Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1955
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Issued June 23* 1955 U.S. DEPARTMENT OP LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25 # D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - MAI 1955 The Consumer Price Index was unchanged between April and May, remaining at lliu2 percent of the 19U7-U9 average* according to the U*S» Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics* This index has varied by only 0.1 percent in the past 6 months* Prices for the food, housing, and reading and recreation categories each declined 0*1 percent, while prices of transportation, apparel, medical care,and personal care each rose 0«2 percent• The "other goods and services" category increased 0*1 percent* FOOD The decline in food prices was the first since last December* However, half the U6 cities surveyed reported higher average food prices between April and May* At 111*1, the food index was 1*9 percent lower than a year earlier and 10*5 percent above June 1950* The slight change represented for poultry, eggs, and beef, and increases for pork particularly potatoes and apples* Of food at hone, higher between April and May* Prices of restaurant largely the net effeet of decreases and fresh fruits and vegetables, only fruits and vegetables averaged seals edged higher* Fresh fruit and vegetable prices averaged about 3*it percent higher over the month, somewhat more than usual for this period of the year. The retail prices of white potatoes again advanced (about 15 percent) following the sharp price rise recorded in April* Reflecting the late March freeze, average potato prices increased almost 50 percent from March to May to about 80 centr for 10 pounds* The retail prices of apples, which have been increasing steadily since October 195U* increased another 12 percent over the month* The prices of oranges alio advanced, about 5 percent* Prices of lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and strawberries decreased over the month as greater supplies moved into the market* As supplies increased, poultry prices declined 7*3 percent over the month, following U months of steady advance* Meat prices averaged higher in May as prices for pork chops and ham increased 6*6 percent and 2*5 percent respectively, with the seasonal decreases in marketing of hogs* However, prices of all other meat items were lower* Chuck roast prices were down 3*5 percent and round steak, 1*8 percent* Eggs were a better buy in most cities as the average price decreased 3*1 percent to the lowest for any May since 1950* Dairy products declined for the fifth consecutive month* Coffee prices continued down, but only slightly, for the fourth consecutive month* Tea prices fell a little following 13 months of continuous advance* The slight decline in the cereals and bakery products index constituted its first decrease in more than a year* 2 HOUSING Between April and May, the housing index declined CU1 percent® There were price decreases for housefurnishings and solid fuels and fuel oil while rents, gas and electric bills, and household operation costs were slightly higher* Housefurnishings prices declined 0.8 percent over the month. Traditional May white sales resulted in reduced prices for sheets. Prices for refrigerators, cook stoves, and washing machines were also lower in some cities as retailers cut prices to meet competition and to promote increased volume. Substantial price decreases for anthracite, and smaller reductions for bituminous coal and fuel oil, brought the solid fuels and fuel oil index doim 2.5 percent from April. These declines are