Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1968

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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES: COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
"(Seasonally Adjusted]
1957-59=100
140

•1957-59=100

140
135

135

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE
A L L ITEMS INDEX las of Dec. 1967)

130

AIL SERVICES

35.23

FOOD

22.54
l-SS FOOD _

OURABIE COMMOD'Til*

125

130

24.54
17.(U

125
120

120

115

110 I

110

10 5

105

100

100

NONDURABLES LESS FOOD*

95

95
1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


BUREAU


OF

LABOR

STATISTICS

Latest

Data:

MAY 1 9 6 8

Released June 28, 1968
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, D. C. 20212

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY 1968

The Consumer Price Index rose for the sixteenth consecutive month in May,
advancing 0.3 percent to 120.3 (1957-59=100), 4.1 percent above its May 1967 level.
Prices of most consumer goods and services were higher. Costs of apparel led
the increase, and with food, accounted for more than half of the total increase for the
month. Charges for consumer services also continued to advance at a rapid pace. Over the
year, nondurable commodities and services have contributed about 47 percent and 40 percent
respectively to the overall increase. Durable good prices, although rising slowly, have
maintained a greater degree of price stability than other major components of the index.
Food
Grocery store food prices were 0.4 percent higher in May, mainly
higher prices for milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. Meats, poultry, and
also averaged higher, but egg prices fell nearly 9 percent. Restaurant meal
have moved up steadily for more than four years, rose 0.5 percent to a level
a year ago.

because of
fish prices
prices, which
5 percent over

The rise in dairy products was partly a reaction to the April 1 increase in the
support price for manufacturing grade fluid milk. Fresh whole milk purchased both in
grocery stores and for home delivery gained substantially. Prices for skim milk, a relatively low volume item, were even stronger as retailers apparently widened their margins to
take advantage of its increasing popularity. Only ice cream prices declined, reflecting
widespread sales promotion programs.
Fruits and vegetables were up 1.9 percent, almost entirely because of higher
prices for fresh produce. Tight supplies due to shrinking storage holdings, reduced imports
of bananas, and a small 1967-68 citrus crop resulted in a marked increase for fresh fruits.
Only strawberries, off 11.4 percent as a result of rapidly rising production, declined.
Fresh vegetables posted a net advance, but movements were mixed. Prices for lettuce and
cucumbers declined sharply as the California, New Mexico and Florida crops came in, but
these reductions were more than offset by the higher prices for potatoes, resulting from
the small late spring potato crop, and higher prices of tomatoes and green peppers, due to
weather damage to the California and Florida crops.
Meats, poultry and fish prices averaged 0.3 percent higher over the month.
Better cuts of beef showed strength as demand continued at a high level. Prices of most
pork cuts were lower, but sharp gains for bacon and sausage resulted in a net advance for
pork of 0.4 percent. Poultry prices declined because of a planned reduction in the production of broilers and fryers. Egg prices were down 8.7 percent due to unusually heavy
spring production. They are now 0.5 percent below the May 1967 level and at their lowest
index level for this month since 1959.
Services
Consumer services rose 0.4 percent in May, about the same rate maintained
during 1967 but slightly below the rate registered in the first quarter of 1968. Nearly




all services were higher; personal care, medical care, property taxes and mortgage
interest charges showed significant gains.
The cost of medical care services rose 0.5 percent in continuation of their
persistent climb. Higher salaries of office staff, increased overhead costs, and higher
medical supply costs contributed to a rise for professional fees. Hospital service costs
rose substantially higher than a year ago.
Personal care charges rose 0.7 percent mostly because of higher charges for
men's haircuts, but beauty shop charges also averaged higher. Hotel and motel room rates
increased, partly to cover the upward drift of operating expenses and partly because of
the increasing demand for accommodations as the vacation season approaches. Recreational
services, particularly golf greens fees, were higher too.
Real estate taxes moved sharply higher in several cities and mortgage interest
charges rose in response to continued strong competition from the bond market and to
increases in mortgage rate ceilings in a number of states.
Gas and electricity bills generally were unchanged, as were water and sewerage
service charges, but telephone service registered a small gain. Residential rents
continued to climb slowly and home maintenance services advanced moderately, primarily
because of increased wage rates in union building trades.
Nondurables other than food
Prices of nondurable goods except food advanced 0.5 percent in May. Higher
price tags for women's and girls1 summer wear such as cotton dresses, shorts and bathing
suits, led the 0.9 percent advance in the apparel sector, but nearly all clothing items
and footwear were higher. Over the year, rising prices of apparel commodities have been
an important factor in advancing nondurables prices; they accounted for over half of the
total change. Very high levels of consumer demand have enabled some retailers to increase
profit margins.
Gasoline price changes were largely offsetting, but motor oil prices were
higher in several areas, as the long term uptrend for this item continued. Fuel oil
staged a contraseasonal increase, as normal seasonal discounts either were not being
granted or were less than those of previous years. Textile housefurnishings declined
moderately following traditional May white sales for sheets, pillows and bedspreads, but
higher prices for slipcovers, curtains and drapery fabrics partially offset the decline.
Durables
New car prices were unchanged as sales were at a record level in May.
cars rose 0.3 percent reflecting strong demand for good, late model cars.

