Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1956

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Released December 21, 1956
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D . C .
CONSUMER FRIGE INDEX FCR NOVEMBER 1956
The Consumer Price Index for United States cities increased 0.1
percent between October and November 1956 to reach a new high
at 117#8 percent of the
1
1947-49 average, according to the U . S . Department of Labor s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Seasonal reductions in food prices were offset by further advances in all other major
groups of goods and services* The November index was 2*4 percent above a year ago.
FOOD

The decline of 0.2 percent in the food index reflected seasonal
changes in prices of major food groups* The food index for
November was 112.9 (1947-49=100), 2*8 percent higher than a year ago, but 3*2 percent
below the August 1952 peak*

Prices of all cuts of pork, beef, and veal decreased seasonally
during the month, with reductions of 6.7 percent for pork chops, 3#3 percent for round
steak, and 1.6 percent for bacon; poultry prices declined 2.1 percent. Prices of lamb,
frankfurters, and canned luncheon meat rose slightly.
Fruit and vegetable prices increased
Prices of lettuce rose 33*8 percent, tomatoes 26.3 percent,
8.6 percent. Orange prices dropped 13«8 percent as the new
able, but prices of other fresh fruits advanced. Prices of
fruits and vegetables declined moderately.

1*7 percent on the average.
and green beans and celery
Florida crop became availcanned, dried, and frozen

The dairy products index increase of 0.4 percent reflected
seasonal advances in prices of fresh milk and small price increases for butter and
ice cream. Egg prices decreased seasonally.
Cereals and bakery products rose 0.2 percent, with small
increases reported for most items in the group.
HOUSING

The rise of 0.2 percent in the housing index resulted from
increases in all its components except gas and electricity.
Residential rents advanced 0.3 percent. Solid fuels and fuel oil prices increased 1.1
percent on the average, advancing well above the record high levels of recent months.
Higher rates for dry cleaning and laundry services were mainly responsible for the
increase in the cost of household operation, although prices of laundry soaps and detergents also advanced. Housefurnishings prices increased 0.2 percent, as price advances
were reported for living room suites, dinette sets, wool rugs, mattresses, washing
machines, and household paper; prices of some appliances were lower.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

New automobile prices advanced an additional 1.8 percent following
the large price increase recorded in October. Higher prices for
1957 model cars,
reported for the first time by some dealers,
1
were offset in part by larger dealers discounts on 1957 cars offered in the second month
of the model year. Gasoline prices averaged lower during the month.




2

The reading and recreation index rose 0*5 percent, due chiefly
to higher rates for movie admissions and to price increases for television sets. Prices
of newspapers also advanced in a few cities.
Higher prices were recorded for toixetries and beauty shop
services. The medical care index reflected continued advances in fees for professional
services and for prescriptions and drugs•




TABLE 1 < Consumer* Pries Index — United States city average, til i t s u and conodity groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

3

Indexes (19l*7-**9«100)
Group

All items ---

November
1956

October
1956

September
1956

November
1955

June
1950

Year
1939

This
month

Last
month

2 months
ago

Last
year

Pre-Korea

Pre-World
War II

117.8

117.7

117.1

115.0

101.8

59.k

Food 1/
Food at home — — —
Cereal* and bakery products -Meats, poultry, and fish — —
Dairy products
Fruit* and vegetables — —
Other foods at home —
—

112.9
111.3
127.0
98.8
111.1
115.8
115.2

113.1
111.7
126.8
100.8
110.7
113.9
115.8

113.1
111.7
126.6
101.3
109.8
114.8
115.4

109.8
108.2
123.9
97.1
107.8
109.0
113.1

100.5
100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
9^.1

1*7.1
U7.1
57.2
1*1.6
1*9.8

Housing 2/
Rent

123.0
133.8
111.8
134.3
103.8
124.5

122.8
133.4
112.0
132.9
103.6
124.2

122.5
133.4

10^.9
108.7
102.7
107.6
97A
99.6

76.1
86.6

130.5
103.3
123.7

120.9
130.9
111.5
126.7
104.5
120.5

Apparel — — —
-—
—
Men'8 and boys'
— —
Women's and girls' — —
— —
Footwear
—
Other apparel
— — — — —

