Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1955
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Issued December 21, 1955 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR NOVEMBER 1955 Consumer prices in United States cities rose O.l percent between October and November 1955* according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. A further decline in food prices was not enough to offset higher prices for other major categories of family spending. The largest increases were for transportation, medical care, and housing. The November Consumer Price Index was 115#0 percent of the 19U7-U9 average, 0.3 percent higher than a year ago and 0.3 percent below the October 1953 peak. FOOD The retail food price index, at 109*8, was at its lowest point since December 1950, 0.9 percent lower than in October, and 1.2 percent below the November 195U level. Forty-four of the 1*6 cities surveyed reported lower food prices. The chief factor in the decrease during the last month was a decline of nearly 8 percent for pork. In addition, prices were lower for all other cuts of meat, poultry (down 3»3 percent), fresh fruits (down 3.2 percent), and eggs (down 2.? percent). Fresh vegetable prices rose 5 percent on the average, and the dairy products group rose 0.3 percent, primarily because of several increases in milk prices. The index for meats, poultry, and fish fell below the 19U7-U9 average for the first time since April 1950. As a result of the heavy runs of hogs to market, pork chop prices fell in all 1*6 cities from an average of 81 cents a pound in October to 73 cents in November, a decrease of 9*9 percent. Bacon prices dropped 8.U percent and ham U.8 percent. Of the beef and veal items, round steak showed the greatest decrease, 2.6 percent; chuck roast averaged l.U percent lower, and smaller drops were reported for other cuts. Ready-to-cook poultry prices fell 3#9 percent. Supplies continued large and promised to remain ample into the new year. Retail prices of all fruits and vegetables combined increased slightly from October to November. An 11.8 percent decrease in oranges, reflecting marketing of the Florida crop, led the decline in fresh fruit prices, followed by smaller decreases in prices of bananas and apples. These declines were partially offset by sharp rises in prices of grapes (up 20.U percent) and grapefruit (up 10.U percent). Ffresh vegetable prices jumped 5 percent over the month, as tomato prices, which began to rise seasonally in September, increased 21.9 percent, and white potato prices rose 5*5 percent, their first increase since the downward trend started in June. The index for other foods at home dropped 0.7 percent. There was a 2.7 percent decrease in egg prices, reflecting heavy production. Chocolate bar prices were cut U percent with the return of larger sixe bars in many stores. Coffee prices increased in Ul cities, by an average of 0.7 percent. Restaurant meal prices were unchanged from their October level. 2 HOUSING The rise of 0*1 percent in housing costs between October and November reflected increases in residential rents, housefurnishings, household operation, gas bills, and anthracite coal. However, residential rents were only 0.1 percent higher than in October. Prices for home repair and maintenance items also rose during the month. Household operation costs were up 0.3 percent, with higher rates for laundry and dry cleaning services and some housefurnishings such as sheets, drapery fabrics, sewing machines, living room