—.
—
—

-

Tear
1939

-

Dec.
1958
-

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

.1
.7
.2
.2
.9

-

Year
1939
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

-

Year
1939
61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

-

-

1/ Rents priced bimonthly.
2/ Foods, fuels, and a fev other items priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly.

TABIE 31

Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from February 1959 to Ifarch 1959
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and coonodity groups

All
items

City

0

United States city average—
Chicago
Detroit
Los A n g e l e s —
Nev Y o r k — —
Philadelphia—




— — —

-

0.1
.1
.1
0
.1

Transportation

Food

Housing

Apparel

- 0.4

0.2

0.3

0.4

.2
.6
.3
.5
.3

0
.3
.1
.2
.2

.2
.1
.1
.2
.5

.3
.7
0
.4
.5

-

-

-

Medical
care

Personal
care

Reading
and
recreation

0.1

- 0.1

0.2

.2
.2
.3
.1
.9

- .3
- 1.1
.5
- .2
- .2

-

.1
.3
.1
.1
1.7

-

Other
goods &
servioes
- 0.1
-

-

.2
0
0
0
.2

TABIS 4* Consumer Price Index—-All itemb and carnality groups
March 1959 indexes and percent changes, Daoenber 1958 to March 1959
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in March 1959
U.S.
BaltiCity
Average Atlanta more

Group

Chicago

CincinLos
nati
Detroit Angelas
Indexes

123*7

All iteai
Food
Food at hone
Cereals and bakery products
teats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables

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

—

—

—

Apparel
— — — — — —
Men's and boys'
—
Women'a and girls'
—

Private
Medical care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

— — — —

124.3

126.4

127.2

122.2

5

Sev
York

Phila- Si*
delphia Louis

San
Franoiaoo

(19*7-^9-100)
123.2

126.2

121*7

123 #4

126*0

129*0

119*3
116*9
142*4
114.8
117*7
113*3
107*7

120.4
117.6
138.7
112.4
118.4
122.1
105*7

118.7
114.0
124*8
106.8
105*8
127*0
114*3

122*8
120.9
147*3
115*8
116*9
131*6
108*4

125*7

122*4
128.1
103*4
139*8
107*7
133*8

127*5
147*6
106.2
162.2
105*7
136*9

131*1
148.2
145.2

102.1
123.5

115*6
147.4
104.4
132*5

104*7
108.2
94.7
128.9
85.2

108.2
110.6
99*8
133*5
84*6

106.1
108*5
96*6
132.5
95*9

105*3
108.4
95.2
132.9
92*7

106.6
107.8
99*7
128*0
92*6

108.2
108.8
137.8
90.4

141*5
129*6
191*4

136.7
132.5
157.3

140*9
137*1
162.1

145*0
126*1
191*4

150.9
130.5
193.4

161.9
138.6
237.1

165*6
153*0
182.6

151*2
129*7
110.4
123.5

157.8
133*6
112*5
135*6

139*1
133*6
102.7
124*0

137.5
123*0
119*9
126.9

152.1
134*6
119*8
128.3

166.8
130.4
98.1
132.3

152.8
123*5
115*9
124*4

117.7
115.5
134.1
111.3
113.8
120.7
107.3

114*9
113.4
125.8
113*0
114*0
121.8
100.8

117.2
113*9
128.3
110.8
117*2
113*6
106.5

115.4
112.7
129*6
104*3
113*3
119*1
111*9

117.8
115*0
133.5
110.0
112.5
120.1
110.0

117.0
114*5
124.8
107*0
108.4
129*6
107*1

123.4
119*2
146.0
110.8
110.8
133.4
109.3

128*7
139.1
118.5
140.3
103.8
133*7

131*6
138.8
126.2
134.1
111.1
137.9

128.0
136.3
109.4
142.7
99.8
134*2

138*6
165*0
129*3
144*9
101.1
134.5

124.7
143.2
123.2
151.9
96*4
135.4

127*2
117*2
126.9
109*1
122.9

135.4
146.7
130.7

107.0
107.8
99.0
132.0
91.8

113.4
115.6
104.7
139.5
93.2

109.0
107.2
103.8
132.0
97.6

109.7
113.2
98.9
136.0
95.8

107*0
107*3
98*9
138*3
89*3

144.9
134.0
192.0

144.9
136.9
188.3

159*4
138.0
215.4

154*7
136.7
196.9

148.8
129.7
117.3
127.3

138.1
132*7
118*6
132.8

157.2
126.0
131.5
140.2

155.9
130.2
122.8
121.0

—.