107.0
108.4
100,4
126.2
92.1

106.8
108.2

92.1

106.5
108.3
99.6
126.0
92.0

104.7
106.0
99.3
119.2
91.0

96.5
98.1
93.3
102.1
88.k

52.5
50.8
54.5
50.3
40.6

Transportation
Public
Private

133.2
173.4
123.5

132.6
173.0
122.9

128.6
173.0
118.7

128.5
167.8
119.1

109.9
117.9
106.6

70.2
81.3
65.5

134.5
121.4
109.0
123.2

134.1
120.8
108.5
123.0

13A.0
120.5
108.4
122.7

129.8
117.5
106.8
120.6

105.1*
99.2
102.5
103.7

72.6
59.6

—

—

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation —

—

— — — — — — — —
—

—

—

—

—

Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services 3 /

—
—
—

100.1

126.2

112.2

Percent change to November 1956
October
1956
All items
Food 1/
Food at home
—-——
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
—
Dairy products
—
Fruits and vegetables
—

-

—
—
—
—

— —
— — — — —
— —
— — — — — —

Gas and electricity
— — — — — — — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil —
—
—
—
—
Housefurnishings
— — — — — —
Household operation
— — — — — — — — — —

Public
Private

September
1956

101*. 9
56.1*
53A
68.1*

63.0
70.6

from:
June
1950

Year
1939

0.6

2.4

15.7

98.3

-

.2
.4
.2
- 2.0
.4
1.7
- .5

.2
.4
.3
- 2.5
1.2
.9
- .2

2.8
2.9
2.5
1.8
3.1
6.2
1.9

12.3
10.7
23.7
- 6.9
20.4
13.0
22.4

139.7
136.3
122.0
137.5
123.1
150.1
138.0

.2
.3
- .2
1.1
.2
.2

.4
.3
- .4
2.9
.5
.6

1.7
2.2
.3
6.0
- .7
3.3

17.3
23.1
8.9
24.8
6.6
25.0

61.6
54.5
6.6
138.1
94.4
82.0

.2
.2
.3
0
0

.5
.1
.8
.2
.1

2.2
2.3
1.1
5.9
1.2

10.9
10.5
7.6
23.6
4.2

103.8
113.4
84.2
150.9
126.8

.5
.2
.5

3.6
.2
4.0

3.7
3.3
3.7

21.2
47.1
15.9

89.7
113.3
88.5

.3
.5
.5
.2

.4
.7
.6
.4

3.6
3.3
2.1
2.2

27.6
22.4
6.3
18.8

85.3
103.7
73.0
74.5

0.1
-

l/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately,
1
j/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services * (such as
legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.).




November
1955

U6.3

1*8.1*

TABLE 2*

Consumer Price Index — All Items Indexes for selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49=100)

November
1956

City
United States city average

1/

October
1956

November
1955

June
1950

Year
1939

117.8

117.7

115.0

101.8

59.4

121.0
120.6
119.1
115.6
118.2

121.1
120.0
118.5
115.7
118.6

119.1
116.8
116.3
112.5
115.0

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

November
1955

May
1950

Year
1939

Cities priced monthly:
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

November
1956

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November 2/
Cleveland
Houston
Washington, D . C .
Cities priced in January, April,
July, October 2/
Boston
Kansas City
Portland, Ore g o n — — —

———————

—

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December 2/
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San F r a n c i s c o — ™

1/
£/
Jj
U
5/

—

August
1956

120.0
119.7
114.9
120.2
115.9

119.1
118.2
113.5
118.8
115.7

116.2
116.7
110.9
117.4
113.7

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

October
1956

July
1956

October
1955

April
1950

Year
1939

119.3
118.9
117.4
118.2
119.5

117.8
117.6
117.7
117.3
118.6

114.5
116.2
116.4
113.8
116.2

101.2
101.4
102.1
99.9
101.5

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

September
1956

June
1956

September
1955

June
1950

Year
1939

118.9
117.5
117.1
118.1
119.0

118.0
116.6
116.3
117.0
117.9

117.2
115.5
113.7
116.5
115.6

101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

U

5/

This index on the base of 1935-39=100 is 197.0.
Rents priced bimonthly.
Foods, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly; rente and other commodities atsc* services priced quarterly.
June 1950.
May 1950.

