Full text of CPI Detailed Report : March 1960

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Released April 25, i960
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MARCH i960
The Consumer Price Index rose slightly in March, by 0.1 percent, to
125.7 (19^7-^9=100), the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported
today.
The most important advance in March was in food prices, which showed
the first rise in 6 months, largely as a result of seasonal influences. The usual spring
uptrend occurred also in prices for apparel and gasoline. These and a number of other
small price increases among most groups of commodities and services were almost offset by
a stronger-than-usual March decline in prices of used and new cars, and the expected
downturn for heating oil.
FOOD

Prices for food (for home use) reversed the downtrend that began
last October and rose 0.3 percent in March. Restaurant meals
continued the gradual price rise of the past several years.

Higher prices for meats (chiefly pork and chicken), and for eggs and
fresh fruits accounted for most of the rise in food (at home). Price increases for all
cuts of pork reflected a seasonal decline in pork production from the winter peak.
Poultry prices were at their highest since August 1958* The 2.8 percent price increase
for eggs resulted from lower production and marketings following inclement weather in
late February and early March, but egg prices remained well below levels in most months
of 1958 and 1959- Declining supplies of oranges and apples primarily contributed to the
rise in prices for fresh fruits.
Tempering the increase in other food prices, most important fresh
vegetables declined in March, because of plentiful supplies, chiefly of lettuce, tomatoes,
cabbage, celery, and onions.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The March drop in used car prices (^.1 percent) was the largest in
almost 5 years, so that the March index (90.8 percent of the
January 1953 level) fell 7-6 percent below the 7-year high of last
September. Price weakness in March doubtless resulted from a combination of influences,
including large inventories, slow sales during the winter, and competition from compact
cars.
Prices for new cars also declined more than usual in March, as
factory-sponsored sales contests and record-high inventories prompted dealers to offer
larger concessions.

In contrast, prices of other durable goods were up 0.2 percent.
Durable housefurnishings prices rose partly because of the usual return to regular prices
following February sales.
Nondurable goods, other than food, also were up a little. Apparel
prices, which usually rise in the spring, went up an average of Q.k percent in March,
reflecting chiefly introductions of new spring clothing.
Prices for gasoline also rose in March, but fuel oil declined, as
is usual at this time of year.




2

Services continued their almost uninterrupted rise, but most of the
price increases were small in March. In particular, increases were reported for most
medical services, laundry and dry cleaning, and water.
COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENTS

Railroad workers (upwards of 800,000 employes) are the only major
group to receive a wage increase—one cent an hour—on the basis of
the March Consumer Price Index. The change comes as a result of a
semi-annual adjustment.

Wages of about 225,000 electrical workers and about 95*000 aircraft
workers, which are adjusted also on the basis of the March index but at quarterly
intervals, will not be changed. About 13,000 workers in a variety of industries, also
having quarterly adjustments, will receive a one-cent-an-hour raise.

TABLE A: Revised indexes for specified groups and cities for
January and February i960

City

Date
All
items

U.S. city average Jan. i960
Feb. i960
Los Angeles

Jan. i960
Feb. i960

mmmm

129-1
128.8

Revised indexes (1947-49 = 100)
Other
Durable
goods
Private
and
commodiTranspor- transporservices
ties
tation
tation
11*7-6
147-5

136.3
136.0

143-7
142.6

139.9
135.9

113.3
113.3
132.9

Used
cars
93.4
94.7
—

- -

Boston

Jan. i960

—

11*8.5

141.8

—

—

—

Kansas City

Jan. i960

—

15^.9

140.0

—

—

—

Minneapolis

Jan. i960

—

131.8

124.8

—

—

Portland

Jan. i960

127.2

145.2

138.9

—

—

Seattle

Feb. i960

129.0

146.4

134.3

—

—




- -

143.1

3
TABLE It Consumer Price Index—United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, March i960
and percent changes from selected dates
(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)

Percent change to March i960 from

Indexes
March

February

February

i960

I960

I960

All items

125.7

125.6

0.1

Food

117-7
111*. 7
135.5

117.4
114.4
135.2

•3
•3

107.2

106.2

116.1*

116.5
125.9
102.9
117.8

-

131.2

Group

125.0
103.4
118.0

Food away from home (Jan. 1 9 5 3 = 1 0 0 )

