Full text of CPI Detailed Report : October 1956
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Released November 26, 1956 U.S. DEPARTMENT CF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR OCTOBER 1956 Consumer prices in United States cities advanced 0.5 percent between September and October 1956, according to the U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Consumer Price Index for October, at a record level of 117.7 (1947-49=100), was 2.4 percent higher than a year ago. Food prices remained unchanged on the average, but prices of all other major groups of goods and services advanced. A sharp rise in average prices for automobiles, as some 1957 models were introduced, was the principal factor in the increase. FOOD The food index, at 113.1 percent of the 1947-49 average, was unchanged for the third consecutive month, reflecting a balance of divergent seasonal price movements in major classes of foods and of varied price changes among cities. Food prices in October were 2.1 percent higher than a year ago, but 3.0 percent below the August 1952 peak. Prices of fruits and vegetables declined 0.8 percent on the average, as prices of fresh produce followed seasonal ratterns. Price reductions were reported for apples (13 percent), potatoes (10 percent;, and onions (16 percent), and higher prices were reported for tomatoes (26 percent), lettuce (13 percent), and green beans (18 percent). Over-the-month changes in prices of other fresh produce and for canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables were small and varied. Lower prices for pork and poultry offset somewhat higher prices for beef and veal in the meats, poultry, and fish group. Prices of pork chops and ham were about 3 percent lower and poultry prices fell at about the same rate, while chuck roast, rib roast, and hamburger increased from 1 to 2 percent over the month. The dairy products group advanced less than 1 percent, with higher average prices reported for milk and butter. Prices of eggs and coffee also increased about 1 percent and scattered price increases were reported for bread. HOUSING The housing index continued to move upward as prices of fuel, housefurnishings, and household operation advanced. Residential rents remained at their September levelj bills for electricity declined slightly on the average. Higher prices were reported for wool floor coverings, innerspring mattresses, metal dinette sets, and washing machines* Anticipation of the introduction of new models was reflected in lower prices for refrigerators. The increase in household operation resulted from higher rates for such services as laundry^ dry cleaning, and domestic help. OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES The transportation index reflected higher prices for most items of automobile purchase and operation. The increase in new car prices was the result of both higher list prices for 1957 models and lower dealers' discounts than were offered at the end of the 1956 model year* Used car prices also rose substantially and smaller increases were reported for gasoline, tires, and auto repairs. Public transportation was unchanged on the average. 