Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1953
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Issued June 23, 1953
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
EXECUTIVE 3-2^20
Moffatt - Ext. 532
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
MAY 1953
Consumer Price Index Rises 0.3 Percent Bfetween
April and May as Prices for Nearly All
Major Groups iocicease
: This report presents the Consumer Price Index for
: May 1953 for the average of U. S. cities and for
2 individual cities. The measurement of price change
: from January 1953 forward is based on the revised
: index structure. Information about the index re2 vision is given in the February 1953 Monthly Labor
2 Review or is available upon request.
Retail prices of goods and services purchased by families of urban wage and clerical workers averaged 0 . 3 percent higher in May than in April 1 9 5 3 * according to the U. S.
Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. All major groups advanced slightly with
the exception of the Transportation group which showed no change. The largest increases
between April and May were in the Food and the Medical Care indexes which rose 0.5 and 0.^
percent, respectively•
The composite index for May was 1 1 ^ . 0 ( 1 9 4 7 - 4 9 u 1 0 0 ) . This was 0 . 9 percent higher than May 1 9 5 2 and 1 2 . 0 percent above June 1 9 5 0 . Converted to a 1 9 3 5 - 3 9 • 1 0 0 base,
the revised index was 1 9 0 . 6 .
FOOD
The U,S. Food index increased 0.5 percent from April to May as average retail food
prices rose in 3 7 of the k6 cities surveyed. The index for May was 1 1 2 . 1 ( 1 9 4 7 - 4 9
• 100), 1#9 percent below the May index of last year, but 11.5 percent above the June 1950
level. A rise of about 7 percent in pork prices dominated the food price increases during
the month.
The increase in pork prices offset the continuing decline in the prices of beef
and veal (down about 1 percent), and chiefly accounted for the rise of 2.2 percent in the
Meats, Poultry and Fish index. This is the first increase for this subgroup since last
August, Lamb prices were up about k^ percent, on the average, due primarily to sharp increases in a few cities. Poultry prices were down slightly, while prices for fish showed
no change.
The Dairy Products index continued its decline with a 1.1 percent decrease over
the month as milk prices fell in several large cities as well as in a number of medium
sized and small cities.
Changes in other food subgroup indexes were relatively minor. The Cereals and
Bakery Products index rose 0.3 percent with price increases recorded for vanilla cookies,
soda crackers, and rice. The Fruits and Vegetables index was up 0.2 percent reflecting the
effects of increases in fresh fruit prices, although prices of fresh vegetables declined.
The index of "Other Foods at Home" declined 0.1 percent as higher prices were reported for
fats and oils, while coffee prices turned down following the increase of the previous month.
Restaurant meal prices rose slightly.
2
Preliminary estimates, based on 8 cities, show an increase of 0.3 percent in
retail prices of food between May 15 and May 25 o These estimates do not include restauran
meal prices,
HOUSING
The Housing index for May was 1 1 7 * a n increase of 0.1 percent above April. The
largest rise over the month was for Residential Rents which advanced 0.7 percent.
The Household Operation index was up 0.3 percent between April and May with increases in a
few cities for dry cleaning and laundry services. Gas and electricity bills averaged 0.1
percent higher than last month. A decrease of 1.5 percent occurred for Solid Fuels and
Fuel Oil as seasonally lower prices were reported in a number of cities for coal and fuel
oil. The Housefumishings index was 0.2 percent below last month reflecting in part lower
prices for household textiles.
APPAREL The Apparel index advanced slightly (0.1 percent) over the month. Prices were
higher, on the average, in most cities for footwear and menfs and boys1 apparel.
Women*s and girls1 apparel showed little change.
OTiiiilK
GROUPS
The Medical Care index rose 0.^ percent due to increases in some cities for group
hospitalization, medical and dental fees, and hospital rates. Pergonal Care costs
advanced 0.3 percent over the month with higher prices reported for beauty shop
services. Prices for Reading and Recreation &nd Other Goods and Services increased 0.1
percent. The Transportation index remained unchanged from April. Increases reported for
auto repairs, gasoline, and railroad fares in the Interstate Commerce Commission Western
District were offset by generally lower prices for used cars.
GENERAL PRICE SITUATION
There has been no pronounced general trend in prices in recent months. The period
has been one of adjustment in particular industries, with upward or downward movements,
beginning in primary markets. On the average, the over-all price indexes are little
changed from a few months ago, either at wholesale or retail.