.2
•9
.1
-7
•5
.2

December
1959

March
1959

Year

1.6

111.6

0

149.9
143-5
136.9
157.7
133.7
170.0

0.2
-

.1
-3
.7
.6
- -3
- .4
- 1.9
.6

—

-

.7
1.0
- 3.7
2.3
3.6
- 3.6
3.2

1939

113.6
(1/)

2.0

72.5

1.5
4.7
- 2.2
.9
2.4

63.0
18.3

131.3
l4l.2
124.1
137.2
104.7
136.9

141.0
124.0
139.0
104.3
136.3

.1
.1
.1
- 1.3
.4
.4

108.8
108.9
99.6
139.7
93.0

108.4
108.7
99.3
138.7
92.8

.4
.2
.3
.7
.2

-

.4
.2
.7
0
.1

1.7
1.0
.6

146.5
134.9
199.4

•136.0

- 1.5
- 1.9

1.1
.7

199.3

.7
.8
.1

1.1

3.9

106.0
145-3

155.0

154.7

.2

1.2

3.9

113.5

132.7

132.6

.1

.2

2.3

122.7

Reading and recreation

120.9

120.6

.2

.4

3.1

91.9

Other goods and services

131.7

131.8

.1

0

3.5

86.5

129.7

129.7

0

.2

2.2

87.7

123.1

123.0

.1

0

1.4

122.2

116.7

116.7
118.0
117.4
119.4

0
•3
•3

-

-3
.2

.7

118.3
117.7
119.6

-

.1

.2

108.6
103.2
128.9
112.5

108.3
103.0
128.8

-

.3
.5
.5

0
1.9
1.6

126.2
130.2
149.9
103.7
108.4

Housing 3 /
—••••
—
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
•••
• ••
Household operation ••• ••••••••• •
Apparel
Hen's and boys1
Footwear
Other apparel • •

—
»

—
•

Transportation-"
Private
Public
Medical care >

•
-

• •

• ••

Personal care- •••• •• •

1

—

••

•*

*l47.5

-

-

.7
.3
l.l
- .1
.5

1.0

-

-

5.8
1.3

143.3

96.1
100.1

107.2
114.4
82.8
177-7
129.1

108.7

Special groupss
All items less food
All items less shelter

—

CommoditiesNondurable s
Food
—
• • •
Nondurables less food
Apparel
—
• ••••
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and a p p a r e l Durable s — —
• 1 • • •• •• — —
New cars
Used cars (Jan. 1953=100)
Durables less cars—' » — •••••—

90.8

* 94.7

103.6

103-4

.2
.1.
- .7
- 1.4
- 4.1

- 3.5
- 4.6
.3

.3

-

115.7

116.0

149.2
141.2
151.3

148.9
l4l.O
150.9

.2
.1

—
—

138.3
183.9
161.3
134.9

-

- .2
- 1.1

.2

—

Commodities less f o o d - - - • • - — — • ••
Service s
— —
Rent
Services less r e n t —
—
—
Household operation services, gas,
and electricity
Transportation services
Medical care services - • • ••••••
Other services
— —

138.3

*113«3
140.2

•3

.3

.8

.8
2.0
0
- 1.2

.2

(y)
95-6
96.3
142.6

(1/)

.4

80.8

.6

1.1

94.8

.9
•3
l.l

3.3
1.5
3.7

85.6
63.O
105.9
59.0
129.6
128.8
131.4

- 52.7

137.8

.4

183.6

.2

160.8
134.7

•3

1.2
.7
1.3

.1

1.0

3.4
3.1
4.6
3.6

$0,796

0

.1

- 1.5

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar

(1947-49=11.00)

$0,796

-

J / Not available.
2J Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
2J Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop services, and movies.
*
Revised. See table A, page 2.




4

T A B U 2s

ConsuMr ftrios latex—111 items indexes and percent ohanges, eelected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

Percent change to
current month from —

Indexes (1947-49=100)
March

United States city average

••••

• •

Tear

i960

December
1959

March
1959

125.7

125.5

123.7

59.4

129.2
123.9
• • • -129.3
124.5
126.0

129.0
124.0
128.9
124.2
126.5

127.2
123.2
126.6
121.7
123.4

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

March
I960

December
1959

March
1959

126.7
127.7
123.6
126.3
131-6

126.4
127.2
123.8
126.6
131.8

124.3
126.4
122.2
126.0
129.0

November
1959

February
1959

126.1
125.6
121.4
3/129.0
121.9

126.4
125.4
121.5
129.2
121.7

124.8
124.1
120.3
126.9
121.3

January

i960

October
1959

January
1959

126.4
127.0
126.2
126.6
3/127.2

126.7
126.9
126.5
126.8
126.3

125.4
124.5
125.3
124.4
124.2

City
••

December
1959

1939

Tear

March
1959

1939

1.6

111.6

.2

1.6

.1
.3
.2
.4

.6

120.5
110.0

2.1
2.3
2.1

114.1
107.2
112.8

0.2

Cities priced monthly 1/
Detroit
Los A n g e l e s * —
Hew York
Philadelphia

—

•• -

Cities prioed in March, June,
September, December
Atlanta

2/
—

Cincinnati
St. Louis—

—

—

—.