Used

Furniture prices were 0.4 percent higher than in April. Almost all furniture
items were more expensive, but bedroom suites and dining room furniture led the list.
Increased costs of production, coupled with strong demand, have exerted a continuous
upward pressure on prices. Floor coverings were up as increases for nylon carpeting
offset small reductions for wool broadloom carpeting.
Higher prices for sporting goods, especially seasonal items, were behind most
of the increase in recreational durables although small declines occurred in prices of




color television sets and table model radios, probably in anticipation of introduction of
new models in June. Appliance prices held steady in general. Decreases for refrigerators,
ranges, dryers, and vacuum cleaners were balanced by higher prices for washing machines
and air conditioners. Increased material costs, particularly copper, were cited as the
determining factor in these rises.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment
More than 210,000 workers will receive hourly pay increases based either on
the national Consumer Price Index or individual city indexes for May. About 110,000,
mostly aerospace workers, will receive 3-cent increases because of the rise in the national
index since February. Some 75,000 employees of the meatpacking industry will receive
6-cent adjustments based on the national increase over the past 6 months. Other increases,
representing quarterly, semi-annual or annual changes at national or city levels, will
range from 1 cent to 6 cents.




TABLE 1: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, May 1968
and percent changes from selected dates

Group

Unadjusted

ieasonally
adjusted

ixes (1957-59=100)
April 1968
Unad- Seasonally
justed
adjusted

All ite

120.3

Food -^
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

118.8
115.6
118.4
113.0
120.2
130.7
101.9
135.1

Housing
Shelter 1/
Rent
Homeownership 2/
Fuel and utilities 3/
Fuel oil and coal kj
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation -

117.8
121.6
114.6

Apparel and upkeep _5/
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls' Footwear

119.5
119.8
116.2
131.2

119.3
119.7
116.1
131.1

118.4
119.2
114.5
130.4

Transportation
Private
Public

119.1
116.8
137.3

119.2
116.8

119.0
116.8
137.2

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services 6/

129.2
144.0
119.6
125.3
122.6

120.0
121.0
118.9
114.7
117.8
106.9
133.0

124.3
110.3
115.3
109.5
112.5

119.9
119.4
116.3
114.8
120.9
128.9
103.0

110.3
116.0

118.3
115.1
118.3
112.7
118.8
128.3
103.0
134.4

May
1967
madjusted

Percent change to May 1968 from—
April 1968
May
February 1968
Seasonally Unad- Seasonally
1967
unadjusted
adjusted
adjusted
justed

Unadjusted

115.6
118.7
115.7

4.1

113.9
110.9
118.8
108.5
115.9
116.4
100.7
128.7

.4
.4
.1
.3
1.2
1.9
1.1
.5

113.9
117.5
112.1
119.7
108.7
110.8
108.3
107.9

.3
.2
.2
.2
.3
1.1
0
.3

118.5
119.2
114.8
130.1

113.8
114.0
109.6
125.2

.9
.5
1.5
.6

119.1
116.9

115.5
113.6
130.9

128.8
143.5
119.0
124.9
122.5

119.6
120.6
118.5
114.3
117.3
106.9
132.5

117.5
121.3
114.4
124.0
110.0
114.0
109.5
112.2

113.7
119.3
126.7
103.5

109.9
113.5

0.6
.5
1.0
1.3
1.7
•

.5

.4
2.2

.7
.4
1.1

1.2
1.2
.2
.9
1.4
4.6
.7
1.4
.7
.6
.6
.5
1.3
.2
1.2

1.7
1.9
2.7
2.1
2.4
.4

.5
3.7

4.3
4.2
- .3
4.1
3.7
12.3
1.2
5.0
3.4
3.5
2.2
3.8
1.5
4.1
1.1
4.3

2.5
2.6
3.4
1.6

1.9
1.9
2.7
1.3

5.0
5.1
6.0
4.8

.1
0
.1

.4
.3

.1
.1

3.1
2.8
4.9

122.8
135.7
115.0
119.6
116.7

.3
.3
.5
.3
.1

1.3
1.5
1.7
1.9
.4

5.2
6.1
4.0
4.8
5.1

115.1
116.3
114.4
110.5
113.2
103.9
127.0

.3
.3
.3
.3
.4
0
.4

1.3
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.2
.5
1.3

4.3
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.1
2.9
4.7

108.7
112.7
112.7
110.2
112.6
96.9
121.4
98.1
100.6

.3
.5
.9
1.0
.2
0
.3
.3
.2

.9
1.2
2.7
2.9
.4
.5
2.5
1.2
1.3

.4
.5
.2
.5
.5

1.4
1.1
.8
1.8
2.2

Special groups:
All items less shelter
All items less food
All items less medical care
Commodities JJ
Nondurables
Durables 7/ 8/

S onrf /<ae

Q/ _____ _

__———_———_—-_——__

114.9
118.0
106.9
112.5
116.9
118.5
116.0

112.2
116.4
117.6
115.0
115.8
100.3
126.3
100.8
104.2

114.5
117.5
107.0
112.2
116.4
117.8
115.2

Household durables 10/ —
Housefurnishings

112.5
117.0
118.7
116.2
116.0
100.3
126.7
101.1
104.4

Services less rent 9/
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services JL1/

137.1
132.1
132.9
155.0
138.3

136.6
131.5
132.7
154.3
137.6

130.4
126.5
127.7
144.4
130.8

All items index on other bases:
1947-49-100
1939-100

147.6
248.4

147.1
247.6

141.8
238.7

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
£0.831
1957-59-$l.00
.678
1947-49-$1.00
.403
1939-$1.00

$0,834
.680
.404

$0,865
.705
.419

Commodities less food TJ
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel New cars

\J
2/
3/
4/
5/
bj
2J
%J
9/
10/
11/

100.5
126.7
104.2

100.1
126.9

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
Called "Solid and petroleum fuels" prior to 1964.
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and funeral, legal, and bank service charges..
Includes home purchase costs which were classified under services prior to 1964.
Also includes auto parts, toys, and recreational goods not shown separately.
Excludes home purchase costs which were classified under this heading prior to 1964.
Called "Durables less cars" prior to 1964.
Includes the services components of apparel, personal care, reading and recreation, and other goods and services.