TABLE 3:

Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from October 1956 to November 1956
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and commodity groups

City

All
items

Food

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

Medical
care

United States city a v e r a g e —

0.1

- 0.2

0.2

0.2

0.5

0.3

.1

.U

ChicagoDetroitLos AngelesNew York
Philadelphia-




.1

-

.1

-

.5
.5
.3

.3
.7
.9
.3

- 1.0

0
.2

.3
.3

.8

.2
.1
.1
.3

-

1.3
.9
- .7
2.3

0

.1

0

Personal
care

Reading
and
recreation

0.5

0.5

.1
.4
.1

.1

0

.1

1.5

0

0
.1

Other
goods &
services

TABUS k: Consumer Price Index — All items and commodity groups
November 1956 indexes and percent changes, August 1956 to November 1956
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in November 1956
U.S.
CleveCity
Average Chicago land

Group

Detroit

Los
Houston Angeles

New
York

PhilaWashingdelphia Scrantor Seattle ton, D.C.

Indexes (19^7-^9-100)
All items
Food —
Food at home — — —
— —
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish — —
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
—Other foods at home —

Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings — —
Household operation

—
— — —

1

Men s and boys'
Women's and girls'
Other apparel

—

—

Public

117.8

121.0

120.0

120.6

119.7

119.1

115.6

118.2

iia.9

120.2

115.9

112.9
111.3
127.0
98.8
111.1
115.8
115.2

110.a
108.5
120.5
91.8
112.0
111.2
121.5

110.9
108.9
121.8
96.ii
108.2
107.6
119.1*

115.9
na.2
119.1
98.2
112.7
129.3
118.2

110.6
108.7
119.7
93.2
112.2
116.5
113.6

115.6
111.9
131.2
100.0
118.6
iia.2

113.3
111.7
131.1
103.2
109.5
111.2
n5.a

iia.8
113.0
130.6
99.9
na.6
115.9
115.2

110.3
109.6
12a. 7
97.5
108.5
111.9
113.8

115.1
113.8
136.3
98.8
116.2
119.7
na.o

110.7
123.0
96.9
, 115.9
110.6
115.8

123.0
133.8
111.8
131.3
103.8
12k. 5

132.2
158.2
113.8
137.5
101.7
129.9

126.2
153.2
Ilk. 9
133.9
101.1
116.3

126.9

127.7
138.5
106.5

128.5
Hi2.6
116.2

119.a

111.6
127.2
108.3
117.3

117.2
119.3
103. a
13a .a

119.3
125.8
120.1
136.a
102.0
112.3

12a. 7
139.9
86.6
13a. 0
103.0
127.5

107.0
108. h
100.1*
126.2
92.1

109.9
IU.6
100.1
130.5
96.0

107.7
111.8

110.6

12U.8
?ii.2

122.1

108.2
110.9
101.1
129.0
87.1

133.2
173.U
123.5

139.8
166.5
12S.li

130.8
169.6
122.2

130.2
iaa.3
127.1

138.5
12ii.2
115.5
119.7

U46.2
123.9
119.6
121.3

U43.8
128.9
109.7

13a. 5
121.a

Personal care — —

109.0
123.2

99.a

ioa.a
9a.3

87.7

12a. 8

105.5

—

—

103.7
132.2

110.8

ia2.9

ioa.o

103.9

107.0
98.2

107.3

117.a

12a. 7
