Full text of CPI Detailed Report : October 1953

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Issued November 25, 1953
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.

EXECUTIVE 3-2^20
Moffatt - Ext. 532

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
OCTOBER 1953
ScmStufter Prices Continue Upward Between
September and October Despite Decreasing Food Prices

This report presents the Consumer Price Index for
October 1953 for the average of U.S. cities and for
individual cities. The measure of price change from
January 1953 forward is based on the revised index
structure. Information about the index revision is
given in the February 1953 Monthly Labor Review or
is available upon request.
The Consumer Price Index, representing retail prices of consumer goods and
services, rose 0.2 percent between September and October 1953/ according to the U.S.
Department of Labor1s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The changes in retail prices during
the past month reflect a continuation of the trend of previous months. Again, lower food
prices were more than offset by higher prices for other classes of goods and services.
Food prices declined 0.2 percent between September and October; Housing costs rose 0.3
percent; Apparel, 0.2 percent; Other Goods and Services, 1.0 percent; Reading and Recreation, 0.7 percent; Medical Care, 0.2 percent; and Personal Care, 0.3 percent. Transportation costs were unchanged on the average.
The index for all items for October 1953 vas 115.1* percent of the 19^7-^9
average, 1.1 percent higher than a year ago and 1 3 ^ percent above the level of June 1950*
Converted to a base of 1935-39 3 100, the October 1953 index was 192.9.
FOOD

An average decrease of 0.2 percent in retail food prices between September and
October brought the U.S. Food Index to II3.6 in October (19^7-^9 * 100). This
was 1.2 percent less than the October 1952 index, but 13-0 percent above that of June
1950. The Meats, Poultry and Fish index declined 2.1 percent during the month while all
other food subgroup indexes advanced 1 percent or less. Decreases in this group were
reported in all but one of the 46 cities. A drop of about
percent in pork prices and
nearly 2 percent in fresh chicken prices led this decline. This was the first sizable
break in retail pork prices this year and reflected larger supplies on the market. Prices
of beef and veal fell nearly 1 percent while lamb and other meats decreased slightly.
Fish prices were unchanged during the month. Retail food prices averaged lower in 31 of
the k6 cities surveyed, but, except in a few cities, the average change was small.
Prices of all Fruits and Vegetables combined were 1.0 percent higher with an
increase of more than 6| percent in fresh vegetable prices and a decrease in fresh fruit
prices of about 2| percent. Substantial increases were reported generally in prices of
lettuce and tomatoes while price changes for other fresh vegetables varied from city to
city, with some increasing and some decreasing. Apples, oranges, and lemons were lower
in price.




2

Egg prices, rising more than 2 percent during the month, accounted for much of
the 0.6 percent increase in the index of Other Foods at Home. The rise for eggs is somewhat less than seasonal. Most cities surveyed in Pacific Coast states as well as a few
places on the East Coast, however, reported lower egg prices.
Increases in milk prices in about one-fourth of the cities were mainly responsible for the rise of 0.5 percent for Dairy Products. Butter prices were also somewhat
higher. Prices of Cereals and Bakery Products were up 0.1 percent. Restaurant meal
prices increased 0.^ percent, on the average.
HOUSING

The rise of 0.3 percent in the Housing index between September and October was
due primarily to an increase of 0.6 percent for Rent. The October rent index
at 126.8 passed the previous peak reached in December 192^. Continuing to reflect the end
of Federal rent control, rent increases occurred in most cities but were most prevalent in
medium size cities. The substantial October 1 advance in rates for parcel post service
resulted in a rise of 0.5 percent for Household Operation. Prices of Solid Fuels and Fuel
Oil, which normally increase in the fall, were 0.9 percent higher than in September, and
bills for Gas and Electricity were up 0.1 percent. Housefurnishings prices averaged
unchanged during the month.
APPAREL

Prices of Apparel rose 0.2 percent, due chiefly to the continued effect of
introduction of fall and winter articles at higher prices than at the end of
last season, especially for women's and girls' wear. Prices of men's and boys1 clothing
also rose slightly. Prices of children's shoes were higher. Prices of other apparel
declined slightly.
OTHER
GROUPS