suites, and aluminum saucepans• Lower prices were reported for refrigerators, toasters, vacuum cleaners, dinnerware, and wool rugs. OTHER COMMODITIES New car prices rose again in November, by 6.9 percent, as the AND SERVICES changeover to 1956 models was completed. As in October, the new models carried higher price tags and lower dealer concessions than the last of the 1955 models. Prices of used cars and gasoline were lower than in October. Higher rates for group hospitalization insurance in 3 cities were largely responsible for the rise of 0.9 percent in the medical care index, although fees for professional services continued upward during the month* The advance of 0.U percent in costs of personal care reflected increases in costs of men's haircuts in h cities. Reading and recreation costs were up 0.1 percent from October, as prices of toys and television sets advanced. Apparel prices increased 0.1 percent as higher shoe prices more than offset the effect of lowered prices of some items of women's and girls9 apparel. TABLE 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates November 1955 October 1955 September 1955 November 195U June 1950 Group This Month Last Month 2 Months Ago Last Year Pre-Korea Year 1939 PreWorld War II INDEXES ( 1 9 V M 9 = 1 0 0 ) FOOD 1/ Food at home Cereals and bakery products . . Meats, poultry and fish . . . . Dairy products . . . . . . . . Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . .. .. APPAREL Footwear TRANS PGRTATIGN MEDICAL CARE OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/ . . . . ii5*o llU.9 llU.9 11U.6 101.9 59.* 109.6 110.8 111.6 111.1 100.5 1*7.1 108 .2 123.9 97.1 107.8 109.0 113.1 109.U 123.9 100.9 107.5 108.5 113.9 110.ii 12U.0 103.5 106.5 110.2 llU.l 110.1 123.1 103.5 106.6 109.6 113.7 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 9^.1 47.1 57.2 1*1.6 1*9.8 i*8kl* 120,9 120.8 120.U 119.5 104.9 76.1 130.9 111.5 126.7 10ii.5 120,5 130.8 111.2 126.3 10U.li 120.1 130.5 111.2 125.2 103.6 119.8 129.2 108.7 12U.2 105.U 117.8 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.4 99.6 10U.7 10U.6 10U.6 10U.6 96.5 52.5 106.0 99.3 119.2 91.0 106.0 99.5 118.1 91.0 105.8 99.5 118.1 91.0 106.5 99.5 117.0 91.2 98.1 93.3 102.1 V 88.1* n 128.5 129.8 117.5 106.8 120.6 126.6 128.7 117.0 106.7 120.6 125.3 128.2 116.6 106.7 120.6 127.6 126.1 113.8 106.8 120.0 1*6.3 86.6 104.9 56.1* 53.1* 68.1* V 99.2 102.5 103.7 68.9 72.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 June 1950 Year 1939 109.9 IO5.1* PERCENT CHANGE TO NOVEMBER 1955 *R0Mi ALL ITEMS October 1955 0.1 PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/ . . . « November 195U 0.1 0.3 13.0 93.6 - 1.6 - 1.2 9.3 133.1 1.1 0 - 3.8 0.3 0.5 - 0.7 - 2.0 - 0.1 • 6.2 1.2 - 1.1 - 0.9 - 1.7 0.6 - 6.2 1.1 - 0.5 - 0.5 7.7 20.6 - 8.5 16.8 6.3 20.2 129.7 116.6 133.U 116.5 135.U 133.7 0.1 o.U 1.2 15.3 58.9 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.2 0.9 0.6 1.3 2.6 2.0 - 0.9 2.3 20.U 8.6 17.8 7.3 21.0 51.2 6.3 12U.6 95.7 76.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 8.5 99.1; 0 - 0.2 0.7 0 0.2 - 0.2 0.9 0 - 0.5 8.1 - 0.2 1.9 - 0.2 6.U 16.7 2.9 9, ¥ 1.5 0.9 o.U 2.6 1.2 0.8 0.1 0 0.7 2.9 3.3 0 o.5 16.9 23.1 18.U U.2 16.3 86.5 78.8 97.1 69.5 70.8 - TRANSPORTATION 1955 0.9 - Cereals and bakery products . . September 0.1 0 1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. 