123.1

U2.9
99.a

99.a
125.1

120.0
107.6
105.5
10a.5
122.0
9a.2

109.6
109.7
103.7
131.6
92.3

12a. 7

130.5
152.9
126.6

136.8
187.9
117.5

iao.6
186.7
120.3

135.7
190.0
121.9

133.a
178.0
121.9

135.2
15a.9
129.1

128.6
129.8
117.1
123.9

128.0
120.2
97.2
120.1

128.0
na.3
107.3
123.6

138.1
127.8
115.1
125.5

125.3
12a. 1
121.1
117.2

136.6
128.1
113.7
128.7

118.2

108.3
132.2

1.2

0.2

.2

- .8

110.1

128.1

12a. 7
106.2

107.3
ioa.5
135.8

111.5

107.5

128.0
8a.3

95.5

129.9

16a.2

91.6

125.6
103.7

107.3

96.5
121.5
91.0

128.1

1
Perc ent change from August 1956
0.8

0.9
Food at home
—
—
—
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home —

—
—
—
—

Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
— — — — —
Household operation — — — — — —

- .2
-

.14
.6

- 1.1

1.7
- a.i

1.1

.7
.5
- .3
3.7

1.2

.o

-

.5
.5

- .2

- 1.5
1.6
- 3.6
1.2
1/

.3
0
2.5
.9
i.a

Other apparel
Public
Private

3-7
.3
h.l
.9
.9
1.0
.9

Medical care

—

Other goods and services

1/
2/

—
— — — —

.3
.1
.8
.1
1.8
- 2.6
.8

.9
.8
0
5.7

-

.8
—

- .1
.2

- 1.7
2.7
1.2
.6

.8

.7

.5
1.5
0

.1
1.1

.2

1.0
.3

h.k
0
5.a

a.i
0
a.9

2.7
0
3.2

i.h
.3
.2
2.0

.5

.9
.1

Change from September 1956 to November 1956.
Change from May 1956 to November 1956.




.6
.9
.3

.8

.6
.a

.8

— — — — — —

0.8

- .8
3.7
- 8.0

.8

i.a
.6
2.3
1.1
.7

Men's and boys'

-

0.8

0

1.6

.2

.3

.8

1.1
.2

to

1.3

i.a

1.0

.a
.2
1.8
- i.a
2.8
- a.i
1.2

1.9
1.8
.1

.6

-

-

1.1
.a
.3

-

1.1

.6

.6
0

2/

1.6

i.a
.9

.5
a.9
1.3
1.2

1.9
.3
a.i
.1

1.5

2.0

i.a

.8

1.0

3.6
i.a

2.9
0
3.a

3.a
0
3.9

.5
.2
a.3
.6

2.2

.5

.5

.8
- .3
i.a

- .9
- 1.2
- 3.2
2.9
- 6.2
1.1
0
.8
0
7.6
.3
.1

.9

—

3.a
1.1

.1

5.6

i.a

1.2

2.a

2.a

2.5
0
3.3

.1

.1
0
.1

0
3.2

2.a

.H
1.8

1.2

0.3

—

—

2.0

-

.1

1.9
a.7
2.1

.7
.6
i.a
2.5
- 2.2

November 1956

-

.2

-

.2
.a

.2

- 2.2
3.1
- 5.2
2.5

-

- .a
- 1.6

2.8

- 2.6
-

1.2

.2

0
a.a
2.7
1.2

1.2
.5

.a
0
0
3.3
.3
0

-

.1

-

.a

.1
3.0
2.7

.0
.5
1.6
.a

.5
3.5

5.8

0
6.7

i.a
0

-

- 2.5

2.7
1.0
a.3
i.a
i.a

2.0
.3

.1

- 1.2
.a
.2
.5
- 8.2
1.3

-

-

.2
- .3
- .3
3.8

0
3.9

0
a.6

.a

.2
.7

3.5
3.3
.3

1.1

.8

TABUS 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
November 1956 Indexes and percent changes, October 1956 to November 1956
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

(J.9VM9-10CT]

Total
food at home

T otal food
City

Percent
change

Index

U . S . city average

—

Atlanta
Boston
— — — — —
Chicago
—
—
—
Cincinnati
Cleveland
— — —
Detroit
—
Houston

