Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1959
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Released June 19, 1959 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D . Go CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY 1959 Ctmsm&r prices in United States cities increased 0.1 percent between April and May 1959, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics® Most of the increase was the result of advances in costs of housing, apparel, medical care, and personal care, although all major groups of goods and services were higher. Prices of commodities were unchanged on the average, but services rose 0.3 percent. The Consumer Price Index at 124*0 percent of the 194-7-49 average reached a new record high, 0.3 percent above the May 1958 level. HOUSING A rise of-0.1 percent in housing costs reflected advances in prices of home repair and maintenance items, increased bills for gas and electricity, and higher rates for insurance on houses 0 Residential rents were unchanged on the average for the first time since February 1957. Higher charges for painting and repair services were mainly responsible for the rise in home maintenance costs, although there were some increases reported for paint, plumbing supplies, and lumber. The solid fuels and fuel oil group index dropped 2.5 percent; prices of both coal and fuel oil were seasonally lower. Housefuraishings prices declined 0.1 percent as traditional white sale prices for household textiles more than offset higher prices for some furniture and appliances© Household operation averaged unchanged with reductions in prices of laundry soaps and detergents and some scattered advances in rates for laundry and dry cleaning services® APPAREL Prices of all classes of apparel were higher in May,f led by an advance of 0 o 3 percent for footwear, especially men s and children's shoes. Prices of men's suits advanced, following earlier sales, and there were scattered increases reported for summer suits, Higher prices 1 slacks, work shirts, and work gloves© were reported for women's and girls cotton dresses and nylon hose, but prices of women's underwear and rayon dresses were lower. FOOD Average food prices, which had declined in eight of the past nine months, increased 0.1 percent in May because of higher prices of restaurant meals as well as seasonally higher prices for fresh fruits and vegetables which largely offset reductions in egg and coffee prices. The food index at 117.7 was 3.2 percent lower than a year ago and 3*3 percent below the July 1953 peak. Fruit and vegetable prices rose 1.6 percent over the month, with prices of fresh fruits and vegetables up 2.5 percento Fresh fruits advanced 2 e 8 percent as prices of oranges, bananas, grapefruit, and apples averaged 3 to 5 percent higher. Strawberry prices, responding to more plentiful supplies, declined 14.0 percento Fresh vegetable prices advanced 2.1 percent with potatoes up 13.1 percent, as supplies of last year's crop dwindled and a smaller new crop began to reach the market. Prices of tomatoes and celery averaged about 6£ percent higher. However, onion, lettuce, and green bean prices were down 15*9 percent, 6 0 2 percent, and 6.0 percent, respectively. Canned fruit and vegetable prices rose, largely because of continued increases in prices of canned orange juice. All frozen fruits and vegetables registered decreases. Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased 0.1 percent as moderate increases for most cuts of meat more than offset slightly lower prices of chickens and fish. Prices of cereals and bakery products increased 0.3 percent as bread prices were up 0.3 percent and cook t $ 0.5 percent© Restaurant me a. rices rose 0.3 percent. 2 Egg prices, decreasing for the eighth consecutive month, dropped 6.4- percent, much more than their usual seasonal decline, as supplies continued plentiful© Coffee prices, declining for the 16th consecutive month, were down 2.9 percent* Dairy products declined 0*3 percent as prices of most items were lower* OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES The medical care group index rose 0*4 percent, primarily because of increased fees for services of physicians* There were also some increases in prices of prescriptions and drugs and in rates for hospital services* Transportation costs were up 0*1 percent, with higher prices for used cars, auto repairs, and auto insurance* Prices were lower for gasoline, tires, and new carso A rise of 0©5 percent in personal care was due mainly to higher prices for men's haircuts in several cities* Higher prices for newspapers in Cleveland were largely responsible for an increase of 0 o 1 percent for reading and recreation0 Mavie admission charges were slightly lower* Other goods and services increased partly because of an additional increase in cigarette taxes in New York City* TABIC 1s Consumer P*ioe Index—Onited States city t v m g t Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, Hay 1959 and percent change* from selected dates 3 S (1947H9 100 unless otherwise specified) Itoroent change to May 1959 from — Indexes Group May 1959 April 1959 April 1959 May 1958 Tear 1939 0.2 0.3 108.8 February 1959 124*0 123.9 0.1 FoodFood at hoasCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and f i s h — — Dairy productsfruits and vegetablesOther foods at honeFood away from hone (Jan. 1953=100) 117.7 115.2 134.5 111.6 112.6 125.6 102.8 115.2 117.6 115.3 134.1 111.5 112.9 123.6 104.7 114.8 .1 - .1 .3 .1 - .3 1.6 - 1.8 .3 - .4 .8 .5 - .9 - 1.2 3.6 - 4.9 1.0 - 3.2 - 4.4 1.3 - 4.3 .7 - 8.6 - 7.8 2.7 149.9 144.6 135.1 168.3 126.1 171.3 112.4 0/) Housing £/-< Rent Gas and e l e c t r i c i t y Solid fuels and fuel oilHousefumishings—~ Household operation 128.8 139.3 118.7 135.3 103.7 133.8 128.7 139.3 118.2 138.7 103.8 133.8 .1 0 .4 - 2.5 - .1 0 .2 .2 .2 - 3.4 - .1 .5 .8 1.3 1.9 2.8 - .3 2.2 69.3 60.9 13.2 139.9 94.2 95.6 ApparelMen's and b o y s ' — — tfaasn's and girls FootwearOther apparel- 107.3 