3./ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). k/ Not available. k TABLE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES (1935-39 = 100) ( 1 9 ^ 7 - ^ 9 ^ 1 0 0 ) City November 1955 October 1955 November 195U June 1950 Year 1939 November 1955 1/ U.S. CITY AVERAGE 115.0 llii.9 11U.6 101.8 119.1 119.0 116.5 116.3 112. k 115.3 117.6 116.9 115.0 112.7 115.9 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 192.3 CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: Detroit 116.8 116.3 112.5 115.0 New York August November 1955 CITIES HIICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/ 116.2 116.7 110.9 117 mk 113.7 CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 2/ October 1955 Atlanta l/ 2/ 3/ 5/ 116.0 115.5 111.5 116.6 113.8 115.3 116.7 112.3 115.7 113.5 100.1; 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 October 19*11 April 19*0 113.5 115.7 116.9 llli.3 115.2 101.2 101.14 3/102.1 99.9 September 19*li June 1950 113.8 115.9 117.5 11U.0 111.7 September 1955 . November 195U July 1955 m . 5 116.2 116.1* 113.8 116.2 CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/ 1955 June 195S 117.2 115.5 113.7 116.5 115.6 116.0 115.0 113.7 115.9 115.3 116.3 115.2 lllu3 115.7 116.2 58.6 59.0 60.U 60.1 59.2 202.8 197.2 19U.3 186.2 191. h May 1950 November 1955 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.U 198.0 197.6 18U.3 200.6 186.7 October 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 101.5 181.3 187.1 192.8 193.5 201.3 September 19** U/101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 198.8 198.5 191.5 58.3 57.9 58.1 59.3 58.6 19k.h 197.6 These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100. Foods, fuels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly, June 19503 formerly priced March, June, September, December. May 1950j formerly priced February, May, August, November. TABLE 3. City U.S. CITY AVERAGE Chicago • • • • . . . . Detroit . . . Los Angeles • • • • • • New York Philadelphia CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM OCTOBER 1955 TO NOVEMBER 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups All Items Food Housing Apparel - 0.9 0.1 0.1 0,1 - 1.2 0.3 0 - 0.7 - 0.9 0.2 0.2 - 0.3 0.7 0.3 - O.I4 0.2 - 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 - 0.3 - 0.5 - 1.2 0.1 Transportation Medical Care Personal Care Reading and Recreation Other Goods & Services 0 1.5 0.9 O.I4 0.1 0.7 l*.o 3.5 0 0 0 0.2 - 0.2 0.1 - 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 2.0 2.2 2.6 2.8 - 0.3 O.li 0.3 - 0.2 - 0.3 0 0 - 0.1 5 TABLE k. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS November 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, August 1955 to November 1955 U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in November 1955 Group U.S. CleveLos CITY Detroit Houston Angeles AVERAGE Chicago land New York PhilaWashingdelphia Scrantor Seattle ton. D.C November 1955 Indexes (19U7-U9 - 100) ALL ITEMS Food at home Cereals and "bakery products Dairy products Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . . . Household operation . . . READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 115.0 119.1 116.2 116.8 116.7 116.3 112.5 115.0 110.9 117.U 113.7 109.8 107.8 107.U 111.9 108.1 lll.U 109.9 lll.U 106.0 110.9 109.9 108.2 123.9 97.1 107.8 109.0 113.1 105.9 119.0 91.8 105.5 109.0 119.3 105.6 119.1 106.9 117.8 95.0 109.7 110.8 110.2 108.3 127.9 97.6 102.9 111.7 111.1 108.U 110.1 128.7 99.5 107.3 10U.1 11U.6 122.8 98.6 112.8 116.5 110.U 119.1 96.0 105.5 122.1 115.5 113.6 105.1 118.8 9U.2 107.5 100.0 111.2 109.9 127.U 99.5 109.9 113.1 110.1 107.8 121.7 9U.2 112.8 105.7 113.5 120.9 132.3 123.3 122.8 12U.5 126.9 116.5 