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D E P A R T M E N T OF C O M M E R C E A N D L A B O R

BUREAU OF LABOR
CHAS. P. NEILL, Commissioner

RETAIL PRICES
1890 TO JUNE, 1912
BU LLETIN OF TH E UNITED
STATES BUREAU OF L A B O R
WHOLE NUMBER 106: PART I

RETAIL PRICES AND COST OF LIVING SERIES
No. 2: PART I




AUGUST 28, 1912

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1912




CONTENTS.
Retail Prices, 1890 to June,1912— Part I.
Introduction........................................................................................................................
Food.......................................................................................................................................
Bread weights.....................................................................................................................
Coal.........................................................................................................................................
Gas..........................................................................................................................................
Explanation of scope and method................................................................................
Food...............................................................................................................................
Bread weigh ts ............................................................................................................
Coal........................................... ....................................................................................
Gas..................................................................................................................................
Retail Prices, 1890 to June, 1912— Part n .
T a b l e I .— Retail prices of the principal articles of food on the 15th of
each month, January to June, 1911, and January to June, 1912, by cities
and by firms.
T a b l e I I .— Bread weights: Scaling weight (weight of dough before bak­
ing), in ounces, of the principal brands of wheat bread on the 15th of
each month, January to June, 1911, and January to June, 1912, by cities
and by firms and brands.
T a b l e I I I . — Per cent of increase or decrease in retail prices of the prin­
cipal articles of food: Price on the 15th of January, February, March,
April, May, and June, 1912, compared with price on the corresponding
date in 1911, by cities and by articles.
T a b l e IV .— Relative retail prices of the principal articles of food, Jan­
uary, 1911, to June, 1912, by geographical divisions.
T a e l e Y . — Retail prices of coal, for household use, on the 15th of each
month, January and April, 1911, and January and April, 1912, b y cities
and by firms.




3

Page.

5, 6
6-22
22
23,24
25,26
27-31
28,29
29, 30
30
31




BULLETIN OF THE
UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LABOR.
WHOLE NO. 106: PART I.

WASHINGTON.

AUGUST 28, 1912.

RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JUNE, 1912.
PART I.
INTRODUCTION.

This report presents for each of 39 of the most important industrial
cities in the various sections of the United States the retail prices of
the principal articles of food, the weight of principal brands of baker’s
bread, the retail prices of anthracite and bituminous coal for house­
hold use, and the net price of gas for household use.
This report summarizes data published in previous retail price
reports of the Bureau of Labor,1 and thus furnishes a comparison of
retail prices of food from 1890 to June, 1912, and of prices of coal
and gas from 1907 to June, 1912. Actual retail prices of the prin­
cipal articles of food and actual bread weights are shown in this
report for the 15th of each month, January to June, 1912, and for
purposes of comparison for corresponding dates in 1911. Actual
retail prices of coal for household use are shown for the 15th of
January and April, 1912, and for corresponding dates in 1911.
Actual prices of gas for household use are shown for April 15, 1912,
and for the corresponding date in 1911.
Data showing prices paid for food on the 15th of each month dur­
ing the early part of 1912 were furnished direct to the Bureau by a
number of consumers in Washington, D. C., and through the cour­
tesy of the Housewives League of New York similar data were fur­
nished for several other cities. These statements of prices are not
published in this report, but have been used by the Bureau for com­
parative purposes.
The Bureau at the present time is in receipt of monthly reports
of prices of the principal articles of food from approximately 675
retail merchants, of monthly reports of bread weights from 140
bakeries, of quarterly reports of coal prices from 165 coal dealers,
and of gas prices, as requested, from 60 gas companies in the 39
cities included in the study. The promptness with which the reports
are sent in by those who have been requested to furnish information
and the interest which has been taken, as indicated by the ready
reply to letters of inquiry, are very much appreciated by the Bureau.
1Eighteenth Annual Report and Bulletin Nos. 59, 65, 71, 77, and 105.




6

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.