All other groups except Transportation increased. The rise of 1.0 percent in
the index for Other Goods and Services was chiefly due to generally higher
prices for beer, as higher wholesale costs were passed on to the consumer.
Cigarette prices advanced in a few cities.
Higher admission charges in motion picture theatres, mostly temporary increases
for "special" films, were a major factor in the 0.7 percent increase for Reading and Recreation. Prices also were higher for new model radios and television sets, and for television repair services.
Medical Care costs rose 0.2 percent, as further increases were reported for
professional services.
Despite price reductions for toilet soap and cleansing tissues, the Personal
Care index rose 0.3 percent as substantial increases for men's haircuts were reported for
two cities.
Transportation costs remained at the September level with continued decreases
in used car prices, but further advances in costs of automobile operation and maintenance.




TABLE 1.

3

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — U.S. AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates
October

GROUP

September
1953

August

1953

1953

October
1952

June
1950

This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES (P9V7-U9 , 100)
ALL ITEMS
FOOD

11=:. 4

2/

113.6

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

3/

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL

V

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE

I

|

115.0

114.2

101.8

59.4

113.8

114.1

115.0

100.5

47.1

113.5
120.3

115.0
117.5
116.9
113.2
111.3
115.1

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3

115.2

113.3
120.4
111.1
110.1
107.7
117.1*

113.5
109.6
106.6
116.7

114.1
119.5
114.1
109.1
112.7
114.4

113.7

118.4

118.0

115.2

104.9

126.8
107.0
125.7
108.1
116.6

126.0
106.9
124.6
108.1
116.0

125.1
106.9
123.9
107.4
115.8

118.8
105.0
121.1
107.9
112.8

IO8.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4

105.5

105.3

104.3

105.6

96.5

52.5

130.7

130.7

130.6

128.4

109.9

6/

122.8

122.6

121.8

118.9

105.4

y

113.2

112.9

112.7

112.3

99.2

108.6

107.8

107.6

107.6

102.5

119.7

118.5

118.4

115.8

103.7

1
!
PERSONAL CARE

j

READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

5/

y
y

6/

PERCENT CHANGE TO OCTOBER 1953 FROM:
September
1953
A L L ITEMS
FOOD

2/

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

3/

June
1950

Year
1939

0.2

0.3

1.1

13.4

94.3

- 0.2

- 0.4

- 1.2

13.0

141.2

- 0.2
0.1
- 2.1
0.5
1.0
0.6

- 0.7
0.8
- 2.6
0.9
- 4.4
2.6

- 1.5
2.5
- 5.0
- 2.7
- 3.2
2.0

12.7
17.2
4.7
19.3
5.1
24.8

140.6
110.5
167.1
121.1
132.6
142.6

1/

0.6

3.0

13.2

56.0

1/

1.4
0.1

6.7
1.9
3.8
0.2

16.7
4.2
16.8
11.0
17.1

46.4
2.0
122.9
102.4
70.5

1/

0.2

1.2

- 0.1

9.3

101.0

0

0.1

1.8

18.9

89.7

1/

MEDICAL CARE

0.2

0.8

3.3

16.5

69.1

1/

PERSONAL CARE

0.3

0.4

0.8

14.1

89.9

1/

READING AND RECREATION

0.7

0.9

0.9

6.0

72.4

1/

1.0

1.1

3.4

15.4

69.5

1/

4/

TRANSPORTATION

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

6/
7/

October
1952

0.3

APPAREL

4/
5/

1953

0.6
0.1
0.9
0
0.5

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

1/
2/
Zj

August

5/

1.5
0.7
0.7

3.^

See General Explanation at 6nd of tables.
Includes "Food away from home".
Includes "Other shelter"; estimates for rent, home purchase, and other home owner costs are reflected monthly in total
housing and all items.
Indexes for subgroups of apparel not yet available.
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial
services, etc.).
Not available.
Approximate.