customary with the onset of warmer weather. Residential rents resumed their gradual increase in May, moving to a level 0.3 percent above April. The majority of rental dwellings reported no change in rent over the month. Gas and electric bills increased 0.5 percent, on the average, between April and May. The rise of 0.8 percent in household operation costs was due almost entirely to substantial increases in water rates in several cities. OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES The transportation index rose as a firmer market for used cars was reported in May. Sharp competition among service stations in a few cities brought about large reductions in local gasoline prices. The apparel scattered increases were reported advances in leather prices. Shoe increases in costs of leather and index rose slightly between April and May. Some in prices for men's street oxfords, reflecting recent repairs were also higher in some cities because of rubber heels. The medical care index advanced as higher fees for physicians1 afod surgeons services were reported in some cities, and higher room rates were posted in a number of hospitals. 1 Higher prices for haircuts in one city and beauty shop services in a few others were responsible for the increase in the personal care index. Some stores reported reduced prices for television sets and radios to meet competition. Cigarette prices were up in a few cities. TABIE 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates March 1955 April 1955 May 1955 May 1954 June 1950 Group This Month Last Month 2 Months Ago Last Year Pre-Korea Year 1939 PreWorld War I I INDEXES ( 1 9 4 7 - 4 9 = 1 0 0 ) 11U.2 lliw2 111*. 3 115.0 101.8 59.4 . 111.1 111.2 110.8 113.3 100.5 47.1 Food at hone • • • • • • • . Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish • . Dairy products • • • • • • 110,0 • •• . 11 20 32 .. 81 • . 10U.0 120.2 109.7 123.9 102.3 108.h 110.1 123.9 103.0 10U.6 117.5 109.4 112.0 111.9 112.8 121.3 111.0 103.5 11U.6 114.5 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 94.1 47.1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48k4 119.U 119.5 119.6 118.9 104.9 76.1 • * 11 31 00 .. 39 Solid fuels and fuel oil . . 122.5 Housefurnishings • • • • • • • . 103.7 119.0 129.9 110.3 125.7 10U.5 118.1 130.0 110.3 126.2 10U.6 117.9 128.3 107.7 120.9 105.9 117.2 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.4 99.6 86.6 104.9 56.4 53.4 68.4 103.3 103.1 103.2 10U.2 96.5 52.5 105.7 97.3 117. 4 90.3 105.5 97.1 116.9 90.2 105.6 97.U 116.7 90. h 107.3 98.5 115.9 90.9 98.1 93.3 102.1 88.1* 125.5 127.5 113.9 106.5 119.9 125.3 127.3 113.7 106.6 119.8 127.3 127.0 113.5 106.6 119.8 129.1 125.1 113.0 106.U 120.1 109.9 105.4 99.2 102.5 103.7 May 1954 June 1950 FOOD 1 / Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . Footwear . . . . . » • . • « TRANSPORTATION READING AND RECREATION . . . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/ . . 105 . a yV 57 y 68.9 7 2.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 PERCENT CHANGE TO MAY 1955 FROM: April 1955 0 - 1.9 10.5 135.9 2.5 2.1 - 8.0 0.5 4.9 - 5.3 9.5 20.5 12.7 17.3 15.2 133.5 116.4 145.4 108.8 159.6 124.0 - 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.6 2.3 - 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.2 1.3 7.3 - 3.1 - - - 0.1 - - 3.8 0.2 0.4 13.8 56.9 0.2 0.5 1.6 19.9 8.0 13.8 6.5 19.5 50.5 5.7 117.2 94.2 74.0 - 2.5 - 2.9 0.9 0.9 3.0 1.3 - 2.1 1.5 0.2 0.1 - 0.9 7.0 96.8 0.1 - 7.7 4.3 y - 0.8 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 4/ 12.