Despite the generally high level of incomes and of economic activity, s consumer
resistance to higher prices has been reported in a number of fields. Trade reports indicate some slowdown in the sale of houses; dealers have also been reporting sales resistance
for some important consumer durables. Some outright price reductions or concessions have
recently been observed in these fields.
On the whole, several cost increases ~ such as in the steel and petroleum industries — have occurred too recently to judge the effects on prices of finished consumer
goods. However, some manufacturers, such as the major automobile producers, have already
announced that they are planning to absorb these higher costs. Earlier cost increases in
primary markets and wage rate advances, following the end of price and wage controls, are
gradually showing up in the retail prices of a number of services and commodities.
OLD SERIES:
The Bureau has resumed compilation of the Old Series Index, as directed by thei
President on January 30. It is expected that the May 1953 Old Series indexes
will be available about the end of June.
3
TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — U.S. AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY (SOUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates
GROUP
May
1953
April
1953
March
1953
May
1952
Jtme
1950
This Month
Last Month
2 Months Ago
Last Year
Pre-Korea
Year
1939
PreWorld War II
INDEXES (1947-49 • 100)
ALL ITEMS
FOOD 2/
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING 3/
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL 4/
TRANSPORTATION
114.0
113.7
113.6
113.0
101.8
59.4
112.1
111.5
111.7
114.3
100.5
47.1
111.7
118.4
109.2
107.8
115.2
110.3
111.1
118.0
106.8
109.0
115.0
110.4
111.3
117.7
107.4
110.3
115.5
109.1
114.3
117.2
114.5
109.3
124.3
104.4
100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1
47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
117.1
117.0
116.8
114.0
104.9
y
86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
6/
123.0
106.6
121.8
107.6
114.7
122.1
106.5
123.6
107.8
114.3
121.7
106.5
124.4
108.0
114.0
117.4
104.1
115.6
108.3
111.2
108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6
104.7
104.6
104.7
105.8
96.5
129.3
125.1
109.9
105.4
129.4
129.4
MEDICAL CARE
120.7
120.2
119.5
116.1
PERSONAL CARE
112.8
112.5
112.4
111.6
99.2
READING AND RECREATION
108.0
107.9
107.7
106.2
102.5
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/
118.0
117.9
117.5
115.8
103.7
§/
|
!
52.5
y
y
y
y
y
PERCENT CHANGE TO MAY 1953 FROM;
ALL ITEMS
FOOD 2/
Food at home
Cereals and "bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING 3/
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL 4/
May
1952
!
;
March
1953
0.3
0.4
0.9
12.0
91.9
0.5
0.4
- 1.9
11.5
138.0
0.5
0.3
2.2
- l.l
0.2
- 0.1
0.4
0.6
1.7
- 2.3
- 0.3
l.l
- 2.3
1.0
- 4.6
- 1.4
- 7.3
5.7
11.1
15.3
2.9
16.8
12.4
17.2
137.2
107.0
162.5
116.5
148.8
127.9 1/
0.1
0.3
2.7
11.6
53.9 1/
0.7
0.1
- 1.5
- 0.2
0.3
l.l
0.1
- 2.1
- 0.4
0.6
4.8
2.4
5.4
- 0.6
3.1
13.2
3.8
13.2
10.5
15.2
42.0
1.6
116.0
101.5
67.7 1/
- 1.0
8.5
0
0.1
0
0.1
3.4
17.7
MEDICAL CARE
0.4
1.0
4.0
14.5
PERSONAL CARE
0.3
0.4
1.1
13.7
READING AND RECREATION
0.1
|
0.3
1.7
5.4
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/
0.1
j
0.4
1.9
13.8
TRANSPORTATION
l/
2/
3/
%!
5*/
~~
6/
7/
Year
1939
June
1950
April
1953
!
1
99.4
1
87.8 1/
1
66.3 1/
89.3 1/
j
71.4 1/
67.1 1/
See General Explanation at end of tables.
Includes "Food away from home" for which indexes will be available later in 1953•
Includes "Other shelter" for which indexes will be available later in 1953.
Indexes for subgroups of apparel will be available later in 1953.
banking fees, burial
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services,
services, etc.).
Not available. Indexes for 1939 will be published when calculations are completed.
Approximate.
k
TABLE 2.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATE?