—

_

—

106.9
122.1

ioo.1

Percent change from Deoeaber 1958 to M&rah 1959
All items
Food
Food at hone
—
Cereals and bakery products -Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone
Rent — — — — — — — — —
Oas and electricity
— —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings — — — — —
Household operation — — — — —
Apparel
Men's and boys'
—
Women's and girls'
Other apparel

—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—

•——

Transportation
— — — — — —
P r i v a t e — — — - — —
Puhlic
Medical care
— —
Personal care
Reading and reereatlon

0

- 0.1

- 0.8
- 1.1
.1
- 1*5
- .4
.5
- 3.1

- .7
- 1.0
.6
- 2.2
.4
.9
- 3.0

.4
.3
.3
2.4
.2
.7

.1
.1
0
0
.8
.8

1.7
.4
.9
5.4
1.1
2.1

.4
.5
.8
.9
.2

2.5
.8
3.0
2.6
5.1

.3
.2

- .1
- .1

- .5
- .6
- 1.2
1.2
- .5
.4
.5

.1

1.0
.5
.3
0

-

0
.1
1.3
- .1
.1

1/ Change froa January 1959 to ferch 1959.




-

0.7

0.2

- 0.2

- 0.1

1.3
1.7
.3
1.8
.2
2.4
3.1

.3
.3
5.2
- .7
.4
2.3
-3.1

- 1.3
- 1.7
1.3
- 2*4
- 3*2
.3
- 3*4

-

0

.6
1.2
2.0
1.2

-

.5
2.3
- .1
- 1.3

.2
0
0
1.1
- .2
- .4
- 1.2

.5

- .3
0/.3
.1

.1
1.0
.3
2.3

.2
.4
.7
1.4

.1
.4
.4
1*3
- .9

.1
.6
.5
2.2
- 1.5

.3
.3
0

1.2
1.3
0
.7
.8
•6

- .1
-

0.3

- 0.4
- .7
.1
- .8
.4
- .3
- 2.3

•2
.3
•7
0
.3
.4

.1

1/ . 1

-

0

1.3
1.5
.4
2.5
3.0
2.4
- 2.9

2.9
.5
- .7
- .2

-

-

- .1

-

3

.3

- .1

.6

—

0
4.2
1.2
.1

.5
.2
1.0

0

- .5
.3
- 1.3
.6
- .2

.3
.3
0

1*5
1.8
0

.2
•2
0

3.1
- .1
- 1.7
0

.1
.4
.2
0

1.6
.7
.3

-

- .1

- 0.1
-

1.1
1.5
.6
1.2
2.4
.8
2*3
.7

1/ .5
-

0
3.6
.8
•1

0.2

0.9

- 1.0
- 1.2
0
- 3.2
.3
1.9
- 2.7

0
.2
0
- .6
.1
2.9
- 2.5

A

•8
.8
0

-

.3
0
1.9
1.4
- .1

.1
.2 - .1
- .1
1.0
0

li
.1

- 1.7
- 4.6
2.5
- 1.1
-

-

.1
.5
.1
1.0
.1

.4
.2
2*4

1.3
1.5
0

4.7
5.4
0

2.0

.2
1.1
2.0

.6

- .1

1.0
- .2

, .1

-

0
.2
.6

TABIC 5t Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
March 1959 indexes and percent changes, February 1959 to March 1959
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

0L9*7-*9«10a]

Total
food at home
Percent
change

City
change
U.S. city average
Atlanta —
Baltimore
Boston — — —
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Detroit
— —
•ouston
—
•ansae City
Los Angeles

—

— — — —
—
— — —
—
—
— — —

Minneapolis
— —
1lew York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
S t . Louis
— — —
flan Francisco
—
fleranton — — — — —
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

117.7

0.4

115.5

- 0.5

114.9
117.2
118.3
115.*
117.8
114.2
117.0
135.6

.5
.2
.4
.2

113.4
113.9
115.1
112.7
115.C
111.7
114.5

-

111.6
123.4

—
—
—
—
—

1.1
.1
.6
.3
.4
.3

Insufficient
119.3
.5
.3
120.4
.8
118.8
.7
119.4
.4
118.7

122.8
114.8

119.6

118.9

A

.9
.3
.1

TABLE 6s

.4
.2
.7
.1
- 1.3
- .2
- .6
113.8 - .4
108.8 - .6
119.2 - .5
data due to work
.6
116.9
.4
117.6
.9
117.4
117.4
.8
114.0
.6
120.9
.2
114.2
1.0
117.9
.3
0
116.3