2 Apparel prices rose 0*3 percent primarily because of higher prices for women1s wool coats, suits, and dresses, and girls1 wool coats* Minor increases in other groups of goods and services reflected scattered advances for medical and personal care services* Television sets and repairs were generally higher* s m s & i July 1956 Rent and Housing group indexes for Kansas City have been revised as follows: Group Rent Housing Revised Index (1947-49=100) 139*3 122*7 TABU 1: Consumer Price Index — United State* city average all item* and commodity group® Indexes and percent changed for selected dates 3 Indexes (i947.49.lOO) October 1956 September 1956 August 1956 October 1955 June 1950 Year 1939 This month Last month 2 months ago Last year Pre-Korea Pre-World War II 117.7 117.1 116.8 114.9 101.8 59. 4 rood 1/ Food at home — Cereals and bakery products — Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products - — - — Fruiti and vegetables — — - Other foods at home 113,1 111.7 126.3 100.8 110.7 113.9 115.8 113.1 111.7 126.6 101.3 109.8 114*8 115.4 113.1 111.8 126.3 99.9 109.2 120.7 113.9 110.8 109.4 123.9 100.9 107.5 108.5 113.9 100.5 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 9%.l vr.i 47.1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48. 4 Housing 2/ Rent 122.8 133.4 112.0 132.9 103.6 124.2 122.5 133.4 112.2 130.5 103.3 123.7 122.2 133.2 112.1 129.5 102.6 123.4 120.8 130.8 111.2 126.3 104.4 120.1 10%. 9 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.% 99.6 76.1 86.6 104.9 56.4 53.% 68.4 106.8 108.2 100.1 126.2 92.1 106.5 108.3 99.6 126.0 92.0 105.5 107.7 98.1 124.8 91.5 104.6 106.0 99.5 118.4 91.0 96.5 98.1 93.3 102.1 88.4 52.5 50.8 54.5 50.3 40.6 132.6 173.0 122.9 128.6 173.0 118.7 128.5 172.9 118.6 126.6 167.1 117.1 109.9 117.9 106.6 70*2 81.3 65.5 134.1 120.8 108.5 123.0 134.0 120.5 108.4 122.7 120.3 107.9 122.1 128,7 117.0 106.7 120.6 105.4 99.2 102.5 103.7 72.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 October 1956 from: Group All items — — Solid fuels and fuel oil lousefurnishings Apparel — Men's and boys1 — Women's and girls' Footwear — — — Other apparel - — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Transportation Public Private Medical care — Personal care — — — — Reading and recreation - — Other goods and services — — — Percent change to September 1956 0.5 Food 1/ — — — — — — — — — — Cereal* and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — — — Other foods at home Solid fuels and fuel oil Household operation — — — Private — — — — - August 1956 0.8 October 1955 2.4 June 1950 Year 1939 15.6 98.1 0 0 .2 - .5 .8 - .8 .3 0 - .1 .4 .9 1.4 - 5.6 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.3 - .1 3.0 5.0 1.7 12.5 11.1 23.5 - 5.0 19.9 11.1 23.1 140.1 137*2 121.7 142.3 122.3 146.0 139.3 .2 0 - .2 1.8 .3 .4 .5 .2 - .1 2.6 1.0 .6 1.7 2.0 .7 5.2 - .8 3.4 17.1 22.7 9.1 23.5 6.4 24.7 61.4 54.0 6.8 135.6 94.0 81.6 •3 - .1 .5 .2 .1 1.2 .5 2.0 1.1 .7 2.1 2.1 .6 6.6 1.2 10.7 10.3 7.3 23.6 4.2 103.4 113.0 83.7 150.9 126.8 3.1 0 3.5 3.2 .1 3.6 4.7 3.5 5.0 20.7 46.7 15.3 88.9 112.8 87.6 .1 .2 .1 .2 .6 4.2 5*2 1.7 2.0 27.2 21.8 5.9 18.6 84.7 102.7 72.2 74.2 i: .6 .7 \ l/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). 