This cooperation will enable the Bureau to issue a report on retail
prices every second month in order to meet the constant demand
for current information relative to prices.
The cities included in this report are important industrial cities repre­
senting 32 States. In a general way each city selected was that one
which had the largest population in the section in which it is situ­
ated; but, in addition, two smaller cities were included— Fall Elver,
which is a textile center in Massachusetts, and Scranton, which is
situated in the anthracite coal section of Pennsylvania. Within the
39 cities live one-fifth of the total number of people, two-fifths of the
urban population, and approximately one-third of the total number
engaged in gainful occupations (not including those in agricultural
pursuits) in continental United States.
The grade of articles of food quoted is that sold in each city in stores
patronized largely by families of American, English, Irish, German,
and Scandinavian wage earners. The Bureau has not attempted to
quote prices for an article of identical grade throughout the 39 cities.
For almost every article this would be absolutely impossible, as the
grade varies not only from city to city but also from firm to firm
within the same city, and the grade even varies to some extent from
month to month Within the same store. Stores which vary in a
marked degree from day to day or month to month the grade of
articles handled have not been included, but in every store there is
necessarily some variation in grade.
This report is published in two parts. Part I contains a summary
of the whole report and Part II contains all general tables showing
actual price quotations and bread weights for the first six months of
1912 and, also for comparative purposes, for the first six months of
1911, city by city.
FOOD.

Fifteen articles of food enter into the relative prices in this report.
These 15 articles represent approximately two-thirds of the expendi­
ture for food by the average workingman’s family, as shown in the
Eighteenth Annual Report of the Commissioner of Labor. Eleven
of these fifteen articles were higher in price on June 15, 1912, than on
December 15, 1911. The only four of the fifteen articles lower in
price were eggs, butter, milk, and sugar, and the price of three of these
four are normally lower during the summer months than during the
winter months.
Fourteen of the fifteen articles were higher in price on June 15,1912,
than on June 15, 1911. Bacon was the only article showing a decline
in price, and the change was only 0.1 per cent. The per cent of ad­
vance varied from 2.4 per cent for milk to 18.6 per cent for round
steak. Nine of the fifteen articles advanced more than 10 per cent.




7

RETAIL PRICES. 189ft TO JU N E , 1912.

The table which follows compares for each of the 15 articles the
price on June 15, 1912, with the price on June 15, 1911:
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN TH E R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON JUNE 15,
1911, B Y ARTICLES.
Per cent Per cent
of in­
of de­
crease in crease in
price.
price.

Articles.

0.1

Bacon, smoked........................
Milk, fresh................................
TTam; smoked..........................

2.4

Hens..........................................
Sugar, granulated..................

2.7

Potatoes, Irish............... .........

3.8
6.0
7.6

Wheat flour..............................
Pork chops..............................

10.7
11.2

Lard, pure...............................
Eggs, strictly fresh.................
Com meal.................................
Butter, creamery...................

11.3
11.8
12.7

Sirloin steak............................
Ribroast..................................
Round steak............................

’ 15.3
17.1
17.5
18.6

The next table compares for each of the 15 articles the price on the
15th of January, February, March, April, May, and June, 1912,
with the price on the corresponding date in 1911.
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON THE 15TH OF JAN U A R Y, F E B R U A R Y , M ARCH,
APR IL, M A Y , AND JUNE, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON THE CORRESPONDING
DATE OF 1911, B Y ARTICLES.
Price Jan.
15,1912—
Article.

Higher
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

Per
cent.
Sirloin steak__
Round steak. . .
Rib roast..........
Pork chops.......
Bacon, smoked
Ham, smoked..
Lard, pure........
Hens..................
Wheat flour___
Corn meal.........
Eggs, strictly
fresh...............
Butter, cream­
ery ..................
Potatoes, Irish.
Sugar, granu­
lated...............
Milk, fresh........

Price Feb.
15, 1912—

Price Mar.
15,1912—

Lower Higher Lower Higher Lower
than than than than than
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Feb.
Mar.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.

Per
cent.

2.3
2.1
2.1

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

3.0
2.8
2.7
3.8
8.6
2.8
12.4
2.1
.2

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

4.3
3.7
3.5
6.4
8.8
2.8
11.0
1.4

0.8
7.7
1.9
6.7
1.9
2.7
7.0

Price Apr.
15,1912—
Higher
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

Per
cent.

Price May
15,1912—

Lower Higher Lower Higher Lower
than
than than than than
Apr.
May June June
May
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.

Per
cent.