108.2 99.0 133.5 92.1 107.0 108.0 98.9 132.4 91.9 .3 .2 .1 .8 •2 .6 .4 .2 1.7 .4 .6 .6 .6 2.9 0 104.4 113.0 81.7 165.4 126.8 Transportation— Private Public- 145.4 134.5 192.7 145.3 134.4 192.6 .1 .1 .1 .8 .9 .5 4.8 5.1 3.5 107.1 105.3 137.0 Medical care- 150.2 149.6 .4 .8 4.5 106.9 Bsrsonal care- 130.7 130.0 .5 .7 1.7 119.3 Reading and recreation- 117.8 117.7 .1 .6 1.0 87.0 128.4 128.2 .2 .8 .9 81.9 127.3 127.1 .2 .5 1.8 84.2 119.5 124.6 128.4 149.9 100.2 105.8 91.7 96.7 143.7 (1/) 80.5 All items- Other goods and servioes- - Special groups: All items less f o o d All itestf less shelter 121.6 121.5 .1 CoMeoditiesHondurablesFood— Nondurables less foodApparelNondurables less food and apparels IXorables- • • • •• , , 115.9 117.4 117.7 117.5 107.2 126.3 112.7 138.9 92.3 103.4 115.9 117.4 117.6 117.5 107.0 126.6 112.6 139.0 91.8 103.3 0 0 .1 0 .2 - .2 .1 - .1 .5 .1 Used°cars (Jan. 1953=100)Durables less e a r s — — — .2 .2 - .1 .2 .4 .3 .5 .2 - .8 3.5 .2 - .6 - 1.5 - 3.2 .9 .5 .9 2.7 6.2 13.5 - .2 Ccaiodities less food- 114.5 114.5 0 .3 1.4 92.8 ServioesRentServioes less rentHousehold operation serrioes, gas, and electricityTransportation services Medical oare s e r v i c e s — — — — Other services 2/-- 145.2 139.3 146.9 144.8 139.3 146.4 .3 0 .3 .7 .2 .8 2.0 1.3 2.2 80.6 60.9 99.9 134.1 179.7 155.8 131.2 133.9 179.1 155.2 130.6 .1 .3 .4 .5 .6 .8 1.2 .9 2.4 3.5 5.1 .8 54.1 124.3 121.0 125.0 $0,806 $0,807 - .1 .4 -52.1 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1947-49=$1.00) - .2 - 1/ Hot available. 2/ Includes house purchase, Interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately. y Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep servicesj shoe repairs, television repairs, barber and beauty shop servioes, and movies. TABIC 2 s Conswer Prioe Index—All items Index* 8 and percent changes, selected dates U.S. city average and 20 large cities 4 Peroexrt change to current •oath from Indexes (1947-49=100) City United States city average- Tear 1939 May 1959 Feb* 1959 May 1958 124*0 123.7 123.6 59.4 127.4 123.4 126.8 122.1 123.2 127.1 123.3 126.7 121.7 123.3 127.0 124.3 125.2 121.1 122.9 58.6 59.0 60.4 60.1 59.2 1959 Feb. 1959 1958 125*3 124.1 120.0 127.9 121.8 124.8 124.1 120.3 126.9 121.3 Apr. 1959 Feb. 1959 May 1958 0.2 0.3 Cities prioed monthly l/ ChicagoDetroit Los AngelesHev YorkPhiladelphia- .1 .3 .7 1.3 .8 .2 Tear 1939 Feb. 1959 May 1958 125.0 123.7 120.7 126.1 121.3 $9.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.4 .4 0 .2 .8 .4 1.4 .4 Jan. 1959 Apr. 1958 Tear 1939 Jan. 1959 Apr. 1958 125.1 125.5 125.1 124.5 125.3 125.4 124.5 125.3 124.4 124.2 124.5 123.7 124.1 123.8 125.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 61.0 .2 .8 .2 .1 .5 1.5 Mar. 1959 Dec. 1958 Mar. 1958 Year 1939 Dec. 1958 124.3 126.4 122.2 126.0 129.0 124.4 125.5 122.4 125.7 127.9 124.9 124.1 122.3 124.5 126.7 58.3 57.9 58.4 59.3 58.6 .1 .7 .2 .2 Cities prioed in February, May, August, November £/ Cleveland. Houston— ScrantonSeattle— Washington, D.C.Cities prioed in January, April, July, October 2 / BostonKansas CityMlnneapolisPittsburghPortland, Oregon Cities prioed in March, June, September, December g/ AtlantaBaltimoreCindnnatiSt. LouisSan Francisco- .2 .1 .1 .3 117.4 109.2 109.9 103.2 108.1 .2 .6 .3 .8 .6 .2 .9 Ifer. 1958 .5 1.9 .1 1.2 1.8 .9 Jj Rents prioed bimonthly. 