4 TABLE 2 s Consumer Price Index — 111 items indexes for selected dates U.S. city average and 20 large cities (1947-49=100) City United States city average J/ October 1956 September 1956 October 1955 June 1950 Year 1939 117.7 117.1 114.9 101.8 59.4 121.1 120.0 118.5 115.7 118.6 120.3 119.7 117.8 115.1 118.4 119.0 116.5 116.3 112.4 115.3 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.4 60.1 59.2 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 1/ 102.1 99.9 101.5 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 September 1956 June 1956 September 1955 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 Cities priced monthlys Chicago Detroi t Los Angeles New York — — — Cities priced in January, April, July, October Kansas City Pittsburgh Portland, Oregon Cities priced in March, June, September, December Zl Atlanta Baltimore CincinnatiSt. Louis — San Francisco-— August 1956 Cities priced in February, May, August, November 2j Cleveland Houston— Scranton— Seattle Washington, D. C. — — May 1956 August 1955 117.3 116.8 112.1 117.1 114.4 119.1 118.2 113.5 118.8 115.7 U 116.0 115.5 111.5 116.6 113.8 June 1950 Year 1939 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 58.3 57.9 58.4 59.3 58.6 May 1950 Year 1939 100.4 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.4 This index on the base of 1935-39=100 is 196.8. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. 2/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. Ij May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November. U TABLE 3: Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from September 1956 to October 1956 U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly All items and commodity groups City All items United States city average— 0.5 Chicago Detroit Los AngelesNew York Philadelphia- .7 •3 .6 .5 .2 Housing Apparel Transportation Medical care 0.2 0.3 3.1 0.1 0.1 .2 .4 4.6 .5 .4 1.6 .1 .1 .4 .3 2.4 3.5 .4 0 0 Food .8 .2 .2 .1 .1 .1 .5 .9 .2 Reading and Personal recreation care 0.2 .1 Other goods & services 0.1 0,2 .1 .1 1.1 .1 .2 .1 .2 1.4 .7 0 0 .5 .3 .2 ' TABLE Consumer Price Index — All items and commodity groups October 1956 indexes and percent changes, July 1956 to October 1956 U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in October 1956 U.S. City Average Boston Group Chicago Detroit Kansas City MinneLos Angeles apolis New York Phila- Pittsdelphia burgh Portland, Oregon Indexes (19^7-^9-100) All items Food at home — — — — — — Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — — — Fruits and vegetables — — Other foods at home — — — — Housing — Rent — Gas and electricity — — — — Solid fuels and fuel oil — Housefurnishings — — - — - — — Household operation Men's and boys' — — — — Women's and girls' — — Other apparel Public Other goods and services 117.7 119.3 121.1 113.1 111.7 126.8 100.8 110.7 113.9 115.8 113.2 110.9 123.7 101.0 114.4 111.5 110.1 110.7 108.8 120.6 94.7 111.4 109.6 122.6 122.8 133.4 112.0 132.9 103.6 12^.2 127.2 133.9 110.7 136.3 106.2 120.8 132.2 106.8 108.2 100.1 126.2 92.1 120.0 118.9 118.5 117.4 115.7 118.6 118.2 115.1 113.6 119.9 99.0 112.1 123.6 118.4 109.9 107.8 123.5 97.4 108.0 111.0 108.5 114.6 110.9 130.8 101.0 105.5 111.8 114.4 113.2 112.1 128.5 95.7 110.6 117.6 123.9 113.6 112.2 130.6 