1.1
1.2
.2

2.0
2.1
.1
.2

3.5
3.8
5.3
5.4
3.0
3.5
4.4
3.1
3.8
5.1
4.4
4.1
7.3
5.7

- 3.9

TABLE 2: Consumer Price Index—The United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, All Items
Most recent index and percent changes from selected dates

Area 1/

Pricing
Schedule 2/

1957-59=100

1947-49=100

Other
bases
April
1968

May 1968

U.S. City Average

120.3

147.6

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles-Long Beach —
New York

117.8
118.9
120.9
122.9
121.5

148.5
146.6
150.7
148.0
149.1

Philadelphia

123.6
118.0
120.4
119.4

1.6
1.1
.9
1.6

153.1
145.4
149.0
147.1

114.3
119.1

147.9

115.9

146.1

3/ 121.1
121.0

4/ 152.2
145.6

112.7
108.7

117.8
118.7
117.1

145.8
147.3
142.5

121.7
120.2
122.7

150.5
149.2
155.7

April
1967
4.0
3.9
5.4
4.6

February
1968

May
1967

1.8
1.1
2.2
.8
.9
.7
1.6

4.4
6.5
4.8
3.3
4.4
3.7
4.6

December
1967

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100) —
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco-Oakland

May
1967

4.6
3.8
3.4

January
1968

May 1968

Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) «
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) --Milwaukee
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
Seattle
Washington

February
1968

.3
.3
.2
.3
.4

April 1968
Boston
Houston
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Pittsburgh -

Percent change from:

0.9
1.1
.9
1.0
1.2
1.1
1.2

March
1967
3.3
3.4
4.9
3.9
3.2
4.1
4.8

_1/ Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except
for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.
2) Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as
indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.
2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.
U Corrected index: February 1968, 120.2.
A/ Corrected index: February 1968, 151.1.




TABLE 3; Consumer Price Index—The United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Major Groups
Percent charge from April 1968 to May 1968
U.S. City
Average

Group

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

Los AngelesLong Beach

Detroit

Chicago

0.3

0.3

0.3

.4
.3
.9
.1
.3
.3
.5
.3
.1

.2
.5
1.0
- .3
0
- .3
.5
.1
- .1

.4
.4
1.3
.2
.2
.3
- .2
.3
- .3

-

New York

0.2

0.3

a

.5
.2
.9
.1
0
.2
.2
.1
.2

.5
.4
.2
.2
.8
.8
.1
.2

Philadelphia
0.4
.9
.1
.4
.4
.4
1.2
1.1
- .3
(2/)

-

If See footnote 1, table 2.
If Not available.

TABLE 4: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
Major group indexes, selected dates
(1957-59-100)
Health and recreation
Apparel
and

All
items

Food

Housing

Reading
and

TransportaT

Medical

Personal

Other
goods
and

1

1966:

May
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Jan.

120.3
119.9
119.5
119.0
118.6

118.8
118.3
117.9
117.4
117.0

117.8
117.5
117.2
116.9
116.4

119.5
118.4
117.6
116.6
115.9

119.1
119.0
119.0
118.6
118.7

129.2
128.8
128.3
127.5
127.1

144.0
143.5
142.9
141. <?
141.?

119.6
110.0
118.4
117.6
117.6

125. *
124.9
174.2
l?3.0
127.7

1??.6
1??."5
1??.4
122.1
171.9

1967:

Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept
Aug.
July
June
May

118.2
117.8
117.5
117.1
116.9
116.5
116.0
115.6

116.2
115.6
115.7
115.9
116.6
116.0
115.1
113.9

116.0
115.5
115.3
115.0
114.7
114.3
114.1
113.9

116.8
116.6
116.0
115.1
113.8
113.7
113.9
113.8

117.9
118.3
117.7
116.8
116.4
116.2
115.7
115.5

126.6
126.2
125.5
124.9
124.2
173.6
123.2
122.8

140.4
139.7
139.0
138.5
137.5
136.9
136.3
135.7

117.2
116.9
116.5
116.4
116.1
115.5
115.3
115.0

122.?
12?.0
121.4
170.5
120.0
119.8
119.7
119.6

171.4
l?1.0
120. **
119.7
118.8
117.8
116. P
116.7

Annual Average:

1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1957

116.3
113.1
109.9
108.1
106.7
105.4
98.0

115.2
114.2
108.8
106.4
105.1
103.6
97.8

114.3
111.1
108.5
107.2
106.0
104.8
98.5

114.0
109.6
106.8
105.7
104.8
103.6
99.5

115.9
112.7
111.1
109.3
107.8
107.2
96.5

123.8
119.0
115.6
113.6
111.4
109.4
97.0

136.7
127.7
122.3
119.4
117.0
114.2
95.5

115.5
112.?
109.9
109.2
107.9
106.5
97.1

l?0.1
117.1
115.?
114.1
111.5
109.6
96.9

118.?
114.9
111.4
108.8
107.1
105.*
98.5




TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Commodity Groups
May 1968 indexes and percent changes from February 1968
Group

U.S.
City
Average

Buffalo
(Nov.1963=100)

Chicago

I Cleveland

|

D
(Nov

Los Angele

^!100)

Long Hear.