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis

•

—

—

—

Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

—

Index

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Percent
change

Index

Dairy
products

Percent
change

111.3

- 0.1*

127.0

0.2

98.8

- 2.0

111.1

- 1.2
- .2
- 1.1
.3
.2
.7
.7
.3
- .1*
.9
.3
.3
- 1.0
.2
.2
.3
.1
.2
.5
.8

108.9
111.2
109.3
108.5
112.7
108.9
111*.2
108.7
107. i*
111.9

- l.l*
.2
- l.u
.3
- .2
- 1.1
.5
0
.1
.9

117.9
126.9
121.1
120.5
12U.7
121.8
119.1
119.7
123.8
131.2

.1
i*.o
.3
.1
.1
.1
.7
.3
.2
.3

99.5
99.1*
97.3
91.8
100.8
96.1*
98.2
93.2
91*. 1*
100.0

-

2.5
2.1
3.7
3.1
1.2
2.3
.8
2.5
3.1
1.0

112.1
109.9
116.3
112.0
111*.2
108.2
112 .-7
112.2
108.3
105.5

-

111.8
111.7
113.0
113.3
113.0
110.9
llh.6
109.6
113.8
110.7

-

128.9
131.1
130.6
125.1*
130.3
121.0
137.9
121*. 7
136.3
123.0

.3
.1*
.5
.1*
.2
.1
.1
.2
.2
0

91*.0
103.2
99.9
98.7
99.1
95.8
102.5
97.5
98.8
96.9

-

1.8
.8
2.3
l.l*
1.9
2.3
2.0
2.2
2.1
2.1*

108.6
109.5
111*.6
111.7
113.8
106.3
113.2
108.5
116.2
115.9

110.Ii
113.9
111.9
110. 1*
llli-U
110.9
115.9
110.6
109.5
115.6
112.9
113.3
llii.8
115.0
115.0
111*. 2
115.7
110.3
115.1
112.8

-

Index

Percent
change

Other
foods at home
Index

Cereals and bakery products;
Flour., wheat
— — — — — —
lb.
Biscuit mix —
—
j oz.
Corn meal
— — — — — — — lb.
lb.
Rice
Rolled oats — — — —
1 oz.
Corn flakes
— — : oz.
lb.
Bread, white
Soda crackers
— — — — — — lb. !
oz.
Vanilla cookies —
Meats, poultry, and fish:
lb.
Round steak — — — — —
Chuck roast
— lb.
Rib roast
— — — — — — lb.
Hamburger
—
— lb.
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb.
Pork chops, center cut
— — —
lb.
Bacon, sliced — — — — — — —
lb.
Ham, whole — — — — — —
lb.
Lamb, leg — — — —
lb.
Frankfurters
— —
—
oz.
Luncheon meat, canned
—
Frying chickens, ready-to«*cook — lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen - — - lb.
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
Salmon, pink, canned — — —
] oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — —
6 to < oz.
Dairy products:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery) —
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream - — — - - — - — Butter
—
—
—
—
—
—
— lb.
Cheese, American process
— — — lb.
Milk, evaporated — — —
14£-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — 6 oz.
Peas, green — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — —
10 oz.
Fresh:
Apples
— — — — — — — — — lb.
lb.
Bananas — — — — —
Oranges, size 200 —
— <ioz.
Lemons
— — — — — — — lb.

Nov.
1956

Oct.
1956

Cents
53.3
26.8
12.6
17.2
19.1*
22.2
18.3
27.9
21*.2

Cents
53.1
26.7
12.6
17.2
19.3
22.0
18.3
27.7
21*.2

115.8

1.7

115.2

- 0.5

.2
1.7
.5
.1
.6
.5
2.6
.3
0

115.9
113.1*
111.6
111*. 2
112.9
107.6
129.3
116.5
113.6
118.6

- 2.8
.1
.1
I*.2
1.7
- 2.2
I1.6
1.8
2.3
6.1

107.6
115.2

- .5
- .8
- 2.8
.9
.5
- .5
- .2
0
.1
- .2

- 1.8
1.1*
.3
.1*
.2
0
.7
.1*
.2
.1

121.6
111.2
115.9
113.2
115.5
120.6
120.0
111.9
119.7
110.6

3.1*
- 1.9
- 1.1
3.3
3.5
3.5
1.9
1.1*
1*.9
- 2.1

107.0

121.5
121.7
119.1*
118.2
113.6
108.1*
111*. 2
123.2
115.1*
115.2
12)*. 7
117.0
123.1
lll*.0