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November

February

i960

2/

Cities prioed in January, April,
July, October

2/

Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh

-

-

Tear

December
1959

1939
58.3
57.9
58.4
59-3

58.6
Tear

November
1959

1939
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
6o.4

Tear
1939

.2
.4
.2
.2
.2

-

-

.2

-

.2
.1

October
1959

January
1959

-

.2

.2
.1

-

58.1
58.3

117.3

120.6
111.6

113.0
124.6

Tear

February
1959

.2

61.0
61.7
60.7

1939

1.9
1.0
1.1
.2
2.0

1.0
1.2
.9
1.7
.5

-

Tear

March
1959

.2
.2
.7

1939

113-0
111.1
107.5

117.9
101.8
Tear
1939

.8
2.0

107.2

•7
1.8
2.4

107.9
117.9
118.2

105.8

j/ Bests priced biiootUy*
2/ Foods, fuels, and a fev other items priced Monthly; rents and other oanoditiei; and services pricsd quarterly.
*

Revised.
See table A, page 2, for revised indexes.

TABUS 3 s Consumer Price Index—Peroent changes from February i960 to March i960
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and coaaodity groups

All
items

City
Bbited States city average—
Chicago
Detroit •

1

••••• • - •••••
• •
——
*

Rev Tork
Philadelphia

*

Based on revised indexes.




Food

Housing

0.1

0.3

0.1

.1
0
.4
.1
.4

.6
.7
.6
.1
.8

0
.2
0
.1
0

-

See table A, page 2.

Apparel
0.4

-

.2
.3
0
.7
.9

Transportation

Beading
fedical Personal
and
care
care
recreation

* - 0.7

*

- .8
- 1.5
1.6
- .7
- .3

-

Other
goods &
servioes

0.2

0.1

0.2

- o.l

0
.1
0
.1
.8

.1

.1
0
0
1.0
.6

-

.2

-

0
.1
0
.1

.7
-

.1
0
.1

*

TABIC 4s

Consumer Frioe Index—All i t i u and caanodity groups

March i960 indexes and percent changes, December 1959 to March i960
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in March i960

Atlanta BaltiCity
more
Average

Grasp

Chicago

Cincin- Detroit •Los
nati
Angeles

New
York

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Franciscc

Indexes (1947-49-100)

Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefuraishings
Household operation
Apparel lien's and boys'
Voaen's and girls'
Footwear —
—
Other apparel

—
—

—
—

127.7

129.2

123.6

123.9

129.3

124.5

126.0

126.3

131.6

117.7'
114.7
135.5

115.0
112.6
126.4
108.4
116.3
125.9
98.9

118.2
li3-9
132.9
106.8
116.8
121.5
104.2

115.1
112.2
130.4
101.3
120.3
119.3
107.9

117.8
114.6
135.4
107.5
117.4
123.0
105.2

116.5
113.5
124.8
102.1
112.8
134.3
103.3

124.4
119.4
147.3
108.6
115.0
138.3
105.9

120.7
116.8
142.0
112.3
119.7
121.0
102.9

120.0
116.6
136.3
109.8
121.1
125.4
101.8

116.7
111.3
123.0
101.3
103.4
129.5
111.1

122.7
119.5
151.3
111.7
120.4
132.8
102.6'