Indexes (1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
All items

120.3

114.3

117.8

119.1

112.7

118.9

120.9

Food
Food at home
Cereal? and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

118.8
115.6
118.4
113.0
120.2
130.7
101.9
135.1

114.8
113.3
105.7
110.5
114.6
131.8
107.1
124.1

118.9
117.5
120.9
112.9
133.1
127.7
103.1
125.8

115.8
113.1
112.0
114.1
119.2
126.8
98.7
131.9

113.6
111.7
110.4
112.8
121.5
118.9
101.4
121.0

116.7
113.9
111.6
115.6
124.8
119.9
99.8
132.1

116.8
111.5
119.9
103.1
119.1
136.5
93.0
136.0

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

117.8
121.6
114.6
124.3
110.3
115.3
109.5
112.5

112.2
113.5
105.8
114.9
108.5
108.4
109.3
111.2

114.2
116.5
110.0
119.5
107.9
108.8
108.1
112.4

115.5
116.3
104.4
118.5
115.4

110.5
113.2
103.4
117.8
104.0

113.1
115.8

122.1
128.3
114.5
132.7
106.1

116.3
110.5

Apparel and upkeep —
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'Footwear

119.5
119.8
116.2
131.2

120.6
118.5
123.2
124.4

115.9
114.2
112.7
128.0

Transportation •
Private
Public

119.1
116.8

111.2
111.6
106.5
116.3
120.1
112.5
114.1
117.1

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services

122.6

j

99.3
108.8

118.6
103.3
106.4
104.6
108.7

112.4
111.3

117.6
122.4
110.2
132.6

112.9
114.9
113.1
111.8

117.9
116.8
116.8
127.9

118.6
122.3
118.0
126.0

117.1
116.2
123.9

120.8
117.4
142.1

109.4
109.1
114.1

119.2
116.6
135.9

122.8
118.3
153.6

124.2
152.5
117.4
108.9
115.9

130.1
153.7
114.3
119.4
127.5

117.2
124.1
113.1
114.5
112.7

132.4
154.4
126.1
125.7
117.8

123.7
141.1
115.1
110.6
120.4

.5
.4
.7
.9
.2
3.8
• 3.1
1.0

1.8
.5

Percent changes February 1968 to May 1968
All items
Food

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
See footnotes at end of table.




1.2
1.2
.2
.9
1.4
4.6
.7
1.4

2.4
2.4
1.6
.8
2.3
7.7

.3
.1
.7
1.3
2.8
1.0
.1
1.1

1.4
1.2
.3
1.7
.5
3.3
.3
3.0

4

1.0
1.1
.7
1.3
0

.6
.7
5.5

0
.7

.5
2.2

1.5
.7
.7
.2
2.0
2.6
2.8
3.2
1.1

2.0
1.7
7.9
.6
2.0
3.5
1.2
2.7

.7
.6
.6
.5
1.3
.2
1.2

2.3
2.7
.4
3.1
.8
0
1.3
1.8

*
.8
0
.2
0
.5

2.5
2.6
3.4
1.6

2.9
3.0
4.1
1.6

4.3
4.2
7.2
2.0

.9
1.0
1.7
.2

3.7
2.6
5.6
2.6

.3
.3
.2

.3
.3
.4

2.4
2.6
.3

1.0
2.3
1.5

1.4
1.9
.9
1.5
1.7

1.9
1.6
3.9
2.5
.1

.4
.3
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.9
.4

.3
.1
1.4
0
.4

1.4
1.4

.3
.5
.4
1.0
0
0
.2
1.5
1.5
2.2
.2
1.4
1.4
.3

1.9
3.6
.4

1.2
1.8
2.3
.6
.4

TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Commodity Groups
May 1968 indexes and percent changes from February 1968 —Continued
Group

Philadelphia

San Diego
(Feb.1965-100)

Washington

Indexes (1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)

115.9

122.9

121.5

108.7

1/ 121.1

121.0

117.2
115.3
106.9
114.1
125.9
132.3
102.1
128.3

119.4
114.5
116.8
113.9
111.6
131.9
100.9
140.6

119.5
114.9
115.0
110.9
126.4
131.6
98.2
143.8

111.2
108.4
107.8
113.9
107.9
110.6
99.6
118.7

4/ 118.2
113.7
109.9
112.0
122.4
132.5
98.6
137.1

120.7
117.0
112.6
115.7
123.2
127.8
107.4
135.8

113.1
113.9
107.2
116.2
111.3
118.4
101.9
112.1

121.3
124.1
122.9
110.5
121.1
110.8
119.4

117.1
117.9
115.0
118.6
109.5
122.2
102.7
115.6

108.4
111.7
107.7
113.3
99.5
100.0
104.7

122.1
130.2
121.5
132.2
112.7
109.8
97.9
110.9

115.9
118.1
119.1
115.9
103.1
115.8
100.6
116.3

Apparel and upkeep
Men*8 and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

116.4
117.9
112.9
128.3

123.9
127.1
118.7
130.8

126.4
119.9
123.1
136.4

107.1
112.9
103.0
112.9

118.6
120.4
117.1
134.0

126.3
121.9
125.6
137.2

Transportation
Private
Public

113.1
111.9
130.0

119.2
118.4
125.5

127.3
121.8
155.6

106.3
106.4
105.0

119.4
118.4
128.6

118.7
116.6
131.8

Health and recreation —
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services

121.8
136.1
122.5
118.7
113.6

133.3
145.5
115.8
136.4
127.5

128.6
149.7
114.5
119.7

109.7
115.8
102.2
105.2
113.2

124.2
138.0
115.6
116.5
123.6

131.4
163.9
118.5
125.5
115.0

All items

~

Food

'

i

•

•

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Uousing
S
h
e
l
t
e
r

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

(V)

Percent changes February 1968 to May 1968
1.2

All items
.9
1.0
0
.9
.3
5.7
1.6
.4

Food —
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
S
h
e
l
t
e
r

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys*
Women's and girls'
Footwear

•-

Transportation
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care •
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