113.8
lll*.0

115.8

93.5
53.1*
75.8
39.5
112.3
79.3
60.6
59.1*
70.1*
52.2
1*1.5
1*1*.9
1*2.3
1*5.1
61.7
31.6

96.6
51*.5
77.0
1*0.0
112.8
81*.9
61.7
59.8
69.7
52.2
1*1.1
1*6.0
1*2.2
1*5.0
61.1*
31.8

23.3
21*.8
29.1
71*.5
57.2
11*.3

23.2
21*.7
29.0
n.k
57.2
11*.3

28.7
19.5
20.3
22.7

29.0
19.8
20.1*
23.3

13.14
17.1*
59.9
20.1*

13.2
17.1
69.5
20.1

Nov.
1956

C ontinued

Grapefruit * —

Peaches *

each

— —

lb.

Strawberries * — — — — — — — pt.
Grapes, seedless * —
—
lb. 22.7
Watermelons * — — — — — ib.
Potatoes — •
io ib. 52.7
Sweetpot*toes
ib. 11.8
Onions
•
ib.
7.1
Carrots — — — — - — — ib. 13.8
Lettuce — — — — — — head 21* .0
Celery
———
ib. 13.1*
6.7
Cabbage
ib.
Tomatoes — — — — — — —
ib. 2 6 . 5
Beans, green — — — — — —
ib. 23.1*
Canned:
Orange juice —
Peaches
Pineapple — —

—
—

—
—

—
—

39.5
31.5
33.8

46-oz. can
#24 can
#2 can

F r u i t COCktail —

#303 can

26.1

Corn, cream style — — — —
Pea8, green — — — — —

#303 can
#303 can

17.7

Tomatoes — — —

#303 can

Baby foods - —
Dried:
Prunes
Beans — — — —
Other foods at home:
T o m a t o SOUp

change

.1

Food and unit
Fre sh

Percent

0.1*

Consumer Price Index - Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S city average

Food and unit

• Priced only in season.

-

.3
.1*
l.l
.2
.2
.1*
.2
.3
.2
1.2

-

Fruits and
vegetables

Percent
change

Index

112.9 - 0.2

TABUS 6:




Percent
change

Index

Cereals and
bakery products

21.1*

15.2
10.0

4& to 5 oz.
— —

35.0
16.2

ib.
.

lb

12.2
lb. 5
26.9

10£ to ll-oz. can

Beans with pork
—
ie-oz. can
Pickles, sweet
7h oz.
Catsup, tomato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee
— - — — — lb. oan
Tea bags — — — — —
pkg. of ia
Cola drink, carton — — — — —
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated
3 ib.
Margarine, colored —
—
—
ib.

23.2
109.3

Salad dressing —
—
—
—
.
pt
Peanut butter — — — — — — — ib.
Sugar — — — — — — — —
5 ib.
Corn syrup —
—
—
—
—
24 oz.
Grape Jelly — — — — —
12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — —
1 0 z.
Eggs, Grade A, large — — — — — doz.
Gelatin, flavored —
—
3 to 4 oz.
Labor - D . C .

23.2
33.0
97.1
29.2

20.8

35.8
53.6
53.3
21*. 2
27.1

U.5

61.2

8.6
BLS 57-1775

.6
- .7
- 1.1
.6
- 1.3
- 1.0
.3
.2
- 1.7
- .1*

7
Brtef W w a t t w

9f the gfI

The Consumer Price Index (CFI) measures the average changes in prices of goods
and services typically 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 which wage-earner
and clerical-worker families patronize.
Prices of foods, 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 1 months 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-sized and small cities:
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

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.
w

A descriptionf of the index
is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, The Consumer
w
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
Statistical Series." Reprints of chapter 9, pertaining to the CPI, axe 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 1947 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
50 Seventh St., M
23




New York
341 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
63O Sansome St.
Zone 11

LABOR - D . C.