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 1/ 2/ - 0.7 Year 1939 0^3 0.1 - OTHER 'GOODS AND SERVICES March 1955 - 0.1 0*2 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 - - 0.1 1.5 1.2 1.3 - 0.7 -1.1; - - 0.1 0.6 0.4 o.U - 0.1 0.1 2.8 1.9 0.8 0.1 - 0.2 15.0 2.1 llu2 21.0 liw8 3.9 15.6 Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees, bipial services, etc.). Not available. w W 82.1 75.6 91.1 69.0 69.8 k TABIZ 2. CGHSUMER PRICE — ALL ITENB WDRXES FOR SEI2CTED DATES U.S. C U T AVERAGE AID 20 LARGS CITIES (1935-39=100) ( 1 9 ^ 7 ^ 9 - 1 0 0 ) City U.S. C O T AVERAGE May 1955 April 1955 Msy 195U June 1950 Year 1939 May 1955 11U.2 11U.2 115.0 101.8 59 .k 190.9 117.2 116.U 115.1* 111.6 115.5 116.9 116.2 lll*.5 112.3 115.8 117.3 116.9 115.9 112.9 115.3 102.6 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.* 60.1 59.2 199.6 196.5 192.8 185.0 192.2 May 195L May 1950 1/ CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: Detroit Philadelphia • • . . • • • . . • • CITIES ZRICED Hi FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/ Msy 1955 February 1955 115.3 115.5 lll.l 116.8 113.5 llii.9 115.7 111.7 116.3 113.2 115.3 116.7 112.3 116.3 113.7 100.ii 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 CITIES PRICED I* JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 2/ April 1955 January 1955 April 195U April 1950 Boston . . . . . . 113.U 115.2 113.0 115.3 116.5 113.8 111.6 112.9 115.5 116.3 11U.5 lli*.8 101.2 101.U 3/ 102.1 99.9 101.5 ..«.«»«. ii?;o 113.8 llli.2 CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, March 1955 SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2 / December 195U 117.0 11U.8 11U.2 116.9 116.5 115.7 11U.8 113.3 ll5.li 115.7 115.3 llii.9 113.U 115.6 115.6 l/ 2/ 3/ 2f March 195U May 1955 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.u 196.5 195.5 185.1 199.6 186. U April 1955 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 182.6 185.5 193.8 193.5 197.8 June 1950 W 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.3 100.9 March 1955 58.3 57.9 58.it 59.3 58.6 195.5 197.5 191.0 192.9 197.6 These are the suae Indexes shown In column 1, converted to a base of 1935*39 = 100. roods, fuels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. June 1950j formerly priced In March, June, September, December* Kay 1950j forasrly priced February, May, August, November. TABLE 3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES PROM APRIL 1955 TO MAY 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups All Items City U.S. CITY AVERAGE Chicago • • Detroit • • Los Angeles New York Philadelphia 0 •••••• •••••• •••••• •••••• 0.3 0.2 0.8 - 0.1* - 0.3 Reading Personal and Care Recreation Other Goods & Services Food Housing Apparel Transportation - 0.1 - 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.1 1.U - 0.5 1.2 0 0.1 0 0.6 0 - 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 0 - 1.0 - O.ii - 0.2 0.5 0 0.1 0.3 0 - 0.1 0.2 1.0 - 0.8 - 1.0 - 0.6 - 0.1 2.2 - 0.3 - 0.8 <\>. i 0.2 0 0.3 0 - o.l Medical Care 5 TABLE k. CONSUMER IRICE m W — ALL ISBNS AMD COMMODITY GROUPS May 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, February 1955 to May 1955 U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in May 1955 U.S. Los Clevecm AVERAGE Chicago land Detroit Houston Angeles Group May 1 9 5 5 Indexes ( 1 9 U 7 - U 9 - ALL ITEMS Food at hone « • • • • • • • • • • Cereals and bakery products . Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products • • • • • • • • • • Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home • • • • • • • • Rent • • • • • • « • • • Gas and electricity . . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings • . • . Household operation • • . Men's and boys' . . • . . Women's and girls' . . . Footwear . . . . . . . . Other apparel • • • • . . • • TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE . . . . . . . PERSONAL CARE . T READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 100) 117.2 115.3 1 1 6 .U 115.5 115.U 111.8 115.5 lll.U 116.8 113.5 111.1 109.2 109.6 11U.U 110.7 112.1 110.5 112.9 108.6 113.2 111.3 110.0 107.7 118.8 108.6 113.2 109.6 109.6 120.1 120.0 118.1 96.9 100.8 100.3 101.3 96.5 105.8 108.6 123.8 102 # 1 10U.0 103. U 120.2 127.9 101.8 102.9 111.7 120.9 108.U 112.3 109.7 128.0 117.1* 127.8 122.0 10U.0 10U.9 102.0 101.6 99.3 101.6 106.0 10U.9 108.U 109.5 12U.U 117.0 126.7 117.7 108.0 105.6 108.9 108.0 11U.6 121.3 116.9 109.3 113.U 118.6 119.3 137.2 119.2 108.U 113.9 U 2 . 3 110.0 108.2 108.1 109.5 119.U 129.0 122.0 121.8 122.0 125.5 11U.9 11U.0 110.9 110.5 109.1 108.7 106.8 116.2 109.0 102.3 119.U 88^8 122.5 126.2 120.3 119.0 123.9 113.1 121.3 130.9 128.6 107.6 99.2 105.8 103.6 105.0 99.9 10U.8 105.U 112.0 127.0 12U.5 119.3 11U.3 109.9 11U.5 119.U 101.U 10U.1 106.3 105.U 101.1 105.7 10U.3 107.2 108.8 93.6 101.6 101. U 99.1 9U.8 111.5 121.2 121.0 115.2 92.9 91.1 91.8 85.9 90.1 116.0 139.2 105.5 103.7 102.5 l i 9 . 0 121.1 113.8 103.3 10U.2 103.8 101.9 107.1 103.7 1 0 5 #7 109.6 108.5 106.8 105.5 107 101.5 9U. 8 .U 96.1 9U.U 121.2 117.0 113.3 128.7 118.0 90.3 92.6 92.7 87.1 90.7 82.U 97.3 ....... WashingPhila- Scrandelphia ton Seattle ton, D.( llU.2 130.3 ....... New York 117 .U 97.U 123.5 123.3 116.8 121.6 10U.7 125.5 130.2 117.9 120.9 121.9 12U.0 128.8 138.7 127.U 126.8 128.6 127.5 128.0 136.6 132.5 12U.5 121.U 126.1 135.1 119.7 130.7 118. U 113.9 11U.9 11U.6 119.3 119.6 117.2 108.5 117.7 121.5 117.5 110.9 106.5 113.1 llU.3 107.7 108.2 96.9 10U.7 113.0 118.5 109.0 105.3 119.9 118.1 118.1 12U.8 119.2 11U.6 121.0 123.U 115.1 128.U 129.9 Percent Change -- February 1955 to May 1955 - 0.1 Food at home .... . . . . . « . . * 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.0 o.U o.U 0.8 1.1 0 - Dairy products 0.1 - o.U 2.0 - Rent - 3.3 - 0.2 - 0.9 - 2.9 1.0 Men*8 and boys' Women's and girls' - - 0.1 0.1 • •• • 0.1* - l/ Change from November 195U to May 1955. - 2.5 1.0 12.3 12.9 - 1.0 0.3 U.o 0 - 0.3 - 0.8 0.U 1.8 1.U - - 0.6 0.6 - 1.1 - 0.8 0.2 - 0.7 0.7 - 1.5 - - 0.3 2.0 0.5 O.U - 0.3 0.1 - 0.1 0.3 - 0.5 - 1.3 - 1.8 - 0.8 0.2 - 0.3 o.U 0.3 0.5 0.9 - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.1 1.0 o.U 0.6 0.2 O.U - 0.2 0.8 0.1 - 0.8 - 0.2 - 2.1 - 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.9 0.3 - l.U 0 - 2.1 0 0.8 0.6 0.6 1.2 0.2 0 0.3 O.U - 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 0.7 - - 1.5 3.8 0 - l.U 0.3 0.1 - 3.9 5.U 0.2 U.3 0.1 - 1.6 - 0.1 0.5 0 - 0.6 - 0.8 - 3.1 0.2 - - 2.6 0.7 - 0.6 2.8 0.5 1.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 0.3 0.1 6.3 - - 0.5 0.6 READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . - 0.1 0.7 - TRANSPORTATION 3.1 0 - 1.1 APPAREL 1.8 0 o.U 1.1 0.5 . . . . . . * . . • Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . • . 0 - 9.U 8.6 Other foods at home 1.6 - - 3.0 2.3 1/- - 0.2 0.7 o.U 0 U.3 - 1.2 - 0.3 • 1.1 1/ 0.2 - - 5.2 1.8 0.3 O.U 1/ 0 o.U 2.9 0.3 - 8.9 2.5 - o.U 1.3 0 - 0.3 U.5 0.2 2.1 - 0.8 - 0.1 0.2 - 0.3 o.U 1.5 0.9 - 0.5 - 2.6 1.7 - 0.5 0 2.0 o.U 1.8 - 1.0 o.U - 0.3 0.6 3.5 0.9 1.1 0.8 1.9 - l.U - 0.7 - 8.5 2.5 - - 0 -10.9 2.1 6.1 - o.U - 0.8 - 1.3 0.3 0.5 - 0.3 - 2.9 - o.U - 8.9 U.3 0.7 - - - 15.1 - 2.9 9.5 3.3 0.3 1.1 - - 2.3 - U.2 7.9 0 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.6 0.9 0.2 0.6 0 1.8 1.1 - 0.1 0.2 - o.U 1.2 0.7 0.3 - 0.6 0.1 9.0 0 - 0.9 - 0 1.0 0.1 • 0.3 0.2 1.3 - 1.3 1.5 2.0 o.U 1.0 0.1 TABI2 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS May 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, April 1955 to#May 1955 U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities (1947-49 = 1 0 0 ) Total Food at Home Percent Index Change Total Food City Index Percent Change - 0.1 110.0 - 0.1 123.8 U.S. CITY AVERAGE • 111.1 Atlanta • • • Baltimore • • • . Boston • • • Chicago . • . Cincinnati • Cleveland • . Detroit . • • Houston . . . Kansas City • • . Los Angeles . # 111.1 • • 108.8 • i1 0 7 . 