11U.1 116.0 121.9 116.U 130.9 111.5 126.7 10U.5 120.5 110.3 131.3 107.9 12U.1 109.1 126*1 ioi.U llU.U 11U.2 121.U 108.3 11U.0 106.7 139.8 116.2 102.2 127.8 10U.6 125.1 109.8 126.6 10U.6 119.5 101.8 122.1 105.8 117.2 125.0 119.1 132.2 98.7 109.7 88.8 131.8 103.8 115.3 123.7 122.7 133.5 100.6 122.9 101.7 108.8 IOU.U 101.6 106.7 10U.2 10U.2 106.0 105.7 107.1 102.1 106.0 99.3 119.2 91.0 112.U 101.2 12U.6 95.2 107.7 97.3 118.8 92.8 107.3 93.0 11U.U 86.9 103.5 101.5 130.7 90.6 107.9 97.0 121.1 82.7 105.9 98.U 118.3 9U.2 103.2 105.5 113.0 92.U 107.7 99.8 123.0 91.0 109.3 101.2 12U.0 87.3 105.1 95.6 117.9 90.5 128.5 129.8 117.5 106.8 120.6 133.3 133.9 121.9 11U.6 117.6 12U.U 138.1 121.6 11U.8 119.9 125.0 137.3 126.U 108.8 12U.0 126.2 127.U 128.2 127.2 12U.5 118.2 96.3 116.2 131.1 126.5 111.0 10U.U 121.1 135.5 135.5 117.0 111.8 125.0 126.0 120.7 121.6 120.7 116.U 129.8 139.2 118.8 109.9 128.3 131.U 122.6 116.6 105.8 130.1 - 0.1 93.5 10U.5 103.3 110.1 122.3 Percent Change — FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . Food at home • • • • . . . . . . . • « Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home • • • • • • • • • o.U 0.5 0.2 - 1.3 - 2.U - 2.0 - - 1.6 - 0.2 - 5.6 2.0 - 2.1 o.U - - 2.3 - 0.3 - 6.6 2.3 - U.8 0.7 0.8 Gas and electricity • . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings • . • • Women's and girls' • • • TRANSPORTATION READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . l/ Change from May 1955 to November 1955* 0.3 0.6 2.3 1.3 0.8 2.8 0.5 5.U 3.7 U.6 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.7 0.5 - 0.7 - 0.5 0.7 l.U - 1.8 0.6 - 1.3 - 2.U - 2.8 - 1.2 - - 1.5 - 0.5 - 1.9 - 0.3 - 6.8 0.1 - 1.9 1.6 0.7 - 0.1 - U.U 0 - 1.8 - 0.2 - 2.7 - 0.2 - 6.6 3.8 - 6.3 - 3.U - 1.5 - 0.2 - U.U 1.6 l.U - 0.2 0.1 1/0. U 0 2^5 0.6 0.6 o.U - 5.5 - 0.2 0.2 0.8 o.U 0.3 0 1.3 - 7.2 2.3 - 7.6 - 1.9 - 1.0 1.5 0.7 0.3 - 0.3 1/Uh - 0.2 5.6 1.5 2.6 0 0.6 0.1 0.7 1/0.2 - 0.3 1.1 - 1.0 1.5 0.6 3.0 1.6 - 0.7 o.U 0.5 1.5 - o.U 1.3 0 5.8 1.1 1.7 - 0.9 0.9 0.1 1.3 0.1 3.2 o.U 3.6 0.6 0.8 0.5 - 1.8 1.3 - 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.5 0.1 0.2 2.2 0.2 3.6 3.5 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.5 3.9 1.8 7.0 1.3 2.9 3.7 0.2 3.U 0.2 1.7 0.7 0.1 - 2.0 0.3 - 0.3 - 1.2 1.2 - 0.2 1.8 0.8 2.9 5.9 0.8 1.9 0.1 1.3 3.0 1.0 - 0.2 0.9 0.5 2.0 1.U 0.6 1.6 U.7 2.3 1.7 - 0.3 1.9 1.7 O.U 0.3 2.5 l.U 1.5 0.5 0.2 2.1 U.2 1.8 0.7 - o.U U.l 1.0 0.2 0.3 5.1 2.1 - 0.8 - 2.1 - 0.9 - 2.1 - 0.2 - 6.3 3.1 - U.3 0 - 0.5 - 0.3 5.8 - 0.7 - 0.2 5.U 2.2 1.8 0.5 0.5 8.8 1.8 - 1.6 0.5 0 3.0 0.9 0.2 - August 1955 to November 1955 0.3 0.2 1.8 2.0 0 - 110.U - 1.1 - - - 0.1 0.5 - 0.1 0.1 1.1 - 0.9 1.5 0.2 1.1 0 1.8 3.5 U.7 - 0.2 0 6 TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS November 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, October 1955 to November 1955 U. 3, City Average and 20 Large Cities (19^7-^9 =*100) Total Total Food City Index U.S. CITY AVERAGE Atlanta • . Baltimore • Boston . . Chicago . . Cincinnati Cleveland • Detroit • • Houston • • Kansas City Los Angeles • • . • . • . • • . , • , • • 109*8 - 0.9 108.2 - 1.1 123.9 - 1.8 1.0 106.2 - 2.1 116.2 108 .U 109.2 • 1107.8 - 0.6 107.1 - 1.3 0.8 121.6 122.2 - 1.2 1.6 105.9 109.0 105.6 110.U - 1.2 1.8 2.2 119.0 - 0.7 1.1 119.1 117.8 |1 1 0 . 