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10




A/ow

able

REPORTS ON THE OLDER WORKER STUDIES OF THE
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR

These r e p o r t s coyer the r e s u l t s of an e x t e n s i v e program of f a c t
f i n d i n g and demonstration p r o j e c t s conducted on a coordinated b a s i s
by the U. S. Department of L a b o r ' s Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s ,
the
Bureau of Employment S e c u r i t y , and the Women's Bureau. They cover
the f o l l o w i n g :




J o b Performance and Age:

A Study in Measurement, BLS Bulletin

No. 1203—describes the methodology and results of studies of
comparative performance of workers by age groups in the men's
garment and shoe industries.

Older Workers Under C o l l e c t i v e B a r g a i n i n g :

Part I.

Hiring,

Rentention, Job Termination, BLS Bulletin No. 1199-1—describes
significant provisions affecting the hiring, retention, and
termination of older workers in 1,687 collective bargaining
agreements covering 7.5 million American workers.

Part I I .

Health, Insurance,

and Pension P l a n s , BLS Bulletin

No. 1199-2—describes significant provisions affecting the employment and retirement of older workers in a representative
sample of collectively bargained health, insurance, and pension
plans.
Pension Costs i n R e l a t i o n to the H i r i n g of Older Workers,

BES

C o u n s e l i n g and P l a c e m e n t S e r v i c e s f o r O l d e r Workers,

BES

Bulletin No. E150—describes the findings of a select committee
of pension, insurance, and banking experts concerning the comparative costs of hiring older workers and the validity of the
argument that such costs make the hiring of new older workers
prohibitive.
Bulletin No. E152—describes the extent and effects of age restrictive hiring practices and the results achieved and methods
used in 7 demonstration offices in a successful effort to
increase job opportunities for older workers.
Older Worker Adjustment to Labor Market P r a c t i c e s : An A n a l y s i s
o f E x p e r i e n c e i n Seven Major Labor Markets, BES Bulletin No.

R151—describes detailed findings on the characteristics of
the older unemployed and the patterns of employment, unemployment, hires, and separations in seven major metropolitan labor
markets—Worcester, Philadelphia, Miami, Minneapolis-St.Paul,
Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle—during 1955 and 1956.

How to Conduct an E a r n i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s Forum i n Your Com-

munity, Women's Bureau Leaflet No. 2 5 — a how-to-do-it guide
based on experience derived from demonstration forums in
Baltimore and Boston.
For your convenience, an order form is
provided on the reverse side.

ORDER

To:

Superintendent of Documents
Washington 25, D. C.

Enclosed find $
I | cash for
I I

in •
copies of:

J o b P e r f o r m a n c e and Age:

No. 1203 - Price 45 cents
[ I

I 1

FORM

check, •

money order, or

A Study i n Measurement, B L S Bulletin

O l d e r Workers Under C o l l e c t i v e B a r g a i n i n g :

Part I,

Hiring,

O l d e r Workers Under C o l l e c t i v e B a r g a i n i n g :

Part I I .

Health,

Rentention, Job Termination, BLS Bulletin No. 1199-1 - Price
25 cents
In surance, and Pension P l a n s , BLS Bulletin No. 1199-2 - Price

25 cents

I |
I |
I I

P e n s i o n C o s t s i n R e l a t i o n to the H i r i n g o f O l d e r Workers,

BES

Bulletin No. El50 - Price 25 cents

Counseling and Placement S e r v i c e s f o r Older Workers, BES Bulletin

No. E152 - Price 50 cents

Older Worker Adjustment to Labor Market P r a c t i c e s :
An A n a l y s i s
o f E x p e r i e n c e i n Seven Major L a b o r M a r k e t s , B E S B u l l e t i n N o .

RI51 - Price $1.25
I |

How to Conduct an Earning O p p o r t u n i t i e s Forum in Your Community,

Women's Bureau Leaflet No. 25 - Price 15 cents




Name
Organization
Street Address
City, Zone, and State