—

1.3
1.9
.5
2.4
0
0
0
.5

0.7

1.6

2.0
2.1
1.2
2.2
2.0
5.4
- .5
1.8

1.8
.9
.3
1.6
.8
4.1
2.4
4.0

.9
.9
.2
1.1
.2
5.3
1.7
1.0

3.0
3.5
1.0
5.2
3.1
8.8
1.0
1.9

.1
.4
.3
.8
.5

.5
.4
2.4
.4
0

2.3
0
.6

0
.9

.7
.5
.9
.3
.2
.5
0
1.4

.4
.1
.5
.3
.2
2.7
.9
1.7

1.2
.3
1.8
.3
.9

-

2.7
2.1
3.9
1.2

2.7
3.9
2.1

2.3
2.6
2.7
2.9

1.9
1.7
3.4
.4

1.2
.6
1.6
1.4

4.1
4.0
5.7
2.4

2.3
2.5
0

.2
0
.6

.6
.7
.1

.6
.7
.1

.5
.7
.3

.5
.5
.4

.7
.1
1.0
2.1
0

1.1
1.5
1.0
1.8
0

1.3
1.9
1.7
1.5

.7
.1
1.7
.7
1.3

1.2
1.5
.5
2.9
.1

1.3
1.9
1.5
1.3
.3

1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
I) Change from March 1968.
3/ Corrected Index: February 1968, 120.2.
kj Corrected Index: February 1968, 117.1.
5/ Not available.




1.2
1.2
.2
.7
.8
5.4
.1
1.3

-

(1/)

TABLE 6: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food and its Subgroups
May 1968 Indexes and Percent Changes from April 1968

Food at home
Total
food

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits
and
vegetables

Other
foods
at home

Food
away
from
home

Indexes (1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
U.S. City Average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) —
Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

118.8

118.4

113.0

120.2

130.7

101.9

135.1

117.2
120.6
122.5
114.8
118.9
116.0
115.8
113.6
116.7
112.2
118.7
122.3
116.8
117.2
117.4
119.4
119.5
115.0
123.8
111.2
118.0
118.2
120.7

113.7
123.3
121.8
105.7
120.9
112.1
112.0
110.4
111.6
111.1
125.7
123.0
119.9
106.9
109.3
116.8
115.0
116.9
120.9
107.8
117.5
109.9
112.6

115.0
115.0
119.8
110.5
112.9
113.2
114.1
112.8
115.6
111.8
109.2
116.6
103.1
114.1
111.3
113.9
110.9
115.2
119.0
113.9
110.8
112.0
115.7

113.3
117.4
115.6
114.6
133.1
113.6
119.2
121.5
124.8
113.4
119.0
128.3
119.1
125.9
126.0
111.6
126.4
110.1
133.2
107.9
115.9
122.4
123.2

130.2
132.9
129.3
131.8
127.7
129.6
126.8
118.9
119.9
119.3
131.2
131.2
136.5
132.3
128.5
131.9
131.6
124.4
137.7
110.6
132.0
132.5
127.8

106.6
102.4
103.9
107.1
103.1
98.2
98.7
101.4
99.8
103.7
102.6
106.2
93.0
102.1
103.4
100.9
98.2
99.3
101.2
99.6
98.3
98.6
107.4

125.6
137.8
142.9
124.1
125.8
133.7
131.9
121.0
132.1
113.9
134.1
132.3
136.0
128.3
130.3
140.6
143.8
131.5
136.9
118.7
137.5
137.1
135.8

114. 8
116.5
117.8
113.3
117.5
112.6
113. 1
111.7
113.9
111.6
115.1
119.5
111.5
115.3
114.6
114.5
114.9
112.4
120.4
108.4
113.6
113.7
117.0

Percent changes April 1968 to May 1968
U.S. City Average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) ~
Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
•—
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

0.4

.9

1.2
.2
.9
.4
.6
.4
.2
.6
0
.1
.2
1.0
.5
.9
.3
1.0
.8
.1
.2
1.1

1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
2/ Not available.




0.4

1.0
1.0
1.1
.2
1.1
.1
.6
.4
.5
.6
.2
.2
.2
1.2
.5
1.1
.3
1.2
.5
.2
.1
1.1

- 1.1

0.1
.1
.9
.7
1.6
.3
.3
.4

.1
.2
1.3
.6
1.6
.3
1.1
1.2
.9
.4
.3
.5
.2

2.0
1.9
.9
.1
.1
.7
1.1
.7
.6
0
.7
.3
.3
.4
.1
.4
1.4
.8
.6
.1
.4
.1
2.4

1.2
2.6
2.1
1.6
.4
1.2
1.8
.1
.7
2.4
.2
.7
.1
3.5
1.1
2.0
.3
1.8
.3
.2
.1
2.2

5.4
2.0
3.1
2.7
.1
4.9
1.0
2.5
3.1
2.1
1.2
1.9
.9
1.9
3.0
2.3
2.3
.3
4.2
.2
.4
1.3
1.3

-

2.2
1.9
1.1
.3
.6
.7
1.0
1.7
1.7
.4

-

.8

-

1.2
1.2
1.9
.8
1.3
1.1
1.3
.9
2.4
.3
.5
1.0

.6
.1
.5
2.5
.2
.1
2.5
.7
.3
.7
.4
.4
.1

(1/)
.5
.6
.2
.9
.1

(2/)
.2
.4
1.1

TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food Items
May 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Index
May 1968
Seasonally
adjusted

Item or Group

Total food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks 1/
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal If
Corn flakes
Rice —
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat 1/
Cookies
Layer cake jy
Cinnamon rolls If —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Beef and veal —
S teak, round
Steak, sirloin If
Steak, porterhouse \J —
Rump roast If
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver 1/
Veal cutlets
Pork —
Chops
Loin roast 2J —
Pork sausage If
Ham, whole
Picnics 1/
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops JL/
Frankfurters -»
Ham, canned If
Bologna sausage If
Salami sausage If
Liverwurst \f —
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts If
Turkey If
~.
Fish
Shrimp, frozen If
Fish, fresh or frozen —
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned jL/
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim If
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream

Cheese, American process Butter
See footnotes at end of table.