2/ Foods, fuels, aid a few other items prioed monthly; rents and other oomoditiSs and services prioed quarterly. TABIE 3 s Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from April 1959 to May 1959 U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly All iteos and commodity groups City All items Ubited States city averageChicago——————— Detroit Los Angeles" ' •••.••••• ••••••••i Hev York • Philadelphia - Food 0.1 0.1 0 .1 .2 .1 .3 Housing - 0 .3 .2 .3 .7 - Apparel 0.1 0.3 .2 .1 .4 .1 .2 .5 .1 •4 0 .3 - Transportation - Reading Medical Personal and care care recreation 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.1 .3 .4 .4 .1 .9 .1 0 .1 1.7 0 3.6 .2 .1 •2 .2 0 .1 - 1.1 - .2 -2.4 Other goods & servioes 0.2 - .2 0 *>1 1.2 - .2 TABIS 4* Consumer Prioe Index—All items and oomoiiity groups >fay 1959 indexes and percent changes, February 1959 to Ifay 1959 U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in fey 1959 U.S. City CleveLoe Average Chicago land Detroit Houston Angeles Group Hev York * Philatfeahingt delphia Soranton Seattle D . C. Indexes (19^7-^9-100) All items * 124*0 127.4 125.3 123.4 124.1 126.8 122.1 123.2 120.0 127.9 121.8 ! 117.7 — 115.2 — 134.5 — 111.6 — 112.6 — 125.6 102.8 115.2 112.5 130.1 104.6 113.3 122.2 107.5 114.1 111.6 128.9 105.7 110.2 118.7 104.8 116.9 114.3 124.6 108.0 107.6 134.3 102.7 114.6 112.2 125.5 106.9 113.2 124.1 101.6 122.9 118.2 146.2 112.1 111.1 131.1 105.5 119.2 116.4 142.5 114.4 114.0 120.9 102.5 119.3 116.2 138.2 111.8 116.2 124.3 100.8 114.8 113.9 135.9 111.9 110.4 121.3 99.0 120.7 118.8 146.8 114.2 117.3 130.2 102.5 118.5 115.8 132.1 110.5 117.5 123.3 104.6 128.8 139.3 118.7 135.3 103.7 133.8 138.7 165.0 129.3 139.8 100.7 136.7 130.1 159.8 116.1 135.2 100.0 125.1 127.2 130.0 139.4 116.6 135.8 147.0 131.1 126.0 117.5 126.9 108.7 122.9 101.3 142.3 101.7 123.3 10U1 122.5 128.5 105.3 126.3 108.1 132.3 136*0 122.9 131.4 120.7 136.9 100.0 117.6 133.0 148.0 86.7 142.7 104.9 138.6 121.2 129.2 134.8 139.3 100.1 132.9 — 107.3 108.2 99.0 133.5 92.1 109.9 113.4 99.0 136.6 95.9 109.6 113.5 100.6 129.8 95.2 104.9 108.2 95.0 129.5 85.4 112.1 106.0 108.3 140.1 91.4 108.7 110.7 100.4 135.3 84.8 106.0 108.1 96.1 134.3 95.8 104.9 108.1 94.3 134.0 92.5 110.0 110.1 102.6 137.7 93.7 109.0 111.9 99.5 138.0 86.9 104.8 108.1 96.8 128.2 89.8 Transportation — — — » — — — — P r i v a t e — — — — — — — — — Public 145.4 134.5 192.7 154.3 136.1 196.9 139.7 130.5 181.9 137.8 133.8 157.3 143.8 137.4 188.0 142.0 138.2 162.1 145.9 127.0 191.4 152.6 132.4 193.4 144.9 131.3 191.9 148.8 137.5 180.1 143.7 135.9 172.4 — ' 150.2 130.7 — 117.8 128.4 158.6 136.2 122.4 167.2 157.8 133.9 114.1 135.7 135.5 137.4 116.6 