Cereals and bakery products;
Flour., wheat — — — — —
5 lb.
Biscuit mix — — — — — —
20 oz.
Corn Meal —
—
—
—
—
—
ib.
Rice — — — — — —
ib.
Rolled oats —
—
—
18 oz.
C o m flakes — — — — — — —
12 oz.
Bread, white —
—
—
—
ib.
Soda crackers —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — — —
7 oz.
M M t s , poultry, and fish:
Round steak — — — — — — —
ib.
Chuck roast — — — — — —
ib.
Rib roast
— — —
— ib.
Hamburger — — — — —
ib.
Veal cutlets — — — —
—
ib.
Pork chops, center cut —
—
ib.
Bacon, sliced — — — — — —
ib.
Ham, whole — — — — — —
ib.
Lamb, leg —
—
—
ib.
Frankfurters — — — — — — —
ib.
Luncheon neat, canned — — — — 12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen — —
ib.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned —
—
10 oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — — — e to ei oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) —
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream —
—
—
—
—
—
pt.
Butter —
—
—
ib.
Cheese, American process —
—
ib.
Milk, evaporated — — —
144-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange Juice concentrate
6 oz.
Peas, green — — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green
—
9 oz.
Fresh:
Apples — — — — — — — —
ib.
Bananas — — — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges, size 200 —
—
—
doz.
Lemons —
—
—
—
—
—
ib.
Grapefruit *
eeoh




134.1

0.2

125.8
128.3
132.2

.5
0
.5
5.3
.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.1

- 1.2
113.0 - .7
110.8 - .1
111.3

113.4
104.3

- 1.3
129.6
- .9
133.5
110.0 - 1.0
104.3
129.3
- 1.7
107.0 - 1.0
124.8
107.7 - .7
125.8
127.2
104.7 - 1.4
146.0
110.8 - 1.9
stoppage in food stores.
142.4
138.7
133.0
140.3
124.8
147.3
136.0
145.6
132.0

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

114.8
106.8 115.8 111.4 112.4 112.4
110.5
114.9

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Dairy
products
Percent
change

Fruits and
vegetables
Percent
change

113.8

0.2

120.7

114.0

.3
.1
.1
.4
3.4
.1
.6
0
.1
.3

121.8
.2
113.6 - .6
117.2 - 1.6

117.2

115.6
113.3
112.5
110.4
108.4
113.7

108.0
110.8
117.7
118.4
117.2
117.3

105.8

116.9

113.2

.3
.5
0
0
.2
0
.1
0

Mar.
1959

Feb.
1959
Cents
54.8
26.8
12.9
18.5
20.4

25.6
19.5
29.2
24.4

107.2

65.2

82.1
55.2

140.6
81.7
67.5
63.7
73.7
64.9
51.8
43.6
47.7
59.7
60.9
33.5

24.0

107.1
65.5
82.4
55.7
142.5
84.8
69.4
64.9
73.9
65.3

52.0

43.5
47.7

60.2
61.0
33.6
24.1

25.2
29.7
74.3

25.2
29.6

15.2

15.2

58.0

74.5
58.2

22.8

26.2
25.4
19.9
22.9

13.8

13.2

26.1
24.9

20.0

16.9

61.1

18.9

11.6

17.1
61.3
19.1

11.8

112.6

115.4

- 0.4

119.1

- .4
120.1 - 1.2
114.4
2.7
129.6 - .2
124.8
0
112.8
.6
133.4
.5
113.3

122.1

118.4
118.9
127.0

131.6

113.3
126.4
117.5
117.7
Consumer ftrice Index -- Average retail prions of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit

* Priced only in season.

Cereals and
Meats, poultry,
balcery products
and fish
Percent
Percent
change
change

Food and unit
Fresh
Continued
Peaches * —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Strawberries »
.
pt
Grapes, seedless * — — — lb.
Watermelons * — — — — — — — —
ib.
Potatoes
— —
— — —
10 ib.
Sweetpotatoes
lb.
Onions —
—
—
—
—
—
ib.
Carrots — — — — — — —
ib.
Lettuce —
head
Celery
ib.
Cabbage — — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes — — — — — —
ib.
Beans, green — — — — — — —
lb.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — — 46-oz. can
P?aches —
—
#24 can
Pineapple — — — — — — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail — — — — — #303 can
Corn, cream style — — —
#303 can
Peas, green — — — — —
#303 can
Tomatoes — • » — — — — — — #303 can
Baby foods — — — — — —
44 to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — —
ib.
Beans — — — — — — —
ib.
Other foods at home:
Tomato SOUp
lOj- to ll-oz. can
Beans with pork — — — — —
iq-OZ. can
Pickles, sliced —
—
15 oz.
Catsup, tomato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee — — — — — — —
lb, oan
Coffee
bag
Tea bags — — — — —
kg. of lfl
P
Cola drink, carton — — — — —
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated — — - 3 lb.
Margarine, colored
—
lb.
Lard — — — — — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Salad dressing — — — — —
t.
p
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Sugar — — — — — — — — —
a lb.
Corn syrup —
—
—
—
—
24 oz.
Grape jelly — — — — —
12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — — —
1 0 z.
Eggs, Grade A , large —
—
doz.
Gelatin, flavored — — — — 3 to 4 oz.