118.8
135.1
135.3
117.1
115.6
118.4
112.7
117.3
128.0
110.0
123.3
114.2
99.8
108.1
107.0
113.0
115.7
117.1
112.9
110.8
115.7
108.9
124.0
109.0
119.1
106.6
141.6
114.0
116.6
122.7
122.7
109.1
113.0
117.3
118.9
128.3
116.3
115.1
118.2
113.5
115.6
91.0
92.3
102.6
95.6
122.9
106.7
124.8
110.5
121.1
120.2
118.3
123.4
117.5
118.9
98.2
138.4
116.8

Percent change to May 1968 from-April 1968
May
Seasonally
1967
adjusted
Unadjusted

0.4
.5
.5
.6
.4
.1
.1
.2

119.4

•

125.4
110.7
121.3
141.9
119.1
123.6

121.7
119.4

.9

2.6
2.7
1.9
1.6
•
.5
• 1.3

•

•

.1
.3
0
.4
.5

•

.6

.9
• .7
• 1.7
3.1
0
1.3
• 1.0
.4
•

122.7
124.4
120.9
119.5

138.3
117.4

1.0
1.2
1.0
2.9

.1
.3
.7
.3
1.3
.2
1.2

2.9
0

.3

• .4
• .3
• 1.8
• 2.2
• .7
• 1.2
.6
•

-

.9

.3
.2
.1
1.3
1.3
.8
.3
.6

114.8
117.9
118.4
114.5

0.6

.7

.4

.4

1.8
.2
1.2
1.5
1.6
2.6
1.3
• .7
.7
.3

.2

-

1.3
2.0

-

4.3
5.0
4.9
5.1
4.2
.3
1.7
.5
.7
1.8
.6
.1
2.2
2.0
1.1
4.1
5.0
6.5
7.7
7.8
8.9
6.9
6.7
7.8
4.9
.7
8.0
4.6
7.3
6.1
3.3
3.5
.6
4.2
2.3
8.5
.2
.5
1.9
2.2
0
1.7
3.4
2.2
6.7
.4
4.4
.3
.9
7.0
3.7
5.0
5.7
6.0
1.4
.4
1.4
1.3

TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food Items
May 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates--Continued
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Index
Item or Group
Unadjusted
130.7
142.7
170.5
103.5
141.8
84.4
167.3
(3/)

Fruits and vegetables —
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Apples
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh If
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries 3/"""
Watermelon 3/
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus \J 3/
Cabbage

122.0

(2/)

Cucumbers 1/
Peppers, green 1/
Spinach 1/
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned 1/
Grapefruit-pineapple juice, canned 1/
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen 2/
Beets, canned 1/
-r
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen If — •
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils:
Margarine •
Salad dressing, Italian 1/
Salad or cooking oil If
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored If
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee, can and bag

—

Cola drink ~
Carbonated fruit drink 1/ —
Prepared and partially prepared foods If
Bean soup, canned If
Chicken soup, canned 1/
Spaghetti, canned 1/
Mashed potatoes, instant \f
Potatoes, french fried, frozen 2/
Baby foods, canned
Sweet pickle relish If
Pretzels If
1/
If
3/
4/

December 1963-100.
April 1960-100.
Priced only in season.
July 1961=100.




142.1
171.8
122.9
161.4
113.0
111.2
159.1
114.1
211.8
102.3
163.0
115.6
109.1
118.3
95.2
86.6
90.0
110.7
121.5
131.0
123.4
100.9
101.9
81.9
103.8
102.9
121.9
116.7
112.9
118.4
106.9
101.9
101.1
87.4
98.1
101.2
147.7
115.9
102.1
100.9
96.0
112.1
102.2
86.8
105.7
108.4
105.5

Seasonally
adjusted

128.9
139.1
161.3
102.5
146.8
176.5
(3/)
122.9
(3/)
135.6
170.3
152.7
115.8
114.4
111.8
145.3

103.0
88.7

Percent change to May 1968 from-May
April 1968
Seasonally
1967
Unadjusted
Unadjusted
adjusted

1.9
2.7
6.6
9.6
3.0
1.8
11.2
(3/)
-11.4

an
18.8
- 5.5
9.6
7.5
- 9.2
4.3
-27.3
-18.6
13.4
- 2.3
10.1
.4
.8
.3
1.0
2.2
- 1.2
.4
.5
.2
- .2
1.1
- 1.1
- 8.7
.2
- .1
- .2
.3
- .2
.4
.7
.3
.6
.5
1.3
0
.9
.8
0
.2
.1
.1
.1
1.4
0
- 1.3
0

1.7
2.1

.2
9.4
.6
4.6
(3/)
- 3.6

m

- 6.7
6.4
-12.1
1.6

-28.0

12.3
15.1
20.9
11.5
30.7
18.0
40.7
(3/)
- 4,4
Q./)
13.4
27.4
25.0
12.5
10.1
5.7
22.8
-23.1
15.5
2.3
37.1
7.9
14.5
28.2
1.3
19.6

.5
3.9

.6
4.2
.2
7.1
9.6
1.7
1.2
- .5
- 1.1
2.0
- 2.0
2.3
1.2
2.1
1.9
3.9
2.0
- 1.1
1.1
.3
7.4
7.1
1.6
1.1
- .4
3.4
.3
3.1
.2
1.2
4.1




OLD SERIES

TABLE 8: Consumer Price Index—Scr ant on, Pennsylvania
Jill item* «nd commodity groups
May 1968 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59-100)
Percent change from —
Index

Group

February 1968

May 1967

All items
All items (1947-49-100)

121.4
144.8

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home —

117.7
114.8
120.4
117.6
116.8
116.9
103.5

1.5
1.6
.8
1.2
3.7
3.0
.2

5.1
5.0
.9
4.8
7.3
11.1
1.9

Housing •
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid and petroleum fuels
Housefurnishings
Household operation