129.3 146.5 134.2 102.1 124.2 139*9 123.0 119.9 131.7 152.2 135.2 119.9 127.9 136.5 145.8 119.6 149.6 141.4 119.3 138.1 149.9 125.9 121.0 136.3 - 0.1 - 0.2 0.8 0.4 - 1.2 1.6 .4 1.8 2.4 2.5 - 5.1 - .9 - 1.2 .2 - 1.5 - 2.6 4.8 - 5.4 .7 .4 .9 .6 1.6 3.2 - 3.3 .3 .4 0 - 1.9 - .1 5.8 -3.9 .2 - .3 .2 2.5 - 7.0 - .7 .5 .8 .3 0 3.0 .3 - .1 .2 .6 3.2 -6.9 .2 - .1 0 .8 1.3 1.7 1.3 .7 1.2 2.5 .9 1.0 .3 1.3 1.7 .6 Food Food at hone — — — Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish — Dairy products — — — Fruits and vegetables — Other foods at hone Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil — Housefurnishings — — — — — - — Household operation Men's and boys' Women's and girls' — Other apparel - — Medical care Reading and recreation Other goods and services 120.9 128.0 130.1 130.0 — _ — — 115.5 140.4 128.0 Percent change from February 1959 to May 1959 All items Food Food at kerne — — — — — — — — Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — — — Fruits and vegetables — Other foods at hone — — — — — lousing Rent — — — — — — — — Gas and electricity — — — Solid fuels and fuel oil — loosefurnishings .— Household operation — — — — — — Men' s and boys' — — Women's and girls' — — Footwear — — — — Other apparel — — — — — — transportation Private Public Medical care Personal care - — Reading and recreation Other goeds and services — . 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 .4 .8 .5 - .9 - 1.2 3.6 - 4.9 0 - .1 5.7 - .6 .4 2.2 - 5.1 - .2 - .3 - .2 - .4 - .1 6.6 - 5.4 - .7 - .8 - .4 - .1 - 1.3 3.5 - 5.3 .1 - .1 .1 0 - 4.6 - 1.6 2.2 - .2 .2 .2 - 3.4 - .1 .5 .6 .4 .2 1.7 .4 0.3 1.2 1.8 .5 1.5 .4 .6 4.9 - .7 - 1.3 .2 - .7 .5 - 1.2 - 4.2 - .6 - 1.0 0 - .6 - 3.4 2.6 - 3.5 - .2 - .1 0 1/ .2 .2 .3 1.8 - .1 - .4 .2 0 .3 1.3 .4 .3 0 .3 .9 0 - .4 1.3 - 2.3 1.1 2.8 1.5 1.9 0 1.3 1.5 0 .8 .9 0 1.0 1.3 0 1.7 1.5 2.4 .6 .7 0 .3 .3 0 - .1 - .1 0 .3 0 .4 .1 1.4 .8 - .1 .1 .3 .8 .1 .2 1.9 .1 - .2 3.8 1.8 - .4 - .1 - .4 .1 2.7 1.2 .1 .1 6.0 .7 1.7 1.2 .5 2.9 .1 - 3.5 - .1 1.9 0 - 0.1 .7 0 - .7 1.7 0 .2 .2 .8 1.3 .5 - 0 .1 0 .1 .2 0 08 .7 .6 .8 1.8 4.8 - .6 - .2 - .2 .3 — .2 .8 .9 .5 1/ Change from ferch 1959 to Ifcy 1959. V - 0 .7 4.1 2.0 - — - - .6 .1 .8 1.7 •4 .4 — - .1 - 5.0 .1 - .1 - .1 .1 .4 1.8 0 1/ .3 1.8 - 9.7 - .3 1.7 .1 0 - .4 1.4 .1 - 1.0 TABUS 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups May 1959 indexes and percent changes, April 1959 to May 1959 U.S. city average and 20 large cities (JL9VM9-10CQ Total food at home food City Percent change Index Percent change Cereals and bakery products Index Meats, poultry, and fish Percent change Index Dairy products Percent change Fruits and vegetables Index Percent change Index Percent change Other foods at home Percent change Index U.S. city average — 117.7 0.1 115.2 -0.1 131*.5 0.3 111.6 0.1 112.6 -0.3 125.6 1.6 102.8 -1.8 Atlanta Baltimore Boston — Chicago Cincinnati — Cleveland Detroit •ouston Kansas City Los Angeles — 115.6 117.0 — 117.5 115.2 117.7 - .1 113.8 126.0 .1* - .6 127.7 120.2 122.8 122.2 125.6 118.7 131*. 