3 • 110.3 107 . U 111.9 . i 108.1 • Minneapolis • New York . . Philadelphia • . Pittsburgh . • • Portland, Ore. St. Louis . • San Francisco Scranton • • Seattle . . • # Washington, D«,C. . - 1.9 - 0.7 1.2 106.9 .! - 1.5 0.9 108.3 - 1.8 1.0 111.6 •, • l•l l . U • - 0.6 110.6 - 0.8 109.9 - 0.5 1.2 108 .U 110.1 - 0.7 - 1.3 - 1.2 108.9 109.6 - 1.3 0.7 1.14 1.0 - 1.8 105.5 • Percent Change io8a • # • Food at Home Percent Index Change lll.U • 109.8 • • 103.1* 111.2 - 0.6 111.5 111.9 106.0 - 1.2 0.7 108.9 110.7 - l.U 105.1 110.9 - 0.6 109.9 - 1.3 - 109.9 107.8 - TABLE 6. 0.9 1.6 CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS: (Cents) Flour, wheat 5 lb. 53 .U Biscuit mix 20 oz. 27.1 Corn meal 12.6 lb. Rice lb. 17.5 Rolled oats 20 oz. 19.3 Corn flakes 22.0 12 oz. Bread, white 17.8 lb. Soda crackers lb. 26.9 Vanilla cookies 7 oz. 23.7 MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH: lb. 88.1 Round steak lb. U8.6 Chuck roast lb. Rib roast 68.7 lb. 39.0 Hamburger lb. 109.0 Veal cutlets lb. Pork chops, center cut 73.2 lb. Bacon, sliced 60.9 lb. 56.9 Ham, whole lb. 67.2 Lamb, leg Frankfurters lb. 52.9 12 oz. Luncheon meat, canned U2.U lb. Frying chickens, dressed 1/ lb. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook 51.2 lb. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen U2.U lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen U5.5 16 oz. Salmon, pink, canned 58.U oz. 35.3 Tuna fish, canned DAIRY PRODUCTS: qt. Milk, fresh, (grocery) 22.U qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) 23.9 pt. 28.8 Ice cream lb. 71.0 Butter lb. 57.8 Cheese, American process Milk, evaporated i* h oz. can 13.7 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Frozen Strawberries 30.7 10 oz. 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 18.9 1C oz. 21. U Peas, green 10 oz. 23.8 Beans, green Fresh lb. 12.2 Apples lb. 16.9 Bananas doz. 53.6 Oranges, size 200 lb. 18.0 Lemons 6-6-g * Priced only in season 1/ Discontinued y Formerly 7/8 oa. 123.3 119.1 120.5 Dairy Products Percent Index Change Fruits & Vegetables Percent Index Change 0 97.1 - 3.8 107.8 0.3 109.0 0,3 0.1 99.1 97.2 - 5.9 108.2 0 U.o 108.9 - 107.1 109.0 0.1 - 3.0 11U.1 - 0.1 0.2 0.6 95.2 91.8 96.8 - 3.7 5.0 105.5 109.8 - 0.2 - 0.1 93.5 96.0 - 5.5 3.8 U.6 10U.5 - - - 0 - 127.9 125.5 128.7 122.8 Meats, Poultry & Fish Percent Index Change 0.2 0.1 - 0.3 0 - 0.2 0 125.0 95.0 9U.2 - 127.1* - o.U 121.7 - 0.3 99.5 9U.2 - 119.3 117.8 - 0.3 0.8 116.5 115.5 110.2 106.1 - 0.6 - 1.2 - 2.1 - 0.6 2.6 0.3 111.1 2.7 110.6 0.3 117.3 1.8 - - 2.U 121.il o.U 10U.1 - 3.6 5.0 1.3 113.6 109.3 108.5 100.6 - 0.1 o.U - 0.1 0.1 - O.U 110.U 105.8 0.3 3.1 11U.6 - 107.3 112.8 1.1 0.8 2.3 3.9 122.5 112.7 - 0.2 0.T - o.U 2.2 1.2 2.0 121.U 109.9 111.2 110.1 - o.U 3.0 113.5 - 0.3 99.5 98.6 0.3 130.7 118.8 107.9 3.7 - 99.5 95.8 102.8 0.9 o.U 10U.2 93.8 0.1 0.1 10U.7 109.0 109.3 103.3 122.1 110.8 0.7 o.5 0 111.7 U.o 0.2 105.9 113.0 107.3 102.9 5.8 - 12U.1 113.1 3.5 0.5 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 90.5 97.6 119.1 0.7 0.6 0.2 0 - o.5 - 3.5 1.1 1.2 - 9U.U 105.5 109.7 0.2 Other Foods at Home Percent Index Change - 3.0 5.1 2.7 U.8 2.8 107.5 109.9 3.0 112.8 105.U 1.7 - 0.1 - 111.5 117.5 115.2 100.0 113.1 105.7 - - 0.9 0.2 2.7 o.5 - 2.5 2.8 RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR NOVEMBER 1955 AND OCTOBER 1955 U.S. City Average November 1955 Food and Unit Cereals & Bakery Products Percent Index Change October 1955 (Cents) 53.U 27.1 12.6 17.6 19.2 22.0 17.8 27.0 23.7 90.5 U9.3 69.6 39.3 110.1 81.0 66.5 59.8 68.1 53.2 U2.5 53.3 U2.2 U5.6 58.1 35.U 22.3 23.8 28.9 71.2 57.7 13.7 30.5 18.9 21.3 2U.0 12.3 17.1 60.7 17.5 November 1955 Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * Peaches * Strawberries * Grapes, seedless * Watermelons * Potatoes Sweetpotatoes Onions Carrots Lettuce Celery Cabbage Tomatoes Beans, green Canned Orange juice Peaches Pineapple Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style Peas, green Tomatoes Baby foods Dried Prunes Beans OTHER FOODS AT HOME: Vegetable soup Beans with pork Pickles, sweet Catsup, tomato Coffee Tea bags Cola drink, carton Shortening, hydrogenated Margarine, colored Lard Salad dressing Peanut butter Sugar Corn syrup Grape jelly Chocolate bar 2/ Eggs, Grade A, large Gelatin, flavored each lb. (Cents) 10.6 pt. October 1955 (Cents) 13.6 15.u U7.1 10.9 8.2 1U.9 15.0 1U.8 8.0 27.8 21.U UU.7 10.9 8.0 15.1 15.0 15.8 7.6 22.3 20.3 35.U 3U.9 33.3 26.6 17.6 21.6 15.2 9.7 35.0 3U.9 33.2 26.7 17.2 21.5 15.1 9.7 lb. lb. 3U.9 17.U 3U.6 17.7 11 oz. can 1U.1 1U.8 27.3 22.9 93.0 2U.2 32.U 88.9 28.8 19.9 35.2 55.2 52.3 23.7 26.2 U.7 66. U 8.6 1U.1 15.0 27.2 22.7 92.3 2U.2 lb. lb. 10 lb. lb. lb. lb. head lb. lb. lb. lb. 46 oz. can #2 i can #2 can #303 can #303 can #303 can 4 #303 can oz. i-5 16 oz. can 7 oz. 14 »z. lb. pkg. of 16 h 36 oz. 3 lb. lb. lb. pt. lb 5 lb. 24 oz. 12 oz. 1 oz. doz. 3-4 oz. 32 . u 88.8 28.9 20.0 35.3 55.6 52.0 23.7 26.3 U.8 68.2 8.5 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 every 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, 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 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 shows 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*1-0 - "The Consumer Price Index - A Laymanfs Guide," 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 upqn request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25> D. C. Historical series of iildex 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 services from 19^7 to date6 The 1955 Directory of Labor Unions in the United States A new BL.S Bulletin presenting comprehensive information on the structure and membership of the labor movement and on recent union developments is now available. The following information is shown for all national and international unions, and m a j o r federations: • Name, headquarters address, phone number * Elected officials • Key staff members • Convention dates • Number of locals * Total membership • Members outside the United States • Women members A supplement will be available soon after the m e r g e r of the A F L and CIO to record official changes. Order your copy as B L S Bulletin No. order to: 1185 and send check or money The Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C . or Bureau of L a b o r Statistics Regional Offices located at: 18 Oliver Street, Boston, M a s s . 341 Ninth Avenue, New York, N. Y105 West Adams Street, Chicago, 111. 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, Calif. Price, 45 cents a copy (25 percent discount on orders of 100 copies or more) (For your convenience, an order f o r m is provided on the r e v e r s e s i d e . ) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ORDER FORM To: I \ Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C. Bureau of Labor Statistics Regional Offices located at: 18 Oliver Street, Boston, Mass. 341 Ninth Avenue, New York, N. Y. (Room 1025) 105 West Adams Street, Chicago, III. _J 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco, Calif. Enclosed find for. . . copies of BLS Bulletin No. 1185, The Directory of National and International Unions, in the United States. Name Organization Street Address City, Zone, and State
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