114.3
113.8
105.8
103.8
106.5
121.0

1.4
.4
0
4.6
.5
.9

1.8
1.1
1.0
5.2
5.8
3.0

Apparel
Men's and boys*
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel

121.0
121.6
118.6
131.9
107.7

1.3
1.8
.6
1.9
1.1

4.6
4.0
4.7
5.6
4.5

Transportation
Private
Public —

115.6
112.6
134.6

.7
.8
0

2.6
2.8
1.0

148.6
129.8
165.3
125.9

.5
.2
.2
.2

5.0
5.5
1.7
8.3

•

Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

3.7

Table 9:

Percent Change in Prices for Selected Groups in the Consumer
Price Index and the Wholesale Price Index
(Seasonally adjusted except where indicated)
April 1968 to
May 1968

0.4

1.1
0.5
1.2
.7

Food and beverages at home

.6

Apparel and accessories

.6

Household furnishings and supplies

.7

Gasoline and motor oil

.2

Duxflui- ft —————————•__•»_———.——_———_———_.
New passenger cars
Appliances

1.6
1.3
.2
.5
2.0

0
.3
.4
0

Furniture and floor coverings

.3

•Other durables

.3

Aug. 1967 to
Nov. 1967

May 1967 to
Aug. 1967

.1
.1
.2
0
.5
0

2.0
1.6
1.5
.2
.6
.1
.1
1.1
1.1

1.0

1.3

0.6
1.5

1.4
1.5
1.8
.7
1.8
.5
.3
- .2
- .6
.3
1.0
.4

1.9
1.8
1.2
.6
1.4
1.3
.7
.9
.4

2.9
1.4
.7
.2
.1
.6
.2
.2

0.7
-

.7
0
1.1
.1
1.0
1.6
1.0
1.3
.2

1.8

1.1

1.0

.9

May 1967 to
Mav 1968
4.1

0.8

.5

Other nondurables

Nov. 1967 to
Feb. 1968

0.2

*ALL ITEMS

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Feb. 1968 to
May 1968

.1

-

.7

-

.7
.9
.2

.5
.7
.9
.3

0.4
.5
.1
.4
.7

- 6.7

.4

.2

1.4

1.2
2.0
.5
1.3
.4

.9
1.1
.4
.5
.3

.6
0
.2
.3
1.7

3.8

4.1

5.3

3.4

2.6
.1

3.6
- 5.7

3.9

2.0

3.2

2.2

3.5

1.6

1.1

1.3

4.5

3.5

3.3

1.3

1.3

1.1

0.9

4.7

.4

.9

1.6

.9

.8

4.3

.2

.6

.6

.5

.4

2.2

•Utilities and public transportation

.2

.5

.6

.4

.5

2.0

•Housekeeping and home maintenance services

.5

1.9

2.5

1.6

1.2

7.4

•Medical care services

.5

1.8

1.8

2.0

1.6

7.3

•Personal care services

.7

2.2

1.1

1.0

1.3

5.6

•Other services

.4

2.2

1.2

1.5

*Insurance and finance

3.0

4.1

0.4

•CONSUMER SERVICES

2.8

3.9

3.3

5.8

WHOLESALE PRICES:
Type of Product:
2.1

2.8

4.3

2.0

-2.1

2.9

Processed foods and feeds

.7

1.3

2.0

.9

.2

2.6

"Industrial commodities

.2

.2

1.1

.3

2.5

Chemicals and allied products

.1

.5

.3

0

- .3

Rubber and rubber products

.1

.3

.3

1.0

2.5

4.2

1.2

4.0

3.8

2.3

1.6

12.3

.4

- .6

1.1

.7

.3

1.5

1.4

•1.4

2.1

1.6

.3

2.6

.2

.8

1.2

.5

.4

3.0

.3

1.0

1.2

.5

.4

3.1

.4

.9

1.4

.2

.4

2.9

0

.6

1.1

1.2

.5

3.4

Farm products

Industrial Materials and Equipment:

Lumber and wood products
Pulp, paper and allied products
* Metals «nd metal products
Machinery and equipment

-

.1

Stage of Processing at Wholesale:

Producer
Intermediate materials, supplies and components
Crude materials

- .2

.2

1.3

.6

.2

2.3

.3

1.3

3.2

1.1

•1.9

1.4

N O T E : T h e price changes shown for Consumer Products and components are for roughly comparable classes of finished consumer products from the
CPI and WPI. A brief description of the classes of items contained in each group is included at the end of this report. Complete listings of
inclusions in the CPI and WPI groupings will be furnished on request.
•Based on data unadjusted for seasonal variations.




14

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into the index structure in the 1964
revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. l_l The table below shows
standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent changes in the CPI for all items
and for nine commodity groupings based on 1967 averages. The figures may be interpreted as
follows: the chances are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in the CPI as computed
differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less than twice the standard
error. Data also are shown in terms of the relative error of the standard error of percent
changes. The relative errors tend to decrease markedly for successively longer time periods,
as expected.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some ambiguity may arise in
interpreting small index changes. The table below indicates, for example, that a month-tomonth change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI is significant. Because of rounding,
however, a change of this size in the published index might result from a much smaller change
in the unrounded value. Hence, any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not be
significant. On the other hand, a published change of 0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of the time period to which it relates.

Standard and Relative Errors of Percent Changes in the
CPI Based on 1967 Data

Component

Monthly
Change

All items
Food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Apparel
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation Other goods and services

.03
.08
.06
.04
.16
.07
.12
.14
.08
.10

Standard Error
Quarterly
Annua1
Change
Change

.05
.11
.12
.07
.24
.12
.17
.19
.12
.14

.07
.16
.27
.14
.26
.14
.26
.34
.15
.20

Monthly
Change

Relative Error
Quarterly
Change

Annual
Change

.12
.14
.16
.18
.29
.17
.23
.56
.29
.25

.07
.10
.10
.11
.23
.11
.10
.26
.16
.13

.03
.19
.05
.05
.06
.05
.04
.12
.06
.07

This replaces the table of average standard errors based on 1965 data which was
included in the CPI report through January 1968.