3 121*.1 115.1 131.1 97.9 101.1 99.6 107.5 101*.8 101*. 8 102.7 101.6 95.9 105.5 -1.8 111.1 0 .2 -1.3 - .1 - .1* - .1 - .5 - .3 0 .2 1.6 113.6 lll*.2 112.5 111*. 8 111.6 111* .3 112.2 108.6 118.2 113.8 110.3 112.9 IOU.6 110.6 105.7 108.0 106.9 106.3 112.1 113.8 - - 107.6 lllul* 111.8 110.9 111*. 7 105.8 116.8 111.9 111*. 2 0 .5 101*. 7 ll!*.0 116.2 lll*.l* 117.2 105.7 115.1* 110.1* 117.3 117.5 - .1 -1.0 0 - .1 - .1 .1 0 - .1 1.1 0 129.6 120.9 121*.3 129.3 123.1* 133.8 133.1* 121.3 130.2 123.3 109.0 -1.2 -2.5 -2.2 -2.6 - .2 -1.2 -1.6 — 11U.1 116.9 llli. 6 — — — 111.5 122.9 Minneapolis lev York Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Oreg. — St. Louis -8an Francisco Bcr&nton Seattle — Washington, D.C. - - .3 .2 0 .3 .2 .3 - .1 - .1 - .2 117.5 119.2 119.3 119 .1* 120.0 118.7 122.3 - .5 .3 .7 .6 .7 0 .1 .3 .1* 0 111*.8 120.7 118.5 TABLE 6: 111*. 3 116.1* 116.2 117.6 117.7 113.9 120.0 * Priced only in season. - .1* - .6 - - .3 .9 .6 .7 .1 .1 .2 .3 0 May 1959 ~ 128.8 132.2 130.1 133.3 128.9 121*. 6 125.5 127.1* 11*6.2 131*. 6 11*2.5 138.2 132.6 11*0.1* .2 - - .2 .2 .1 .1 .6 - 121*. 7 11*7.0 135.9 11*6.8 132.1 .2 .5 .1 0 .5 - - .1* .2 0 .2 .1 0 .1 .1 110.5 117.1 109.5 113.3 -1.3 .2 - .2 0 .1 .1* .2 .9 .9 112.0 110.2 107.6 113.2 107.9 -1.8 .3 .3 - .6 .5 - .6 .1* -1.5 3.1 i*.2 1.0 1.2 2.9 .1* -1.1* - .3 -1.9 -2.0 .2 .6 6.6 3.5 1.3 .8 5.1* 1.1* 3.1* 102.5 100.8 111.1* 106.1 110.2 103.6 99.0 102.5 101*. 6 -2.2 -1.1* -1.2 -3.0 -3.0 -1.6 - .8 -1.3 -1.0 -2.1* -1.2 - .9 Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods U.S. city average Food and unit — - .1 113.9 118.8 115.8 Cereals and bakery products; Flour., wheat — — — — — - 5 ib. Biscuit nix — - — — — — — 20 oz. Corn seal — — — ib. Rice — ——— — — ib. Rolled oats — — 18 o z . Corn flakes - - - - - — — 12 oz. Bread, white — — — — ib. Soda crackers — — — - — ib. Vanilla cookies — — — — — — — 7 oz. Heats, poultry, and fish: Round steak - — - — — - • Chuck roast — — . Rib roast Hamburger — — — - — — — Veal cutlets — — Pork chops, center cut Bacon, sliced - - — — - - • Ham, whole — — — — < Leunb, leg —— Frankfurters — — — • Luncheon meat, canned 12 oz. Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen — lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen — — — lb. Salmon, pink, canned — — — — — ie oz. Tuna fish, canned — — — — a to 6£ oz. Dairy products; Milk, fresh, (grocery) Milk, fresh, (delivered) Ice cream — — — — — — — — — Butter Cheese, American process Milk, evaporated — — — — — Mi-oz. can Fruits and vegetables: Frozen: Strawberries — — — — — — 10 oz. Orange juice concentrate — — a oz. Peas, green — — — — — 10 oz. Beans, green — — — — — 9 oz. Fresh: Apples — ib. Bananas — — — — — — ib. Oranges^ size 200 — — — — — doz. Grapefruit * .3 .3 .3 0 - .5 - .2 - .3 - .1* saoh April 1959 Cents 5U.9 26.8 12.9 18.5 20 .1* 25.6 19.6 29.2 2it.li 107.7 65.7 83.1 55.3 11*3.0 85.5 68.8 107.7 61*.8 82.9 55.0 llii.5 81*.0 68.1* 62.7 76.5 63.1 75.2 51.3 51.5 1*2.7 1*7.9 