104.0 108.0 113.4 116.2 116.0 114.3 129.9 102.3 114.9 117.2 116.5 115.2 114.8 113.2 113.1 130.0 124.9 100.1 101.0 111.3 , 114.0 111.6 114.4 118.5 125.5 122.6 139.5 121.1 120.7 103.6 127.6 128.1 103.4 128.1 120.2 146.8 124.8 125.1 98.7 122.6 119.1 121.4 110.4 140.2 103.7 124.7 118.1 113.8 135.9 101.9 129.9 126.6 145.7 112.3 126.6 107.7 116.9 103.4 130.1 107.8 120.0 120.2 126.6 127.0 127.9 105.6 124.4 124.7 133.3 107.8 136.0 104.3 117.4 105.3 104.4 100.2 120.2 104.4 110.3 114.5 100.9 130.5 96.2 104.6 110.6 94.6 122.1 87.5 105.1 107.1 98.9 121.9 88.4 107.1 111.4 98.6 127.7 84.3 108.2 108.6 103.8 122.8 94.0 106.3 107.3 99.8 124.9 95.5 107.3 105.3 104.0 122.0 93.9 104.5 106.2 96.2 124.4 99.0 110.0 112.0 102.3 130.9 96.1 132.6 173.0 122.9 145.3 166.9 138.3 139.9 166.5 125.5 128.5 144.3 125.1 130.9 187.3 121.6 129.3 152.9 125.2 117.9 165.6 111.9 137.7 187.9 118.5 137.5 186.7 116.9 143.5 194.0 123.4 126.9 164.1 122.4 134.1 120.8 108.5 123.0 139.5 124.3 110.1 121.6 138.0 124.1 115.5 119.0 143.2 128.4 109.6 124.7 149.8 124.0 118.8 122.2 128.0 120.1 97.2 120.0 149.8 124.6 117.0 127.4 127.9 112.6 107.2 123.7 138.1 127.8 115.2 125.6 143.8 119.3 106.3 122.8 132.9 121.1 118.3 121.8 — Percent change from All items 0.6 1.3 0.5 - 0.2 1.1 Food Food at home Cereals and bakery products — Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — - — — — Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home - 1.5 - 1.8 .8 1.5 1.8 -15.8 2.7 - .9 - 1.6 .7 1.7 4.0 -16.9 2.4 - 1.9 - 2.3 .2 1.8 1.7 -18.0 2.5 - 3.3 - 4.0 0 - .1 2.6 -22.6 2.8 Housing — Rent — — — Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Souse furnishings — — — — — .8 .2 .3 3.3 .8 1.0 1.4 .9 .4 4.1 .1 0 Apparel Men's and boys' — — — — — — Women's and girls' Footwear — — — — — — — Other apparel — — 1.4 .5 2.1 1.6 .8 2.4 .5 4.6 - .3 1.2 1.7 .7 2.3 1.7 1.2 1.8 .5 2.7 2.3 .2 Transportation Public — — — Private 3.8 .2 4.5 7.2 0 9.5 4.7 0 5.8 Medical care 1.1 .6 .7 .7 .5 .2 2.C 1.7 1.0 .2 0 1.4 Beading and recreation Other goods and services .8 — 0 2.0 .7 1.4 — 116.2 — July 1956 - 0.3 - 1.0 - 1.6 1.9 3.4 - 2.5 -12.9 1.1 .2 .6 .2 2.0 1.8 -10.6 3.2 - 1.8 - 2.8 1.7 .9 - .3 -18.4 2.7 1.0 2/- .1 1/ 1.0 2J .1 3.2 - 1.3 2.2 3.5 .8 - .3 .6 .3 .5 1.0 0.6 0.8 0.8 .4 .6 .6 3.1 1.9 -11.8 2.3 - 1.3 - 1.6 4.2 - .3 3.1 -16.3 2.9 - .9 - 1.4 - .6 1.9 3.3 -15.2 2.5 - 1.3 - 2.4 - .1 - .2 .4 -15.4 2.3 - - 2.0 1.7 .7 .7 0 .6 1.1 - .1 .8 .5 .2 3.2 .6 2.5 1.4 .3 3.2 - .6 .8 .8 .6 1.1 .1 .5 1.4 .6 2.5 .7 1.0 1.7 0 2.0 6.8 0 8.0 .9 0 1.0 .4 .1 1.7 0 8.3 .2 .7 .2 .6 0 — - - 1/ Change from April 1956 to October 1956. 2/ Based on revised indexes for July 1956s Rent 139*3 and Housing 122.7. to October 1956 0.3 - .4 1.5 - - — 119.5 1.7 0 5.9 1.0 .3 .1 .9 0 6.1 - .2 1.4 1.1 1.0 0 .2 1.1 - .9 2.0 .1 3.9 1.2 1.3 3.3 .9 5.2 2.4 2.1 1.0 .8 .6 2.1 .1 1.8 .8 2.5 2.9 .5 2.2 0 2.4 4.2 0 5.7 1.5 0 2.0 5.3 0 6.7 3.3 0 3.7 .3 .1 .4 .8 .9 .9 1.5 1.8 .2 0 .3 .3 6.1 .1 1.4 .2 1.1 .7 1.8 .5 — TABU 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups October 1956 indexes and percent changes, September 1956 to October 1956 TJ.S* city average and 20 large cities [>9Vr-*9«ioa] Total food at home Total food City Index Percent change Index 113.1 0 111.7 Atlanta Baltimore Boston Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland. Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles 111.7 llb.l 113.2 110.7 lib.6 111.7 115.1 110.3 109.9 lib.6 - 0.2 - .3 - .8 - .1 - .8 - .1 - .5 .2 .2 .8 110.b 0.5 lll.b 110.9 108.8 112.9 110.1 113.6 108.7 107.8 110.9 .b .9 .2 .9 .1 .7 0 .3 .6 113.2 .9 113.6 .2 116.0 .1 lib.8 - .3 115.2 .3 lib.5 - .2 115.8 .b 110.5 - .1 lib.5 .3 113.7 - 1.1 112.1 112.2 lib.3 113.1 113.2 111.3 lib.8 109.9 llb.O 112.0 .1 .3 0 .7 .5 .2 .6 .2 .b 1.3 —. — . Minneapolis New York — — . Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Oreg. — St. Louis San Francisco Scranton Seattle Washington, D.C. « TABLE 6: Cereals and bakery products; Flour, wheat — — 5 ib. Biscuit nix — — — — — — — — 20 oz. Corn seal — — — — — ib. Rice — — — — — — — — ib. Rolled oats — — — — — — — 20 oz. Corn flakes — — — — — — 12 oz. Bread, white — — — — — — ib. Soda crackers — — — — — — ib. Vanilla cookies — — — — 7 oz. Meats, poultry, and fish: Round steak — — — — — — ib. Chuck roast — — — - — - — — ib. ib. Hamburger — — — — — Yeal cutlets — — — — — Pork chops, center cut — — — — — Bacon, sliced — — — — — ib. ib. ib. ib. Ham, whole — ib. — — — — — - — Lamb, leg — — — — — — — ib. Frankfurters — — — — — — — — — lb. Luncheon meat, canned 12 oz. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook — ib. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen — ib. Haddock, fillet, frozen — — — ib. Salmon, pink, canned — — — — — 16 oz. Tuna fish, canned — —• 6 to 6h oz. Dairy products: Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) — qt. Ice cream — — — — — — — — — pt. Butter — — — — ib. Cheese, American process — — — ib. Milk, evaporated — — ui-oz. can Fruits and vegetables: Frozen: Strawberries — — — — — 10 oz. Orange juice concentrate — — 6 oz. Peaj, green — — — — — 10 oz. Beans, green — — — 10 oz. Fresh: Apples — — — — — — — — — ib. Bananas — — — — — — — — — ib. Oranges, size 200 — — - — doz. Lemons — — — — — — lb. * Priced only in season. Dairy products Percent change Fruits and vegetables Percent change Other foods at home Percent change Percent change 115.8 108.1 116.1 126.8 0.2 100. - 0.5 110.7 0.8 113.9 117.8 122.0 123.7 120.6 12b. 8 121.9 119.9 .3 .2 .2 0 0 .1 .2 2.1 2.1 .2 102. 101, 101, 9b. 102. 98. 99. 9597. - 112.6 109.7 llb.b lll.b 11U.1 107.6 109. b 108.0 105.5 0 .3 2.7 1.1 .2 3.1 .1 .1 2.7 .1 119.2 113.3 111.5 109.6 111.0 110.0 123.6 llb.b 111.0 111.8 1.9 1.9 3.7 2.0 3.1 0 .8 1.3 .b 0 110.1 122.6 122.3 120.0 118. b 113.6 108.5 llb.b 2.1 95.7 - .6 110.6 10b.0 - .3 108.0 102.3 - .9 liu. 9 100.1 - 1.3 111.3 101.0 - 2.0 llii.o 98.1 0 106.3 10b. 6 - .5 112.ii 99.7 - 1.1 108.1 100.9 - .6 116.0 99.3 - 1.1 115.8 .3 .8 2.7 .b .1 .2 1.7 .2 2.6 .2 117.6 113. b 117.2 llb.b 111.6 116.5 117.8 lio.b llb.l 113.0 1.5 1.3 1.3 2.8 1.3 1.9 0 .6 .9 5-b 123.9 116.2 116.5 125.5 118.5 12b. 3 llb.b 113.6 116.0 116.3 1.6 .b .1 .6 .9 .2 1.7 .b 1.0 .5 120.1 123.5 130.8 128.5 130.6 129.9 12b. 9 130.0 120.9 137.7 12b.b 136.6 123.0 .1 .1 .1 0 .1 .2 .2 .1 .1 .2 101, l.b 1.2 2.3 .7 l.U 1.6 1.2 .6 .8 .3 112.1 - 0.8 - 0.3 1.0 .6 .7 1.0 .1 .2 .6 Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods U.S. city average Food and unit Rib roast — — — — — — - — — Meats, poultry, and