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities
« :1 0 0 )
(19 4 7-49
(1935-39 « 100)
P-fuy
U.S. AVERAGE
3/
May
1953
April
1953
March
1953
May
1952
June
1950
May
1953
114.0
113.7
113.6
113.0
101.8
190.6
114.2
115.2
115.6
111. J
113.7
113.8
115.2
115.4
111.2
114.1
114.3
113.6
114.5
110.7
113.2
102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6
195.2
195.5
192.7
184.4
189.4
April
1952
April
1950
April
1953
111.1
113.9
113.5 5/
112.3
114.7
101.2
101.4
102.1 5/
99.9 ~
101.5
179.8
184.0
190.6
191.8
199.9
March
1952
June
1950
March
1953
115.1 6/
112.3
111.3
114.0
113.0
101.3 6/
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9
197.9
196.3
189.6
191.4
197.4
May
1952
May
1950
May
1953
113.1
114.8
112.1
114.6
112.6
100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6
193.7
197.7
186.1
198*. 6
186.4
,
CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:
Ilk.6
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
115.8
115.3
111.4
113.8
CITIES miCED IN JAN., APR.,
JULY, OCT. 4/
Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.
111.7
114.3
115.1
112.8
115.4
CITIES PRICED IN MAR., JUNE,
SEPT., DEC. 4/
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco
116.7
114.2
112.6
114.7
115.5
CITIES PRICED IN FEB., MAY,
AUG., NOV. y
Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.
113.7
116.8
112.0
116.2
113.5
l/
2/
3/
See General Explanation at end of tables.
These are the same indexes shown in columns 1, 2 or 3, converted to a base of 1935-39 » 100.
The U.S. Average is based on prices collected in 46 cities. In addition to the 20 cities listed individually, 26 cities
are included in the national average. Indexes are not calculated for these 26 cities.
4/ Foods, fuels, rents and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
5/ March 1952 and June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
%J February 1952 and May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November.
TABLE 3.
City
U.S. AVERAGE
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — PERCENT CHANGES FROM APRIL 1953 TO MAY 1953
U.S. Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups
All
Items
0.3
0.4
0.5
- 0.3
0.3
0.1
Food
0.5
0.5
0.9
- 0.5
0.5
0.4
Housing
Apparel
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.1
- 0.2
0.6
- 0.2
- 0.1
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.2
See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
Transportation
0
- 0.2
0
- 0.3
0
0.3
Medical
Care
Reading
&
Personal
Care
Recreation
Other
Goods 85
Services
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.2
3.9
0.1
- 0.2
- 0.3
- 0.2
- 0.1
- 0.1
0.6
0.2
0.6
- 0.4
- 0.5
- 0.7
0
0.2
0.1
- 0.2
- 0.2
0
TABLE 4. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY (SOUPS
May 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, February 1953 to May 1953
U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in May
City
All
Items
Total
Food
2/
Housing
Solid
Fuels
Total
Rent
3/
Gas 8s
Electricity
&
Fuel
Oil
TransHouse- HouseApparel portahold
furtion
nish- Operation
ings
Medical
Care
Personal
Care
Other
Reading 8c Goods &
Recre- Services
ation
V
1/
May 1953 Indexes (1947-49 « 100)
U.S. AVERAGE
114.0
112.1
117.1
Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
Scranton
Seattle
Washington ,D.C.
110.8
114.6
109.2
113.7
115.0
115.8
116.8
111.9
112.2
115.3
111.4
110.3
113.8
113.3
112.0
111.5
116.2 , 112.0
110.8
113.5
120.0
117.7
118.7
123.2
123.3
114.3
112.4
114.2
119.0
116.2
123.0
106.6
135.1
100.0
106.8
109.2
j.06.5
109.5
108.0
101.8
111.9
99.0
114.9
118.8
118.6
119.8
119.4
117.0
114.7
104.7
129.4
120.7
112.8
108.0
108,
118.6
112.5
106.3
119.6
107.6
118.6
112.5
105.8
110.3
113.0
106.4
105.4
103.3
107.0
103.6
104.9
104.2
106.5
106.9
103.8
133.5
123.3
125.7
126.7
126.8
127.3
133.5
129.3
133.4
127.3
119.8
119.8
121.3
118.4
119.8
120.5
119.7
114.1
125.0
117.5
114.3
113.8
119.3
119.5
117.8
106.7
116.5
112.1
111.4
111.4
109.8
112.3
114.0
116.7
110.6
122.9
119.4
114.5
104.0
113.9
118.2
106.4
121.8
112.5
118.2
115.3
110.4
125.9
112.9 : 125.1
105.