136.1
140.5
132.5
138.0
110.4
145.8

128.2
138.7
109.7
130.6
100.1
135.5

140.6

125.4
143.8
129.1
152.9
96.2
138.3

127.1

125.5
129.4

116.9
127.6
109.0
125.0

138.7
148.2
141.9

129.3

130.0
139.4
102.5
138.8

129.3
149-9
110.9
160.7
104.0
139.0

135.4
153.3
150.4
107.1
126.6

99.6
139.7
93.0

114.6
117.5
104.5
145-5
93.7

111.3
106.8
105.7
142.7
98.7

112.5
115.4
100.7
144.1
97.1

107.7
108.4
97.9
145.0

105.3
107.5
94.1
136.0

89.6

140.7
95.2

108.6
109.1
100.5
136.3
93.6

110.2
109.1
101.3
146.1
91.6

146.5
134.9
199.4

144.6
136.0
193.8

162.1
140.9
215.4

156.8
205.7

155.0
132.7
120.9
131.7

146.6
139.7

123.6

166.6
133.3
132.4
140.3

167.3
137.7
125.5
124.0

116.4
125.O

103. ^
131.3
141.2
124.1
137.2
104.7

136.9
108.8
—

*

Transport*t ion — —
— — —
P r i v a t e - - — - — — — — - - —

Medical care — — — —
-—
Personal care — — — — — — — —
Other goods and services

126.7

107.2

Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone
— — — ;
lousing — —
Rent
— —

125.7

— — — —

IO8.9

133.9

167.2

137.4

—

—

IO6.7

104.6
127.7

120.7
138.4
105.5
138.3

85.6

111.4
112.8
102.6
141.4
86.2

107.9
108.8
97.5
140.5
97.2

145-6
134.1
191.4

136.8
129.0
179-4

144.9
138.5
186.5

148.5
130.0
191.4

155.7
135.9
193.4

161.4
138.1
237.1

164.8
151.9
184.8

155.3
129.2

158.6
134.1

149-7
134.8

121.0

102.2

130.9

139.8

133-0

143.8
124.0
123.6
133.3

160.6

112.2

143.0
124.5
132.3

170.4
131.6
98.9
132.0

157.6
130.4
120.3
133.6

- 0.4

- 0.2

- 0.2

-

- .8
- 1.0
2.3
- 1.7

—

135.6
109.7
141.7

107.8
109.6

96.8

—

Percent change from December 1959 to March i960

All itens —
Food
Food at houe
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Eairy products
— — — —
Fruits end vegetables
Otter foods at bom

—
—
—
—

Housing
Bent
Gas and electricity
—
—
—
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Ion se furnishings — — — — — —
Household operation
Apparel
Men's and boys' — — — — — —
Vcmb'i end girls'
Footwear
— — — — — — —
Other apparel —
•—
transportation
— — — — — —
P r i v a t e — — — — — — — —

0.2

0.2

0.4

.1
.3
.7

.7
.6
1.0

.7
•5
3.7

.6

.6

- .3
- .4
- 1.9

-

.6
.6

- 1.1
- 1.2

-

•3
.4

-

•7
•3

-

1/
*

—
—
—

.5

.9
.6
.2
0
0

1.0

.8

1.1
.1

-

.4

-

.2

-

.7
0

-

.1

-

-

-

.5
.3

- 1.2
.1
.3

-

.3

.6
.4
.3
- 1.4
1.3
3.1
- .3

- 2.0

- 2.1
- 2.0

2.2
- 2.6

•3
1/ -5

.1

-

.1

.2
0

0
.7
0
•3

- 2.5

-

.2

.8

-

.1
—

-

.6
1.3

.8

.6

- .3
- 1.8

.6

.9
0
.7

- 1.5
• - .4
- 3.5
.4

-

.3

-

.7

1.2

- 1.0
- 2.8

.4

-

-

.6

.6

- 2.2
- 2.8

- 1.8
- 2.0

0

0

0

1.2
.2

-

-

.7
.4

-

4.8
.3

.1

1.1

.2

-

0

0

,-

.3

-

.5
.7

-

.6
.1

- 3.4
0

-

.4
.4
3.6

2.9

-

3.2
- 1.6

- 2.3
- 2.4

.8
—

-3

.1

.8

.5
1.8

.3
1.3
1.3

.1

0

.2

.2
.1
.6

0

-

.1
.2

- .5
- 2.5
13.5

-

.1
.3

.1

.6
V

-3
-3

- 1.1
1.0
1.6

-

.4
0

.2

2.5
•3
- .3

0.2

0.3

.3

.2
1.1

- 3.2
0
.5
.4

- 0.1

.h

1.1

Change from January i960 to March i960.
See table A, page 2, for revised indexes.