fish Percent change Percent change U.S. city average —. Cereals and bakery products Oct. 1956 Cents 53.1 26.7 Sept. 1956 Cents 53.2 26.7 12.6 12.6 17.2 17.2 19.3 21.9 19.3 22.0 18.3 27.7 2b. 2 96.6 18.2 27.7 2b.2 5b.5 77.0 bO.O 112.8 8U.9 61.7 59.8 69.7 96.9 53.b 76.2 39.b 112.8 87.9 60.5 61.b 70.9 bl.l b6.0 U2.2 U5.0 61.b bO.b b7.0 b2.0 b5.0 60.9 31.8 31.8 23.2 2b.7 29.0 73.b 57.2 lb.3 23.0 2b. 5 29.0 72.3 57.3 lb.3 29.0 19.8 20.b 23.3 29.2 20.1 21.2 13.2 17.1 69.5 15.1 16.9 52.2 20.1 52.0 22.9 68.2 19.8 Food and unit Fre s h — C ontinued Grapefruit * — — — — — — — Peaches * — — — — — — — — — — — Cents Cents lb.7 ib. — ib. Carrots — — — — — ib. Lettuce — — — — — — head Celery — — — — — — — ib. Cabbage ib. Tomatoes — — — — — — — ib. Beans, green — — — — ib. Canned: Orange juice — — — — — — 46-oz. can Peaches — — — - — — §zh can Pineapple — — — — #2 can Fruit cocktail — — — — #303 can Corn, cream style — — — — #303 can Peas, green — — — — — — — #303 can Tomatoes — — — — — #303 can Baby foods — — — — — — 4& to 5 oz. Dried; Prunes — — — — — — — — — ib. Beans — — — — — — ib. Other foods at home: T o m a t o SOUp — t o Beans with pork — — — — — Sept. 1956 each Strawberries * — — — pt. Grapes, seedless * — — — — — ib. Watermelons * — — — — — ib. Potatoes — — — — — — 10 ib. Sweetpotatoes — — . . ib. Onions — Oct. 1956 ll-oz. can 16-oz. can Pickles, sweet — — — — — 7h oz. Catsup, tomato — — — — — — — 14 oz. Coffee lb. can Tea bags — — — — — — pkg. of 16 Cola drink, carton — — 36 oz. Shortening, hydrogenated — 3 ib. Margarine, colored — — — — — ib. Lard — — — — — ib. Salad dressing — — — — — pt. Peanut butter — — — — — — ib. Sugar — — — — — — — — — 5 ib. Corn syrup — — — — — 24 oz. Grape Jelly — — — — — 12 oz. Chocolate bar — — — — — — 1 oz. Eggs, Grade A, large — doz. Gelatin, flavored — — 3 to 4 oz. 20.9 19.2 51.7 11.9 7.5 13.5 17.9 12 .b 6.9 21.0 57.7 13.1 9.0 lb.l 15.9 12.6 7.2 16.6 21.6 18.2 39.5 3b.5 33.8 26.2 17.9 21.b 15.1 38.8 3b.7 33.7 26.3 18.2 21.3 15.0 10.0 10.0 35.6 16.3 16.2 12.2 12.2 lb.6 26.9 23.1 109.0 23.2 33.0 97.2 29.1 lb.6 27.1 23.2 108.0 23.2 32.9 97.3 29.2 20.6 35-b 53.6 53.1 2b.1 27.0 b.5 63.3 8.5 36.2 20.1 35.5 53.6 52.9 2b.0 26.7 b.5 62.7 8.b 7 qLJM^EI The Consumer Price Index (CPI) 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 5 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 Statefj 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 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 nore or less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price levels or in living costs between cities. A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer Price Index: A Layman's Guide," which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. A more technical description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS Statistical Series.n Reprints of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices. Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for 20 large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1947 to date. BLS Regional Offices Atlanta 50 Seventh St., M 20X16 2 3 New York 341 Ninth Ave. Zone 1 Chicago 105 West Adams St. Zone 3 San Francisco 630 Sansome St. Zone 11 LABOR - D. C. Boston 18 Oliver St. Zone 10