110.
105,
111.
125.6
118.9
129.9
127.0
126.6
118.0
107.6
107.
109.
101.
108.
108.
Percent Change — February 1953 to May 1953
U.S. AVERAGE
0.5
0.5
0.6
Chicago
Cleveland
1.1
0.6
Detroit
0.6
Houston
Los Angeles
0.3
New York
0.3
0.1
Philadelphia
- 0.2
Scranton
1.4
Seattle
0.4
Washington, D.C.
1.1
1.2
1.1
0.3
- 0.2
- 0.5
0.1
0.5
1.1
0.6
1.2
0.5
- 1.2
- 0.4
1.1
0.1
0.2
1.2
0.3
0.5
1.9
0.3
1.6
0
1.0
0.9 6/ 1.8
1.5
- 0.4
- 1.0 6/ 0.9
1.3
- 0.1 6/ 0.3
0
4.0
- 0.6
0
0.7
0
0
0
0.8
0
- 1.8
- 0.5
- 0.3
0.5
3.3
0
1.4
0.9
1.0
1.6
1.3
0.5
0.2
0.9
4.6
- 1.3
1.2
1.0
1.5
1.2
0.7
1.4
- 0.1
0.3
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.8
0.5
0.4
0.1
0.2
0.5
- 0.7
0.2
- 0.2
0
0.9
0
0.5
- 0.5
2.7
0.2
2.3
0.3
3.9
1.0
1.1
- 0.2
0.1
0
1.2
0.8
- 0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
0.7
0.3
0
0.1
- 0.2
0.5
- 0.4
0.1
2.2
- 0.5
- 0.5
2.1
0
2.4
2.1
1.7
1.9
1.9
2.1
2.1
1.5
1.2
1.0
1.6
2.5
0.4
- 3.5
- 5.2
- 6.3
11.7
- 4.2
-
-
1/ through 5/t s e e footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
Z/ Change from November 1952 to May 1953.
TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
May 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, April 1953 to May 1953
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities
(1947-49 - 100)
Meats, Poultry
Cereals &
Total
& Fish
Bakery Products
Total Food 2/ Food at Home
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index Change
Index Change
Index Change
Index Change
112.1
0.5
111.7
112.8
112.2
108.8
110.8
114.1
0.1
0.4
0.5
0.9
1.0
112.6
111.7
107.9
110.5
113.9
0.6
108.6
114.9
109.2
115.0
111.9
110.2
112.2
0.9
0
0.8
0.5
112.7
110.3
113.3
112.5
113.4
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.6
0.4
113.0
109.8
112.9
112.3
113.4
112.9
113.9
111.5
1.2
0.2
112.5
113.7
110.8
111.9
110.1
112.0
110.8
0.5
0.3
0.5
111.1
109.6
111.4
Fruits &
Vegetables
Percent
Index Change
Other
Foods at Home
Index
0.5
118.4
0.3
109.2
2.2
107.8
- 1.1
115.2
0.2
110.3
1.2
115.9
117.1
117.3
115.2
117.6
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.7
0.1
115.2
110.0
103.5
104.7
113.2
3.0
0.9
2.0
2.4
3.6
111.6
112.4
106.1
108.6
109.1
- 2.4
116.7
112.4
108.2
2.1
2.3
0.3
113.5
114.9
0.2
0
104.6
108.3
106.1
116.8
115.4
0.2
0.5
0.2
0.1
0.3
106.0
108.2
107.6
107.6
109.5
1.7
2.2
3.0
3.7
0.3
99.3
109.7
108.1
106.0
109.5
-
3.^
0.5
4.3
0.5
0.1
110.8
127.6
115.4
0.6
115.0
116.3
114.9
117.2
117.7
110.2
2.5
1.9
3.3
0.5
109.7
2.6
108.1
111.3
0.8
0.4
0.4
0.7
0.4
119.6
122.6
118.6
119.3
114.7
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.6
105.3
108.2
110.2
105.6
114.8
1.9
2.3
2.2
2.7
1.5
108.5
102.2
109.7
110.2
110.0
- 0.3
- 2.5
- 0.2
122.7
111.8
116.0
113.2
114.0
1.4
2.2
0.5
109.2
110.1
0.3
118.1
112.8
1.4
113.2
123.7
116.3
119.3
115.7
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.5
1.3
111.3
109.5
107.6
107.8
105.4
3-0
0.7
0.7
2.3
0.8
100.6
110.3
107.9
108.6
113.2
- 0.2
0
0
- 0.8
117.7
122.1
112.5
118.2
109.7
1.1
0
0.3
1.0
0.7
118.0
108.9
110.2
109.2
108.7
0.2
0.4
0.7
1.1
0.6
1.0
0.3
1.0
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.3
See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
Dairy
Products
Percent
Index Change
- 0.1
- 0.7
- 0.1
- 0.2
- 0.2
- 0.1
- 0.2
0.6
112.0
112.1
111.1
116.6
6
GENERAL EXPLANATION
The Consumer Price Index (revised January 1953) measures the average change in
prices of goods and services purchased by city wage-earner and clericaL-worker families .