4

TABLE 2.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities

( 1 9 1k

7 - k 9 •

10

0)

(1935-39 - 100)

fM
ui uy
October

U.S. AVERAGE

3/

August

September
1953

1953

October
1952

1953

June
1950

October
1953
2/

115.4

115.2

115.0

114,2

101.8

192.9

117.1
117.2
116.3
113.3
115.3

116.6
116.9
116.2
113.2
115.2

116.3
116.9
115.8
112.7
114.9

115.0
115.5
114.8
112.4
114.6

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

199.4
197.8
194.3
187.5
191.9

October

April
1950

October

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

CITIES PRICED IN JAN., APR.,
JULY, OCT.
4/

1952

Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

1

113.8
115.7
116.6
114.7
116.1

113.4
115.2
114.8 5/
113.4 ""
115.0

September
1952

CITIES PRICED IN MAR., JUNE,
SEPT., DEC.
4/
117.6
115.0

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

117.0 6/
115.0 ""
113.2

115.3
117.1
116.9

115.5
114.5

August
1952

CITIES PRICED IN FEB., MAY,
AUG., NOV.
k/
Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

114.0
115.8
114.0
114.6
114.1

115.1
116.8
113.2
116.8
114.2

1953

101.2
101.4
102.1 5/

183.2
186.3
193.1
195.0
201.1

99.9
101.5

June
1950

September
1953

101.3 6/
101.6 "
101.2
101.1
100.9

199.4
197.7
194.2
195.4
199.8

May
1950

August
1953

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

196.1
197.7
3,88.1
199.6
187.5

l/
2/
"3/

See General Explanation at end of tables.
These are the same indexes shown in columns 1, 2 or 3> converted to a base of 1935-39 • 100.
The U.S. Average is based on prices collected in 46 cities. In addition to the 20 cities listed individually, 26 cities
are included in the national average. Indexes are not calculated for these 26 cities.
4/ Foods, fuels, rents and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
"5/ September 1952 and June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
T>j August 1952 and May 1950s formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — PERCENT CHANGES FROM SEPTEMBER 1953 TO OCTOBER
U.S. Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

All
Items

City

Food
2/

U.S. AVERAGE
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

I|
j
1

j
j!
;
j
j

Housing
1/

Apparel

» 0.2

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.3
- 0.5
0
~ 0.4
0.1

0.2
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.1

0
0.4
- 0.1
0
0

I
See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end cf tables.




Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Reading
&
Recreation

y

0.2

0.3
0.1 ;!
0.1
0.1

Transportation

1953

0
- 0.3
- 0,3
0.1
0.1
0.4

Other
Goods &
Services
5/

0.2

0.3

0.7

1.0

1.0
0.1

- 0.5
- 0.3
0.1
0.5
- 0.7

0
2.3

3.5
0.8
0.2
1.7
0.1

0.5
0
0

!
|

0.5
0,7
0

TABLE 4. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
October 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, July 1953 to October 1953
U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in October