1 •112.1 . 1 - 0.8 105.5 109.6 - Minneapolis . Hew York . . Philadelphia Pittsburgh . Portland, Ore. St. Louis . . • . San Francisco • • Scranton • • Seattle • • • Washington, D<•C. lll.U - 0.1 110.6 110.5 - 1.0 O.U 109.3 - 0.2 0.1 110.5 111.3 . 109.2 112.5 109.6 • . llU.U • 110#7 # . .• • • • 112.9 111.3 110.1 - • • 111.3 0.1* 109.5 109.7 - - 0.2 107.2 0.2 107.7 0 111.5 - 1.1* 1.0 108.6 0.1* 109.6 0.1 - 0.1 112.6 - 0.1* 108.1* 1.2 112.3 113.2 - 0.2 0.3 0.1 - 0.1 121.9 119.2 0.1 Dairy & Fish Percent Index Change Products Percent Index Change 102.1 -0.9 10U.0 106.0 - 0.9 108.9 - 1.5 0.9 - 0.3 0.2 2.0 - - 0.3 0 101.7 0.1 99.7 0.1 96.9 12l*.9 120.1 120.0 - 0.1* 0 118.1 - 120.9 0.5 0.1 1.0 127.9 0 - 0.2 126.0 - 128.0 - 0.2 - 0.1 10U.0 10U.9 o.5 - 0.2 - 0.1 102.0 - - 1.3 - 0.5 - 0.2 0.1 0 - 0.2 - 0.5 0.9 - 0.5 109.7 117.6 - Meats, Poultry - 1.7 1.2 111.7 0 o.U - 113.2 109.7 110.1 112.5 113.U 108.6 0.3 0.3 Cereals & Bakery Products Percent Index Change 118.8 120.9 123.9 12U.1 118.8 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 - 103.7 100.8 100.3 0.8 120.6 0.1 i03.i* 106.1* - 0.1* 96.5 105.8 2.0 0 0.2 0.1 - 1.1 3.6 116.9 1U*.5 118.6 118.8 119.3 137.2 2.3 108.U - 2.9 2.0 101.5 107.7 10U.0 - 1.1 - 1.0 113.9 - 0.7 113.7 - l.U - 1.0 - 0.9 - 0.5 2.2 3.9 2.8 7.5 1*.3 - 0.1 119.2 98.5 101.8 - 0.3 102.9 0.1 0 - 0.5 108.2 - 109.9 116.0 - U.6 102.2 108.1 98.1 - 0.6 102.6 - 2.1* 2.0 101.6 106.0 98.8 101.6 99.3 - 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.7 0 1.1 - 1.2 1.8 0.9 0 - 1.0 112.3 110.0 10l*.l* o.l* 122.0 120.2 108.6 - 0.2 - Change - 0.6 - Percent 0.2 1.0 117.1* 127.8 Index Other Foods at Hone Percent Index Change - 101.3 102.3 106.7 102.0 0 130.9 108.1 10U.1 Fruits & Vegetables 0 - 0.3 12l*.8 l.U 116.2 - 2.1* 3.8 109.5 108.0 106.8 0.3 0.1 113.1* 12l*.l* 118.2 1.8 - 2.2 - 0.9 - 1.8 - 2.5 116.7 - l.U 102.9 - 0.6 119.0 1.3 1.0 108.9 117.2 - o.U 0.1 - 0.9 108.U 105.6 - 2.U 1.1 91.3 10l*.9 10i*.9 108.1* 109.5 - 127.2 0.3 0.2 121.9 117.0 0.2 126.7 1.6 2.0 117.7 2.2 - 0.5 0 108.9 108.0 0.6 - 1.8 TABLE 6. RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR MAY 1955 AND APRIL 1955 U.3. City Average Food and Unit CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS: Flour, wheat 5 lb. Biscuit mix 20 oz. Corn meal lb. Rice lb. Rolled oat8 20 oz. Corn flakes 12 oz. Bread, white lb. Soda crackers lb. Vanilla cookies 7 oz. MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH: lb. Round steak lb. Chuck roast lb. Rib roast lb. Hamburger lb. Veal cutlets lb. Pork chops, center cut lb. Bacon, sliced lb. Ham, whole lb. Lamb, leg lb. Frankfurters 12 oz. Luncheon meat, canned lb. Frying chickens, dressed lb. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook: lb. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen 16 oz. Salmon, pink, canned 7 oz. Tuna fish, canned DAIRY FRQDUCTS: qt. Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) pt. Ice cream lb. Butter lb. Cheese, American process Milk, evaporated ** i oz. can FRUITS AND VEGETABIES: •Frozen 10 oz. Strawberries 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 1G oz. Peas, green 10 oz. Beans, green. Fresh lb. Apples lb. Bananas doz. Oranges, size 200 lb. Lemons * Priced only in season. ^Formerly published as sweet gherkins. May April 1955 1955 (Cents) 53.9 27.U 12.6 17.8 19.1 22.0 17.7 27.1 23.8 (Cents) 5U.1 27.U 12.6 17.8 19.0 22.0 17.7 27.0 23.8 89.2 90.8 U9.8 51.6 71.6 70.7 39.6 109.6 82.9 39.9 110.1 77.8 65.5 60.U 58.9 53.0 53.3 U3.7. UU.3 50.3 61.7 67.U U6.0 57.5 U3.0 65.9 68.7 U2.9 U7.0 U7.3 55.3 37.6 5U.9 21.U 21.6 22.5 29.1 22.6 37.7 70.U 29.1 70.8 57.7 57.6 13.7 13.7 30.8 30.6 19.6 17.9 19.6 2U.2 2U.2 17.2 15.3 17.0 18.0 16.9 52.2 18.0 U9.9 18.3 May Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * each Peaches * lb. Strawberries * pt. Grapes, seedless * lb. Watermelons * lb. Potatoes 10 lb. Sweetpotatoes lb. Onions lb. Carrots lb. Lettuce head Celery lb. Cabbage lb. Tomatoes lb. lb. Beans, green Canned 4 6 oz. can Orange juice Peaches # 2 * can Pineapple can #2 Fruit cocktail #3<# can Corn, cream style #303 can Peas, green #303 can Tomatoes #303 can Baby foods 4 i-5 oz. Dried Primes lb. Navy beans lb. THER FOODS AT HOME: 11 oz. can Vegetable soup 16 oz. can Beans with pork Pickles, sweet 7 i oz. 14 *z. Catsup, tomato lb. Coffee Tea 4 lb. Cola drink carton of 6, 6 oz. lb. Shortening, hydrogenated lb. Margarine, colored lb. Lard pt. Salad dressing lb Pfeanut butter 5 lb. Sugar 24 oz. Corn syrup 12 oz. Grape jelly Chocolate bar 7/» oz. doz. Eggs, Grade A, large 3-4 oz. Gelatin, flavored April 1955 1955 (Cents) 10.U 29.7 80.9 15.9 (Cents) 9.9 35.8 70.6 15.U 8.5 8.5 12.5 12.7 15.2 17.6 1U.3 lU.9 10.5 30.2 9.U 32.3 25.1 2U.U 33.0 32.8 33.7 33.5 32.8 32.8 26.li 26.5 16.9 17.0 21.5 21.5 15.2 15.1 9.7 9.7 33.U 32.9 18.8 18.9 lU.l lU.l 1U.8 lU.9 28.1 28.2 92.2 92.5 22.1* 1*0.8 32.5 3U.U 28.8 21.0 35.3 22.3 la.i 32.6 35.0 29.1 20.8 35.U 5U.U 5U.3 52.1 52.1 23.7 23.7 26.0 25.9 53.2 5U.9 8.5 8.5 U.6 U.6 LS55-3525 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 7 The Consumer Price Index measures the average change In prices of goods and services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^9 - 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-^9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are also calculated on the base 1935-39 • 100. About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes on all items. Prices are collected in k6 cities which are representative of all cities in the United States. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced evex-y month in eacn city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families. Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. averages Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, W. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N. Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, W. Virginia Laconia, lew Hampshire Lodi, California I^nchburg, Virginia Madill, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Newark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average. Comparison of city indexes Bhows only that prices in one city changed more or less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between cities. •A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their weights, cities Included, and an explanation of the index calculation, its uses and limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 11^0 - "The Consumer Price Index - A Layman's Guide,w for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents. A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C. Historical series of ixldex numbers for the U.S. city average and 80 individual large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and •ervices from 19^7 to date.
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