9.4
9.3
7.6
10.9

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

15.8
16.7
14.6
12.8
3.2

1.2
.3
3.1
5.2
9.1

Price June
15, 1912—

Per
cent.

0.1

0.7
3.5
8.3
3.9
9.9
12.3

2.7
11.3
3.8
10.7
12.7

5.7

1.2
6.0

9.6

26.9

5.4

11.5

12.1

11.8

18.6
49.2

17.2
55.8

13.6
66.7

26.0
77.6

24.9
48.5

15.3
7.6

11.5
1.3

8.1
2.8

6.0
2.4

15.2

15.8
.2




.1

16.2
.3

[T

Per
cent.

17.1
18.6
17.5
11.2

8

BULLETIN OF THJJ BUREAU OF LABOR.

Of the 15 articles of food, the price of 8 was higher on January 15,
1912, than on January 15, 1911; the price of 9 was higher on Febru­
ary 15, 1912, than on February 15, 1911; the price of 11 was higher
on March 15, 1912, than on March 15, 1911; the price of 14 was
higher on April 15, 1912, than on April 15, 1911; the price of 14 was
higher on May 15, 1912, than on May 15, 1911; and the price of 14
was higher on June 15, 1912, than on June 15, 1911.
The next table compares for each of the 15 articles the price on
June 15, 1912, with the average price for the 10-year period 1890 to
1899. Sugar made the least change and potatoes made the greatest
change, with advances of 8.5 per cent and 111.9 per cent, respectively.
Ten of the 15 articles advanced in price more than 50 per cent.
PER CENT OF INCREASE IN THE R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF
FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H THE A V E R A G E PRICE FOR THE
10-YEAR PERIOD 1890 TO 1899, B Y ARTICLES.

Article.

Per cent
of
increase
in price.

Sugar, granulated................
Eggs, strictly fresh...............
Milk, fresh.............................
Butter, creamery..................

8.5
26.1

Wheat flour............................
Lard, pure.............................

39.3
55.3
58.1
59.5
61.3
63.7

Hens........................................
Sirloin steak..........................
Ham, smoked........................
Com meal...............................
Ribroast................................
Round steak..........................
Pork chops.............................
Bacon, smoked.....................
Potatoes, Irish......................

32.9
33.3

63.8
84.0
86.0
96.7
111.9

The next table compares for each of the principal articles of food
the retail price on June 15, 1912, with the price on June 15, 1911,
within each of the 39 cities and also within each geographical division.
The table shows, for example, that in Boston, Mass., prices on
June 15, 1912, compared with prices on June 15, 1911, advanced
12.5 per cent for sirloin steak, 17.8 per cent for round steak, 27.4
per cent for ribroast, 5.1 per cent for pork chops, and declined 1.7
per cent for bacon, etc. The table also shows that prices for sirloin
steak on June 15, 1912, compared with prices on June 15, 1911,
advanced 12.5 per cent in Boston, 18.4 per cent in Buffalo, 6.6 per
cent in Atlanta, 16.2 per cent in Chicago, and 13.8 per cent in
Birmingham, etc.



9

RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E, 1912,

P E R CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON JUNE 15,
1911, B Y CITIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS.
Sirloin steak:
Price
June 15,1912—
City and geograph­
ical division.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

R oun d steak:
Price
June 15,1912—
Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than,
June 15,
1911.

Rib roast:
Price
June 15,1912—
Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Pork chops:
Price
June 15,1912—
Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

North Atlantic division:
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
Boston, Mass.......
12.5
17.8
27.4
5.1
18.4
Buffalo, N. Y ___
24.2
21.7
5.4
Fall River, Mass.
21.3
30.4
22.8
14.0
Manchester, N. H.
22.4
20.5
33.5
7.0
Newark, N. J___
New Haven, Conn
New York, N. Y .
Philadelphia, Pa.

17.5
20.3
18.4
20.8

20.6
18.5
21.9
22.3

24.1
24.0
22.6
21.4

22.8
15.9
21.6
28.5

Pittsburgh, P a...
Providence, R , I .
Scranton, Pa........

29.6
25.0
23.3

26.6
31.9
25.5

17.9
34.8
22.4

9.3
13.8
9.0

South Atlantic division:
Atlanta, Ga.........
Baltimore, M d ...
Charleston, S. C ..