\J The method of deriving these estimates is described in a paper by Marvin Wilkerson,
"Measurement of Sampling Error in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 1967.




15

Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods
and services usually bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers, both families
and single persons living alone. It is based on prices of about 400 items which were
selected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by
wage earners and clerical workers. Prices for these items are obtained in urban portions of 39 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller cities,
which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States, including
Alaska and Hawaii. They are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage
earners and clerical workers patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in
all 56 locations. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every
month in the 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in other SMSA's and 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
location are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in the
spending of all wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1960 populations of SMSA's and
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1957-59«100, and are
also available on the bases of 1947-49-100 and 1939*100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from
the 23 SMSA's for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following additional locations:
Alabama - Florence
Alaska - Anchorage
California - Bakersfield*
Colorado - Denver*
Connecticut - Hartford*
Florida - Orlando*
Indiana - Indianapolis*
Indiana - Logansport
Illinois - Champaign-Urbana*
Iowa - Cedar Rapids*
Kansas - Wichita*

Louisiana - Baton Rouge*
Maine - Portland*
Massachusetts - Southbridge
Michigan - Niles
Minnesota - Crookston
Mississippi - Vicksburg
New Jersey - Millville
New York -Kingston
North Carolina - Durham*
North Dakota - Devils Lake
Ohio - Dayton*

Ohio - Findlay
Oklahoma - Mangum
Oregon - Klamath Falls
Pennsylvania - Lancaster*
South Carolina - Union
Tennessee - Nashville*
Texas - Austin*
Texas - McAllen
Utah - Orem
Virginia - Martinsville
Wisconsin - Green Bay*

*Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show only that prices in one
location changed more or less than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used to
measure differences in price levels or in living costs between areas.
A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C. 20212 or any of its regional offices
(addresses below).
BLS Regional Offices
1371 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

341 Ninth Avenue
New York, New York 10001

219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102

John F. Kennedy Fed. Bldg.
Boston, Massachusetts 02203

911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Missouri

411 N. Akard St.
Dallas, Texas 75201

Box 1784
William Penn Annex
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania




19105

64106

Composition of Index Groupings Appearing in Table 9

Consumer Price Index
AT T

All commodities and services

All Commodities

All commodities except home purchase, used cars,
food and beverages away from home, newspapers,
magazines and books.

Nondurable and durable commodities ready for use by
home consumers except a few individual consumer
products included in WPI groupings of commodities
purchased primarily by individual firms.

All nondurable commodities except food and
beverages away from home and newspapers, magazines and books.

A combination of indexes listed below. 1/

Food and beverages at home

Food at home, alcoholic beverages at home.

Fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, and eggs
from the farm products group; and the processed foods
and feeds group, excluding crude vegetable oils and
manufactured animal feeds.

Apparel and accessories

Apparel, footwear, and accessories. 2/

Apparel and some fabrics and sewing materials,
leather footwear, leather gloves, rubber footwear,
watches and clocks, jewelry.

Household furnishings and supplies

Home maintenance nondurables, fuel oil and
coal, textile housefurnishings, housekeeping
supplies.

Textile housefurnishings, fuels for home use (except
gas), soap and synthetic detergents, sanitary papers
and health products, matches, pens and pencils, and
prepared paints, and miscellaneous housekeeping
supplies.

Gasoline and motor oil

Gasoline and motor oil.

Gasoline and automotive motor oil.

Other nondurables

Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, toilet goods,
recreational nondurables, tobacco products.

Pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics and other
toilet preparations, tobacco products, personal
brushes, and recreational items such as toys, film,
and playing cards.

All durable commodities except home purchase
and used cars.

A combination of indexes listed below. 1/

TTITMC

_

_

—

_

.._-.__.—..—.

-*_—_•.—,

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Nondurable

Durable

New cars.
Appliances

Furniture and floor coverings

Household appliances, radio and TV.

Home electronic equipment, room heaters,, and household appliances, excluding electric lamps.

Furniture and floor coverings.

Household furniture and floor coverings.

Home maintenace durables, other housefurnishings, tires, recreational durables,
except radio and TV.

Other durable commodities throughout the WPI which
are used for home maintenance, including some household geods, tires and tubes, outboard motors, equipment for home workshops and home gardens, recreational items such as photographic equipment, sporting
and athletic goods, musical instruments, and phonograph records, electric lamps, typewriters, luggage
and small leather goods, and caskets and morticians
goods.

CONSUMER SERVICES
Insurance and finance

Mortgage interest, taxes and insurance, automobile insurance and other auto expenses. ZJ

Rent

Rent of home or apartment.

Utilities and public transportation

Gas and electricity, telephone, water and
sewer, public transportation.

Housekeeping and home maintenance services —

Housekeeping and home maintenance services.

and educational

services, personal expenses.

WHOLESALE PRICES
Type of product
Farm Product
Processed foods and feeds
Industrial commodities

Same as the Wholesale Price Indexes for major groups.

Stage of Processing at wholesale
Finished goods
Consumer
Producer
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
components
Crude materials

The Wholesale Price Stage of Processing Indexes.
The Consumer Finished Goods index differs from the
Consumer Products index in weighting structure and
is based on a larger sample of commodities.

1/ The classification by durable and nondurable commodities is based on CPI classification and is not necessarily the same as the WPI classification in the
Indexes by Durability of Product
2/ Same as apparel commodities.
2J Includes registration and license fees and parking fees.