•5
.4
- .4
- 1.5
•5
.6

.4
•5
.7
4.0
1.3
- 3.1

- 0.2

- 2.8

- 1.5
- 1.9

Public
Medical care — — — — —
Personal care — — — — — —
Reading and recreation
—
Otter goods and services
— —

5.2

0.2

.2
.2
.3
.1

-

-3
.5
1.3
- 1.4
- -3
- 1.9

-

.7
0

.2
- 1.4
1.6

-

.1

- 1.4
•• 1.4

- 1.0

.2
1/ .1
" .8
3.7
.5

-

-

.1
.3

-

.2
.1

-

.9
1.3

.4

- 1.0

.1

-

-

.4
.4
0

.9
- .5
- 8.3
- .2

-

-3

-

.6

.3
- 1.7

1.1
.2
- 1.9

.4
•3
0
.5
.3

- 1.4

1.2

.6

•7

.6
0

.1
.6

-

.4
.4
0

.1
.1

-

.3

-

.1
0

- 1.2

- 2.8

- 1.5
0

- 3.2
0

-

.1

1.5

.1

.8

.4

0
0

.1

6

City
U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore Boston
Chicago - —
Cincinnati Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia —
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
St. Louis
San Francisco —
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

TABI£ 5t Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
March i960 Indexes and percent changes, February i960 to March i960
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49=100)
Total
Cereals and
Meats, poultry,
Dairy
Total food
bakery products
and fish
food at hone
products
Percent
Percent
Percent Index Percent
Percent
change
change
ehange
change
change
117.7

0.3

114.7

115.0
118.2

.8
1.3
.5
.6
0
.4
.7
.3
•3
.6

112.6

118.3
115.1

117.8

113-4
116.5
113.0
110.7
124.4
116.6
120.7

.1
.1
.8
.2
.2
.7
.4
.8
.1
.6

120.0
118.4

120.0
116.7
122.7
113.9

120.9
117.9

TABLE 6t

Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products;