All
Items

City

Total
Food
1/

Total

Housing
Solid
Fuels
Gas &
Elec&
Fuel
triOil
city

Rent

3/

Housefurnishings

Household
Operation

TransApparel portation

y

5

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

ReadOther
ing & Goods &
Recre- Services
ation
5/

October 1953 Indexes (1947-49 , 100)
U.S. AVERAGE

115.4

113.6

118.7

Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

113.8
117.1
117.2
115.7
116.3
116.6

111.6
112.8
116.1
111.1
113.8
113. k
112.2
115.8
115.0
113.6

117.7
123.9
120.9
118.5
124.1

113.3
115.3
Ilk. 7
116.1

119.3
115.4
113. k
116.2
119.8

126.8

107.0

125.7

108.1

116.6

105.5

130.7

122.8

113.2

108.6

119.7

133.8
131.5

105.8
99.9
109.6
104.0

125.7
123.9
119.2
113.2

108.8
109.9
111.3
108.0
109.8
107.8
107.7
110.5
106.7
111.3

109.8
120.7
106.9
121.1
108.1
117.4
119.3
113.8
118.4

103.6
108.4
103.6

136.7
133.^
126.8
130.6
127.7
121.3
134.2
135.8
140.8
126.5

124.3
122.4
121.5
119.6
121.0
137.9
121.6
120.4
120.8
121.0

112.3
113.7
119.2
115.9
117.9
117.1
107.4
116.1
112.7
111.7

110.1
110.9
112.7
116.9
103.8
116.8
107.1
111.3
97.1
117.0

117.7
116.9
124.6
118.2
114.6
124.7
121.1
122.3
119.6
119.8

1.1

1.2

109.5
110.0
108.8
102.3
121.3

Ilk. 5

114.8
131.1*
121*. 3
121.8

IO5.2

127.3

Percent Change —
U.S. AVERAGE

0.6

- 0.2

0.8

Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

0.6
1.2

- 0.1
0.1
- 0.9
- 0.7
0.9
0.6

1.1
2.1+
1.0
0.7
0.1
1.1
0.6

0.3
0.3
0.4
0.9
1.1
0.5
0.8
0.5

0.3
0
0.2
- 0.3

2.4

6/ 5.1
y 5.*

1.0

1.6

0.5
- 0.1

2.3
1.6
0.6
0

0
0

o.k
6/ 4.5

0.7
0.5
0.7

0

o.k

July 1953 to October 1953

0.6

i.k
o.b

111.9

105.3
104.1
106.6
105.9
106.5
104.5
106.8

- 0.3
2.0
2.1
1.0
0.2

0
0.1+
- 0.4
0.3
0.3
- 1.2
- 0.1
- 0.2
0.5
0.1
0.2

0.8

1.1

0.8

1.1

0.5

0/5
0.3
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.9
0.4

0.2
1.6
0.4

0
- 0.7
- 0.5
0.1

0.6
1.0
0.1
0.2
0.7
0.4
0.9
0.1
- 0.4

0.4
- 0.3
0
- 0.1
0.2
0.1

- 0.3
0.5
2.1
1.4
2.6
1.4
2.8

- 0.3
- 0.5
4.4
0.7
0.1
- 0.1

1.3

0.7
- 0.1
6.2
- 0.1

1.0
0.5
2.8
6.8
1.3
0.5
1.4
0.5
2.2
2.3

3.5
0.8
0.2
0.8
1.1
1.9
0.2
0.6
1.1

1/ through 5 / , see footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
t / Change from April 1953 to October 1953-

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
October 1953 Indexes and Percent Changes, September 1953 to October 1953
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities

( I 9 V M 9 , 100)

Total Food
Percent
Index Change

Meats, Poultry
Cereals &
Total
Sc Fish
Food at Home
Bakery Products
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index Change
Index Change
Index Change

U.S. AVERAGE

113..6

113.• 3

Atlanta
BaItimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati

114.6
114.,0
111.6
112..8
116.,4

2/

P
ilt-i
y/0-i

Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

Ill,.5

-

_ 0.,1
_ 0.,6
-

-

0..3
0..3
0..4
0..2

116,,1

_ 0..5

112,,4
Ill,,1
113.,8

-

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

113..4
112,,2
115..8

St. Louis
San Francisco
00ranton
Heattie
Wh s hi n en, D. C.

115,.5
114..4
113..3
112,.0

-

111, S

-

foolr;': t ^

0,,2

115.,0
113.6

-

_
-

0,.2
0,.4
0

114.,6
113.,4
110..5
112.• 3
116,,4
ill..4
115.,2
112.• 3
110.• 9
112.,8

0..5
0..4
0,, 1
0,.6
0,,2

113.,2
112.,0
115.,4
114..9
113..5

0..2
0..3
0.,1
0,.5
0.,6

114..9
114.•3
113., 0

111. .e
111.0

- 0.,2

120,,4

0.,1
0.,8
0.,9
0..3
0..5

115..5
116..6
118.9
116..7
119-.4

-

_
-

0.,2
0.,9
0.• 3
- 0.,1
- 0.,1

-

-

-

0.• 5
0..5
0.,1
0..7
0.,4

_ 0..3
0.