The goods and services included in the index "market basket" are those required to maintain the level of living characteristic of such families in 1952. The quantities and
qualities of the items in the "market basket" remain the same between consecutive pricing
periods, so that the index measures the effect of price change only on the cost of living
of these families.
The indexes are presented on a base of 19li7-U£*100. The index numbers thus show
the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19U7-U9 average. (For convenience
of users, these indexes are also shown on the base 1 9 3 5 - 1 0 0 • Note that they are
calculated using the new samples, items and weights). The city indexes do not indicate
whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Conparisons of city indexes
show only whether prices have risen more or less in one city than another since the base
period.
The Bureau has been compiling the Consumer Price Index for nearly 1*0 years. At
four different times it has been necessary to bring the "market basket" of goods and services up to date and to modernize the samples and methods of calculation. The indexes in
this report are revised as of January 1953* The "market basket" is based on extensive
surveys of postwar expenditure patterns of city families, and reflects changes that have
occurred since prewar in the amounts, kinds and qualities of things people buy, as well as
new things that were not part of our pattern of living a few years ago.
About 300 items are priced to estimate the average change in prices of all items
in the "market basket." Among these items are all the important goods and services that
wage and clerical workers buy. Prices are collected at regular intervals, and the successive prices are conpared to determine price changes. The items priced are described
by detailed specifications to insure that as far as possible, the same quality is priced
each time, and that differences in reported prices are measures of price change only.
Prices are obtained in a sanple of U6 cities representative of all cities in the U.S.,
including the 12 largest urban areas with populations over 1 million, 9 other large cities,
9 medium-sized cities, and 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by stores
of various kinds and by service establishments and individuals (such as physicians and
dentists) from whom wage and clerical workers buy goods and services.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced monthly in all cities.
Prices of most other goods and services are obtained on a regular rotating pricing cyclemonthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 2$ large and medium-sized cities, and
every h months in the 16 smallest cities. In any given month, goods and services other
than foods, fuels and rents are priced in 17 or 18 cities out of the !|6. Price collection
extends over 3 or k weeks, centered on the l£th of the month. Prices for a few items
(e.g., auto insurance, railroad fares) are computed from published sources.
Food. Food prices are collected monthly from chain and representative independent
food stores in all U6 cities, during the first 3 days of the week which includes the l£th
of the month. Prices for restaurant meals are based on menus collected on the regular
pricing cycle for each city as described above.
Rent. Rents are obtained each month by mail from tenants of representative samples
of dwellings in each of the li6 cities, and once every 2 years by personal visit, when
local samples of dwellings are als<? reviewed. The rent index measures changes in rent
from one period to another for the same rented dwellings, with the same facilities,
furnishings and services.
Other Shelter. Materials and services for house maintenance and repair are priced
on the regular city pricing cycle. Prices of houses,* fire insurance rates, mortgage
interest and taxes, which change only occasionally, are obtained annually or biennially,
and changes estimated between pricing dates. Sales prices of houses are obtained from
records of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
7
Fuelsj including Gas and Electricity, Prices prevailing on the 15 th of the month
are collected monthly by mail from fuel dealers and utility companies in i;6 cities.
All Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and Rents. Prices are collected
in person, on the city cycle described above, from sairples of representative department
stores, apparel and shoe stores, housefurnishings and appliance dealers, barber shops,
beauty shops, doctors, hospitals, moving picture theaters, etc. Prices for such items as
newspapers, street car and bus fares, and telephone service are collected by mail. Prices
of used cars are obtained from car dealers through a trade association.