113.9
114.9
112.2
114.6

110.3
113.5
109.7
107.3
119.4

113.0
116.8
116.6
116.2
116.9




0.2

107.2

.9
1.3
•7
.7
.2
.5
.9
.5
•5
.4

108.4
106.8
108.6

147.3

.4
3-2
.5
1.2
1.4
.1
.1
.2
.2
.3

135.0
142.0
136.3
133.7
140.9

.1
.1
.1
.2
.4

123.O

1.0
.1
.1
.1

1.0
.2

132.9
132.6
130.4
135.4

128.2
124.8

125.8
128.2

151.3
133.2
147.9

131.8

.8

101.3
107.5

101.3
102.1
100.8

101.1
108.6
102.7
112.3

109.8

107.2
109.2
101.3
111.7
105.3
109.3
106.1

Percent
change

0.9

116.4

- 0.1

125.0

1.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
1.2
.9
1.1
.5
1.4
1.3

116.3
116.8
113.0
120.3

2.4
- .1
- 1.0
- .2
.2
.1
.2
0
.1
0

125.9
121.5
128.1
119.3
123.0
118.8
134.3
118.9
114.6
138.3

- .2
- 1.2
.1
.3
.2
- -3
1.3
.1
1.3
- .8

128.6
121.0

1.3
l.l
2.5
.2
.9
•9
0
.8
0

117.4

110.5
112.8
115.9
108.6
115.0
107.6
119.7
121.1
117.9

121.6

103.4
120.4

112.8
.5 119.8

119.9

Other
foods at home

129.5

132.8
121.6

103.4

0.5

-

98.9
104.2
101.4
107.9
105.2
105.4
103.3

1.2
2.2

100.8
96.5
105.9

.2
.2
.1

-

121.2
122.8

120.5
130.3

- 0.7

-

125.4

Percent
change

.9
1.2
.3
1.6
1.8
.3
2.1
3.4
.1
.4

- 1.8

108.4

-

102.9
101.8
113.0
106.1
111.1
102.6
100.5

1.9
.8
2.0
1.1
2.0
1.1
3.5
- .5
.7

103.4

106.7

1.9
.9

.2

.7
1.5
.4
.7
.1
.2
.7
1.2
2.5

Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S, city average
March
I960

Cents

s lb.
Flour y wheat
54.9
20 oz.
Biscuit mix
26.9
. , -- lb.
Corn meal <
13.1
. lb.
Rice, short grain 18.7
Rice, long grain —
20.5
18 oz*
Rolled oats
21.9
Corn flakes
25.7
lb.
Bread, white
20.0
,
—
lb.
Soda cracjcera
28.9
Vanilla cookies
— 7 oz.
24.4
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak
lb.
105.6
Chuck roast —
ib.
62.6
ib.
Rib roast
81.6
Hamburger
lb.
52.7
Veal cutlets
lb.
144.0
Pork chops, center cut
80.8
lb.
Bacon, sliced
—
58.8
lb.
Ham, whole
58.8
— lb.
Lamb, leg
• lb.
73-7
lb.
Frankfurters •
61.2
Luncheon meat, canned
—
12 oz.
50.4
Frying chickens, ready-to-cock — ib.
44.2
47.4
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
— ib.
56.4
Haddock, fillet, frozen
ib.
65.O
Salmon, pink, canned
16 oz.
32.2
Tuna fish, canned
to
ah
oz.
6
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
— — qt.
24.7
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
it25.9
Ice cream
§• gal.
87.5
74.4
Butter
Cheese, American process — ~ — \ lb.
33.9
Milk, evaporated
14^-oz. can
15.7
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
26.6
10 oz.
Strawberries
22.4
- 6 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
Peas, green •
10 oz.
19.9
9 oz.
Beans, green •
22.7
Fresh:
• lb.
Apples
14.7
16.2
• lb.
Ban&nae
•
• doz.
64.9
Oranges, size 200
19.0
• lb.
Lemons
12.1
Grapefruit *

* Priced only in season*

135.5
126.4

.1
.2
.9
.3
.2
.8
.6

111.3
119.5

112.2
118.1
115.0

0.3

Fruits and
vegetables

February
I960

Cents
54.7
27.0
13.1
18.8
20.5
21.7
25.7
20.0
28.9
24.4
105.2
62.6
81.3
52.5
143.1
78.2
58.2
58.2
72.5
61.2
50.3
43.2
47.6
56.6
65.0
32.2
24.7
25.9
87.5
74.5
33.8
15.7

26.6
22.6
19.9
22.8
14.1
16.5
63.4
19.1
12.1

Food and unit
Fresh—Continued
ib.
Peaches *
Pt.
Strawberries * —
_
lb.
Grapes, seedless
lb.
_
Watermelons *
—
10
lb.
Potatoes
_ lb.
Sweet potatoes.
— lb.
Onions
—-—
.. lb.
Carrots
head
Lettuce
_ lb.
Celery
—
lb.
Cabbage
_ lb.
Tomatoes
_ lb.
Beans, green •
Canned:
.
46-oz.
can
Orange juice •
_
#2i can
Peaches
— —
#2 can
Pineapple
•»•
#303 can
Fruit cocktail
_
#303 can
Corn, cream style
#303 can
Peas, green
#303 can
Tomatoes — ••
4&
to 5 oz.
Baby foods
Dried:
lb.
Prunes — —
lb.
Beans
Other foods at home:
10h
to
11-oz.
can
Tomato soup
_ 16-oz. can
Beans with pork
15 oz.
Pickles, sliced
... . 14 oz.
Catsup, tomato .•..i...- lb. can
Coffee
_ _ lb. bag
Coffee
— pVg. of» 16
Tea bags
— — — 30 oz.
Cola drink, carton •
Shortening, hydrogenated
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — - — —
ib.
Lard •.
„•
• , • •
ib.
Salad dressing
• • •• ••• • •
pt.
— lb.
Peanut butter
Sugar
ft lb.
Corn syrup «
-24 oz.
• 12 oz.
Grape jelly
—
• 1 oz.
Chocolate bar
— doz.
Eggs, Grade A, large

Gelatin, flavored

March
I960

Cents

69.3

12.8
8.1

12.7
17.7
14.3
9.9

32.8
43.0
33.5
37.7
27.O
18.7
20.0

15.8
10.0

February
- iq6O
Cents

68.6
12.8
8.4
12.9

20.1

14.8

10.8

37.4
33-0
43.5
33.5
37.6

27.0
18.8
20.0

15 A
10.0

39.4
16.8

39.5
16.9

12.5
14.9
26.4
22.3
75.4
59.6
24.3
29.0

12.4
14.9
26.3
22.3
75.4
59.6
24.4
29.1

80.8

26.9

18.1

80.6
27.0
18.2

35-9
55.3
57.5

36.1
55.4
57-3

26.6
28.8

5.1
^9.5
9.3

Labor D.C.

26.6

28.7
5-1
48.2
9-3

7
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bougjit 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 axe 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
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Porks, 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 inaex 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
Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
3^1 Ninth Ave. 105 West Adams St. 630 Sansome St. 18 Oliver St.
Zone 1
Zone 3
Zone 11
Zone 10
LABOR - D. C.