0., d
«
-

0..6
0.• 7

116.• 9
118,.2
115'.0
120..2
122,.3

-

-

-

-

122,.3
125-,2
120,.9
119..3
117,.7
114,.9
127,.3
118,,4
122,.3
115-,0

-

-

110,.1

0..5

107.7

1..0

0. Q
- 2.
1..8

110.,2
111.,9

0,,1
0.,2
0.,6
0.• 3
0..1

114.9
108.2
100.8
107.8
110.8

- 0.,8
0..5
" 3.,1
2.,2
1.,1

111..2
115..1
110..1
125-,1
124.. 4

108.0

2..0

109..6

0.,2

104.7
114.1
108.7
105.4

1..9
- 0.,2
" 3-,1
1.
0.,3

120..2
119.,0
114.,6
114.,2

-

1.,1
0..3
0..2
0..3
0..4

117.• 9
113.,0
109.>3
106.• 3
114.,8

-

0,,1
0,.3
0..1
0.,2
0..2

110.6
110..9
107.>3

-

ill.,4

-

0..5
0.-3
0.. 1
0.,4
0.. 1
0..6
0..4

0.,1
0

103..9
110.-9

113.,1

108. ,6
114.,2

111..5
110. Q
111.,0
109..5
108..2

•'o loble I s.rv.i rjenor^: a o a r ; ' ^ loo 01 ond of tables.




2,,1

111.,1

1.
-

Fruits &
Vegetables
Percent
Index Change

0,,1

107..1

Other
Foods at Home
Percent
Index Change

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index Change

-

2.0
3-.0

_ 2..2
-

3-.3
0..5
1«,6
0..9

111..3

110.-5
112..0

1 1 0 . ,4
108.• 3
108..6

1..9
- 2..1
- 1..5
2..9
- 2.,6

106. .6
10 s.. 1
114.,0
1 1 2 . -3
109.,4

_ 2.,6

106.,2
110..0
112.,6
106., Q
114.,4

-

-

I.,1
1.- 5
1,.8
2..6

-

-

-

-

-

3-,2
0.,4
0.,1

103.5

0.,1
0..5
2..6
0.,2
0

115.6

o,, l
0.,1
0.,2

115.9
111.4
103.6
106.6
105.4

0
0., 2

103.6
111.3
110.7
104.5

4., 1
0.,6
0
1.8
1.
2, '7
3.,8
1.. 5
T r)