Price changes for all items in each city are combined in accordance with their
importance in the "market basket" for that city to obtain an average price change for that
city. Price changes for the 1*6 cities are combined for the U.S. with the use of 1950 population data. Each city is given an iuportance or weight proportionate to the wage-earner
and clerical-worker population it represents in the index. The 12 largest cities, each
weighted by its own population, when combined have about two-fifths of the total weight in
the national index. Each of the 3 other city-size groups has about one-fifth of the total
weight; i.e., the 9 other large cities, the 9 mediuirwsized cities, and the 16 small cities.
City indexes are compiled for the 20 largest of the i|6 cities priced for the national average* The remaining 26 cities in which prices are collected are:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W* Virginia
Evansvllle, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska
Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark$ Ohio
Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyoming
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ohio
The present index, as described above, has been linked (spliced) to the "interim
adjusted" Consumer Price Index for 3h cities, issued through December 1952, to form a
continuous series back to 1913• 1/
For detailed descriptions of the Consumer Price Index, its uses and limitations,
see the following:
"The Consumer Price Index," A Short Description of the Index as Revised, 1953*
"The Revised Consumers* Price Index—A Summary of Changes in the Index and
Suggestions for Transition f*ora the 1 Interim Adjusted1 and 'Old Series1
Indexes to the Revised Index."
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 1039: "Interim Adjustment of the
Consumers1 Price Index."
January 1951 Report: "Consumers' Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
December 1952 Report: "Consumers' Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
Monthly Labor Review articles:
The Revised Consumer Price Index
Adjusted Consumers' Price Index:
Interim Adjustment of Consumers'
Selection of Cities for Consumer
Revision of the Consumers' Price
(February 1953).
Relative Importance of Items (June 1951).
Price Index (April 1951).
Expenditure Survey-1950 (April 1951).
Index (July 1950).
1/ See December 1952 report, "Consumers' Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Tables of
"" rebased "interim adjusted" indexes for the U. S. and for 20 cities are available upon
request.
Issued June Z6§ 1953
BKPAEftffiJJT OF UFCR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25' *
C*
EXECUTIVE
Koffatt Exb* ^32
"QI*D SERIES1' o c w m m s * PRICE INDEX* MAY
s!*01d Series11 Consumers1Price" Indexes ' are""being compiled
jfor the months Januaiy-June 1953* at the direction of the
:President and the Secretary of labort to facilitate
:orderly transition to use of the Revised Index .in wage
iescalator clauses under collective agreements© The June
:Index (issued at the end of July) will be the last of the
:11 Old Series." The Revised Index only on both 1935-39 58
ilOO and the official I9h?*k9 " 100 base period will be
tissued thereafter*
'V
s
t
i
t
:
•
:
t
?For a description of the Revised Index, sec "The Consumer :
:Price Index — A Short Description of the Index as Revised,:
;1953#" ror discussion of the arithmetic problems of
:
:transition from the nOld Series" to the Revised for mf;c t
^contract purposes, see MThe Revised Consmrrs1 Price Index.s
:A Suminary of Changes in the Index and Suggestions for
t
:Transition from the «InterSjn" Adjusted V and f01d Series1
:
:
:Indexes to the Revised Index*n
The 11 Old Series11 Consumers1 Price Index for Hay 1953
188*8
(1°39*100), an increase of 0*3 percent from April, the U.S. Department of
Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today. Over the February to Kay
quarter^ the index rose 0.1 porcent. This increase reflects advances in residential
rents and miscellaneous goods and services. The rise over the month resulted
primarily from higher prices for food and a continued increase in residential
rente.
o n ymrx coksikhvu* prise TirpsrsoK MODS^ni-iNcaiE T^'IUIS 5/
h#s# twmm jm 17 cities fy groups
MAT 15, 19s'3
(19
• 100)
CITY
1
t
1 ALL
XTEKS
U. S. AVEtlGE
188.8
Pirminghan, Ala.
195.1}
Boston, '.Mas-*
177.5
Chicago, 111.
193.5
Cindinnati, Ohio
191.3
Glevfelandj, Ohio
lS!2.d
Detroiti Kich.
196.7
Houston, TeXxis
193*3
Los nrelCs, Calif,, 169.U
KLlvaul'cee, Wise.