61*.2 1*2.1 1*7.5 59.2 61.2 33. h 23.6 6b .8 60.6 61.1 33.5 23.7 2l*.8 21*.9 58.1 29.7 7l*.l* 58.0 29.7 71* .1 15.2 25.7 2l*.7 15.2 26.1 21*.8 22.7 20.0 22.8 I5.lt 17.0 11* .9 16.3 19.8 65.2 lfi.i* 12.3 62.1 18.7 11.8 Food and unit F r e s h — Continued Peaches * — — — — — — ib. Strawberries • — — — — — t. p Grapes, seedless * — — — - — — ib. Watermelons * — « — — ib. Potatoes — — — — — — 10 ib. Sweetpot&toes — — — — — ib. Onions — — Carrots — Lettuce - — — — - — — — — — — — — — ib. ib. head Celery — — — — — — — — ib. Cabbage — — — — — — — ib. Tomatoes — — — — — ib. 6eans, green — — — — — ib. Canned: Orange juice — — — — — 46-oz. can Peaches — — — #24 can Pineapple — — — #2 can Fruit cocktail — — — — — #303 can Corn, cream style — — — #303 can Peas, green — — — — — #303 can Tomatoes — - — #303 can Baby foods — — — 4& to 5 oz. Dried: Prunes — — — — — — — — — — — ib. Beans — — — — — — — — — — ib. Other foods at home: Tomato SOUp ••••-•• to ll-oz. can Beans with pork — — — — ia-oz. can Pickles, sliced — — — — — 15 0z. Catsup, tomato — 14 oz. Coffee — — — — — — lb. nan Coffee — — — — — — — — lb. bag Tea bags — — — — — — Pkg. of id Cola drink, carton — — — 36 oz. Shortening, hydrogenated — 3 ib. Margarine, colored — — — — — ib. Lard — — — — — — — — ib. Salad dressing — — — — . pt Peanut butter — — — — — ib. Sugar — — — — — — — — — 5 ib. Corn syrup — — — — — — 24 oz. Grape jelly — — — — — 12 oz. Chocolate bar — — — — — — 1 Gz. Eggs, Grade A , large doz. Gelatin, flavored — — — - 3 to 4 oz. May 1959 April 1959 Cents Cents 29.8 31*.7 63.1 11*.2 55.8 11*.2 ll*.l 11*.6 13.1 9.1 3U.1* 28.0 1*9.0 36.3 36.1 27.9 19.5 20.? 11*.1 16.9 l!*.l 15.5 12.3 8.9 32.3 29.8 1*7.9 36.1* 36.1 27.9 19.1* 20.8 15.7 15.6 1*0.0 17.3 39.9 17.3 12.5 12.6 15.1 26.5 15.1 10.1 22.6 77.2 57.9 10.1 26.6 22.7 78.1 61.5 21*.2 21*.1 29.1* 29.1* 88.0 27.8 20.1 37.8 55.8 56.6 26.1* 28.2 5.1 1*5.0 9.3 88.8 28.0 20.1* 37.9 55.9 56.7 26.1* 28.3 5.1 1*8.0 9.2 Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332 7 Prttf SKlflMttttffl Pf Qf J The Consumer Prioe 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 w h i c h wage-earner and clerical-worker families patronize* Prices of food8, 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 1months 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 1947-49=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-si zed and small cities s Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ghio Charleston, V* Virginia Bvansville, 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, 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 11index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer 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 Documents, U* S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS n 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 Peachtree Street, N. E* Zone 9 New York 341 Ninth Ave* Zone 1 Chicago 105 West Adams St* Zone 3 San Francisco 630 Sansome St* Zone 11 LABOR - D* C* Boston 18 Oliver St* Zone 10