0. 9

117..4

117..7

12S.11

116., 1

1 1 6 .• 3
126.• 3
119., 4
125.,0
115..7
116..5
11>+.,6
113.,7

0.6
1.8
- 0.3
0.2

2.1
1.5
1.3

0.6

0.4
1.0

0.8
1.7

- 0.3
- 0.3
0
- 0.1

1.0
- 0.3
o, 0
- 0.7
- 0.1

6

GENERAL EXPLANATION

The Consumer Price Index (revised January 1953) measures the average change in
prices of goods and services purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families.
The goods and services included in the index "market basket" are those required to maintain the level of living characteristic of such families in 1952. The quantities and
qualities of the items in the "market basket" remain the same between consecutive pricing
periods, so that the index measures the effect of price change only on the cost of living
of these families.
The indexes are presented on a base of 19lt7-U9»100. The index numbers thus show
the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19l|7-U9 average, (For convenience
of users, these indexes are also shown on the base 1935-39" 100. Note that they are
calculated using the new sairples, items and weights). The city indexes do not indicate
whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Comparisons of city indexes
show only whether prices have risen more or less in one city than another since the base
period.
The Bureau has been compiling the Consumer Price Index for nearly UO years. At
four different times it has been necessary to bring the "market basket" of goods and services up to date and to modernize the sairples and methods of calculation. The indexes in
this report are revised as of January 1953* The "market basket" is based on extensive
surveys of postwar expenditure patterns of city families, and reflects changes that have
occurred since prewar in the amounts, kinds and qualities of things people buy, as well as
new things that were not part of our pattern of living a few years ago.
About 300 items are priced to estimate the average change in prices of all items
in the "market basket." Among these items are all the important goods and services that
wage and clerical workers buy. Prices are collected at regular intervals, and the successive prices are compared to determine price changes. The items priced are described
by detailed specifications to insure that as far as possible, the same quality is priced
each time, and that differences in reported prices are measures of price change only.
Prices are obtained in a sample of U6 cities representative of all cities in the U.S.,
including the 12 largest urban areas with populations over 1 million, 9 other large cities,
9 medium-sized cities, and 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by stores
of various kinds and by service establishments and individuals (such as physicians and
dentists) from whom wage and clerical workers buy goods and services.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced monthly in all cities.
Prices of most other goods and services are obtained on a regular rotating pricing cycle—
monthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 25 large and medium-sized cities, and
every k months in the 16 smallest cities. In any given month, goods and services other
than foods, fuels and rents are priced in 17 or 18 cities out of the U6. Price collection
extends over 3 or k weeks, centered on the 15th of the month. Prices for a few items
(e.g., auto insurance, railroad fares) are computed from published sources.
Food. Food prices are collected monthly from chain and representative independent
food stores in all 1*6 cities, during the first 3 days of the week which includes 'the l5th
of the month. Prices for restaurant meals are based on menus collected on the regular
pricing cycle for each city as described above.
Rent. Rents are obtained each month by mail from tenants of representative samples
of dwellings in each of the 1*6 cities, and once every 2 years "by personal visit, when
local samples of dwellings are als<? reviewed. The rent index measures changes in rent
from one period to another for the same rented dwellings, with the same facilities,
furnishings and services.
Other Shelter. Materials and services for house maintenance and repair are priced
on the regular city pricing cycle. Prices of houses,* fire insurance rates, mortgage
interest and taxes, which change only occasionally, are obtained annually or biennially,
and changes estimated between pricing dates. Sales prices of houses are obtained from
records of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.




7
Fuels, including Gas and Electricity. Prices prevailing on the lfjth of the month
are collected monthly by mail from fuel dealers and utility companies in U6 cities.
All Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and Rents. Prices are collected
in person, on the city cycle described above, from sairples of representative department
stores, apparel and shoe stores, housefurnishings and appliance dealers, barber shops,
beauty shops, doctors, hospitals, moving picture theaters, etc. Prices for such items as
newspapers, street car and bus fares, and telephone service are collected by mail. Prices
of used cars are obtained from car dealers through a trade association.
Price changes for all items in each city are combined in accordance with their
importance in the "market basket11 for that city to obtain an average price change for that
city. Price changes for the 1*6 cities are combined for the U.S. with the use of 1950 population data. Each city is given an importance or weight proportionate to the wage-earner
and clerical-worker population it represents in the index. The 12 largest cities, each
weighted by its own population, when combined have about two-fifths of the total weight in
the national index. Each of the 3 other city-size groups has about one-fifth of the total
weight; i.e., the 9 other large cities, the 9 medium-sized cities, and the 16 small cities.
City indexes are compiled for the 20 largest of the 1+6 cities priced for the national average. The remaining 26 cities in which prices are collected are:
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

The present index, as described above, has been linked (spliced) to the "interim
adjusted" Consumer Price Index for 3k cities, issued through December 1952, to form a
continuous series back to 1913. 1/
For detailed descriptions of the Consumer Price Index, its uses and limitations,
see the following:
"The Consumer Price Index," A Short Description of the Index as Revised, 1953»
"The Revised Consumers1 Price Index—A Summary of Changes in the Index and
Suggestions for Transition from the 'Interim Adjusted1 and 'Old Series1
Indexes to the Revised Index."
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 1039: "Interim Adjustment of the
Consumers' Price Index."
January 1951 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
December 1952 Report: "Consumers1 Price Index: and Retail Food Prices."
Monthly Labor Review articles:
The Revised Consumer Price Index
Adjusted Consumers1 Price Index:
Interim Adjustment of Consumers1
Selection of Cities for Consumer
Revision of the Consumers1 Price

(February 1953).
Relative Importance of Items (June 1951)*
Price Index (April 1951).
Expenditure Survey-1950 (April 1951).
Index (July 1950).

1/ See December 1952 report, "Consumers1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Tables of
rebased "interim adjusted" indexes for the U. S. and for 20 cities are available upon
request.