3.8
.7
1.7
.3
.2
1.2
2.1
.2
•9

Other
foods at hone
Percent
change
107.3

- 0.7

100.8 - 1.7
106.5
102.3
111.9

-

110.3
107.1

- .5
- 1.2

109.3

-

.7

-

1.4
.5
.5

-

.8
.6
.3
.5
.7

.5
.1

- 1.2
110.0 - 1.2

106.2 - .6
100.6 - 1.3

107.7
105.7
116.9
107.8
114.3
108.4
104.3
105.5
IQfl.l

- 1.8

Mar.
1959

Feb.
1959

Cents

Cents

52.8

54.5
14.0
11.7
14.4
19.5

14.2
15.7
14.3
16.7
12.9
9.4
32.1
27.0

13.8
9.9
32.2
31.0

27.8
19.1
20.8
15.8

47.2
35.9
35.8
27.7
18.9
20.8
15.8

39.7
17.2

39.3
17.2

12.5
15.1
26.5
22.7
79.5
61.9

12.5
15.1
26.5

47.4
36.2
36.0

10.1

10.1

22.6

29.2

80.5
62.3
24.1
28.3

89.4
28.3
20.7
37.8
55.9
56.9
26.4

90.0
28.8
21.3
37.8
56.0
56.7
26.4

5.2
54.1
9.2

5.2
55.8
9.2

24.2

28.1

28.1

Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332

7
ftrtaf

foptaaftttw

of

Qf?

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 46 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
46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 fmonths in other cities* Almost all prices 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 1947-4-9=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 citiess
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, V* Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N* Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconia, Mew Hampshire
Lodi, California
Iynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Mlddletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

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
is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer
n
Price Index: A Layman's Guide, which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Docum e n t s , U* S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical
description of the 19index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical Series. Reprints of chapter 9, pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices*
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 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 1935 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Beachtree
Street, N* S*
Zone 9




New York
341 Ninth Ave*
Zone 1

Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
105 West Adams St* 630 Sansome St* 18 Oliver St.
Zone 3
Zone 11
Zone 10
LABOR - D* C*




ELECTION AND TENURE OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL UNION OFFICERS, 1958
A study of union constitutions covering:
* Qualifications for Office
* Nominating and Election Procedures
* Term of Office
* Presidential Salaries
* Removal Procedures

(37 pages,

13

tables)

Order as BLS Bulletin 1239 and send check or money order to any of these
Bureau of Labor Statistics regional offices:
3^1 9th AveNew York 1 , N . Y .

18 Oliver St.
Boston 10, Mass.

1371 Peachtree St., NE
Atlanta 9 , G a .

105 West Adams S t .
Chicago 3 , 111.

630 Sansome S t .
San Francisco 1 1 , Calif.

or to the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 2 5 , D . C .
Price 30 cents a copy

ORDER FORM
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Street Address
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
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Now Available
WAGES A N D RELATED BENEFITS, 19 LABOR M A R K E T S , 1957-58

This 93-page bulletin (No # 122li-20) presents comprehensive
information on w a g e s and related benefits f for 19 major labor markets
surveyed by the U . S . Department of Labor s Bureau of Labor Statistics
during late 1957 and early 1958•
Included are

—

Occupational earnings (selected office,
professional and technical, maintenance, powerplant, custodial, and
material movement occupations)
Trends o f occupational earnings
Wage differences among labor markets
Minimum entrance rates (office)
Types of wage payment plans

Labor-management agreement
coverage
Overtime pay provisions
Shift differentials
(manufac turing)
Scheduled weekly hours
Paid holidays
Paid vacations
Health, insurance, and
retirement p l a n s

Order as BLS Bulletin 122U-20 and send check or money order
to any of these Bureau of Labor Statistics regional offices:
18 Oliver S t .
Boston 1 0 , Mass.

3Ul 9th A v e .
New York 1 , N . Y .

105 West Adams S t .
Chicago 3 9 1 1 1 .

1 3 7 1 Peachtree S t . , NE
Atlanta 9 $ G a .

630 Sansome S t .
San Francisco 1 1 , Calif.

or to the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25* D . C .
Price 50 cents a copy

ORDER FORM
Enclosed find $
(check or money order). Please send m e
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of BLS Bull* 122U-20, Wages and Related Benefits, 19 Labor Markets, 1957-58,
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IS59 2576
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
ftUREAU Of LAftOft STATISTICS