196^9
New Orleans, Iii.
190.1
Net-; Yorkf n; Y.
182.7
Norfolk, Va,
19i:3
Philadelphia, Pa. IB?. 3
Pittsburgh, Pa.
19i:7
Scranton, ?a.
185.3
Seattle, 'fash.
195.ii.
Washingtonf D. C. 185.5
~f^71SZc7Tl
* R m i G i m T I O N : HOUSE* j
CAS IT: FUPjriSII.• : MI3CELFOOD j A P R L m » HEIfT i TOTAL : EISC. j XIIGG •
.cJEOUS
* TJ'
-tV
t-f
TA'"4
" """'**
f- -" "•»'-'—•
»
!
1
100.7
222.0
202.0
206.il ;j 179.6
139.9 151.6
219.0
20&5
227.it
22 5; 6
231:5
?2li.ii
226.9
232;o
219.1;
229.5
218.7
226.9
217.2
229.3j
t 22?.0|
211.3
186:2
266: h
203.?
202.5
199.3
21k. 7
193.3
198;9
209,6
192.9
155:9
i?s:<ji
<• • J f)^
190:7
19?:.'+
226.9
213.6
199.7
228,6
137.8
158.3
139.91
159.2;
162.2
165.1
106.2
108.ii
15<%6
115.3
150.3
166.0
1SK9
126.9
nr.o
159.7
173.9
liiO.7
161.61w
195.0
79.3
ll8.ii 195.9
83*5 193.ii
no.5
195.3
186;5
110.3
217:8
93.2
91.5 190.6
100,6
205.7
102:2
22';.1;
76.2 !1 206®8
105.9 :| 192i: 3
98.5 j 202.1
102;. 2 ; 211.6
llii.0 206; 6
178.1
105:h
91.2 205,5
iii
rr
o-j-.-..
^ !;
: 220,1
: 175.6
171.U
18<).6
131. h
179:7
!! 197.7
s! 161.8
i; 17 G.2
173.2:
158.8
17?.7
« f
;| 17?.0
! 179.7
; i?u• 8
|j 16k
.5
i 191.3
1I 18 3
.3
PFRCENT CHANGE E a ! FEBRUARY
U. S. AV1'?AGE
0.1
-0.5
0.1
l.li
•1.6
1.0
0.3
0
Birmingham^ Ala»
0.3
1.0
-O.ii
-5.8
0
Boston,"Masse
-0„8
-0.il
-1.9
-2.9 -0.2
Chicago* Hi*
0„1
«0„1
0,7
0
•1.3
0.6
0.6
Cincinnati, Ohio
0.3
-1.2
JL. f
0.8
0.9
o.fc
Cleveland, Ohio
3.3
0
Detroit, Kich*
0
Qih
0*5
0„1
Houston, ?e:cas
a
0
-1.3
•0.3
LOG Angelas, Calii^
2/ 1*8.
:
0
0.7
-1.9
o
1.
M&waukoe, Wise*
1.6
1*2
0.3
1.7
0 .k
3.1
New Orleans, La.
•O.Li -1.7
i;6
2.6
1.7
0.9
'O
New York, N* I*
9
0
-0.3
-0.5
-3*5
<
Norfolk, Va*
«<Go3
0.9
0
1.3
0
n c
Philadelphia, Pa*
-0.3 1
0
-0.3
•3.2;
Pittsburgh, Pa*
0
0.2
-1,6 !\
0
0.3!
Sorantcn, Pa*
-1.0
-0*1
{2/
1
o
0.9
•0.5
-3.9}
Seattle, v!kzhm
1.2
-0:5 j!
1,9
Washinpton5 tu C 0
0*1
.1.2 1 '?/ (
-0.5
0
w
1/ For derails c
ie rcinctituti.on of the "ol- £-ries indexes coe
.v. w v ...
WUMW
Wlilwi Price
. i 4.W In• v^^.
:unor
* v l.'^
J..i-rv
1953."
2/ Chance fron November 1952.
i
-2,8j
-0.2
1.1
o.5
1.7
-0.3
OJi
0.3
0.3
o;6
0c9
-0.8
-1.3
0
-1.1
-1,0
0o2
0.9
o.ii
1.0
0.6
1.3
1.7
1.0
0.6
0«6
2.1
1.2
c.7
0.8
2.7
1.0
"MenoranchEi to
Labor - D, 0.
@FedFRASER