6.6
21.6
3.3

8.8
19.0
5.7

15.6
13.5
4.2

12.4
13.6
9.1

Jacksonville, Fla.
Richmond, V a ...
W ashington, D. C.

28.2
20.4
17.7

11.2
17.0
25.1

15.1
15.2
18.1

9.0
22.2
17.4

North Central divi­
sion:
Chicago, 111..........
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio..
Detroit, Mich___
Indianapolis, Ind.

16.2
20.9
23.4
13.0
18.7

21.1
13.2
27.5
17.8
18.2

12.2
22.1
22.6
15.9
15.2

3.5
13.8
15.9
11.9
14.0

21.6
11.2

23.1
21.4

15.6
16.9

23.4
9.3

7.1
40.7
10.2

14.5
29.4
13.0

13.7
30.1
13.8

15.8
22. 4
11.3

Kansas City, Mo.
Milwaukee, W is..
Min n e a p o 1i s ,
Minn..................
Omaha, Nebr___
St. Louis, Mo___
South Central divi­
sion:
Birmingham, Ala.
Dallas, Tex..........
Little Rock, Ark.

13.8

14.8
4.1
8.6

13.6

10.1

Louisville, K y . . .
Memphis, Tenn..
New Orleans, La.

19.6
19.6
23.9

12.6
18.2
28.3

13.6
22.4
19.6

Western division:
Denver, Colo........
Los Angeles, Cal.
Portland, Oreg__

31.0
9.5
8.3

22.9
16.7
4.8

24.4
7.1
3.2

21.3

19.9

Salt Lake City,
Utah..................
San Francisco,
Cal.....................
Seattle, W ash.. . .
North Atlantic divi­
sion............................
South Atlantic divi­
sion............................
North Central divi­
sion............................
South Central divi­
sion............................
Western division........

7.0

9.4
17.7

11.0

11.0
6.2
2.4

0.5
3.9

6.5
6.8
7.7
9.6
7.3
2.6
.3

13.7
0.6

7.1
18.1

______

7.2
8.6

20.8

24.9

24.1

13.7

16.5

14.8

14.1

14.8

18.2

20.3

18.1

14.6

13.1
13.2

14.6
12.4

12.5
12.1

2.3
5.3

18.6

17.5

11.2

Digitized for United
FRASER
States..
17.1


______

10

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,

PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON JUNE 15,
1911, B Y CITIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS—Continued.
Bacon, sm oked:
Price
June 1 5,1912City and geograph­
ical division.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

North Atlantic divi­
sion:
Per cent.
Boston, Mass.......
Buffalo, N. Y . . . .
Fall River, Mass..
Manchester, N . H .
Newark, N. J___
New Haven,Conn
New York, N. Y .
Philadelphia, P a.

7.6

Pittsburgh, P a...
Providence, R. I .
Scranton, Pa........

1.3

South Atlantic divi­
sion:
Atlanta, Ga.........
Baltimore, M d ...
Charleston, S. C..
Jacksonville, Fla.
Richmond, V a . ..
Washington,D.C.
North Central divi­
sion:
Chicago, 111...........
Cincinnati, Ohio..
Cleveland, Ohio..
Detroit, Mich___
Indianapolis, Ind.
Kansas City, Mo.
Milwaukee, W is..
Minneapolis, Minn
Omaha, Nebr___
St. Louis, Mo___
South Central divi­
sion:
B irmingham, Ala.
Dallas, T ex..........
Little Rock, Ark.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

6.8

10.0

2.1

5.1
20.7
24.5
3.5

2.9

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

H ens:
Price
June 15 ,1912Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

7.7
4.7

2.0

6.8
2.6
7.9
6.2

7.4
14.7
9.9
9.3

5.1
11.9
9.2
5.0

15.2

9.6
11.2
8.5

9.6
24.2

"i~6

.9

4.9
22.4

2.7

8.5

8.8
3.7

3.8
5.1

22.4
16.3

2.8

4.9
5.3
17.7

4.6
3.8

2.3

11.0
8.3
4.7
9.1
.7

8.4

1.9

17.7
11.3
7.5

7.7
10.5
3.7
16.9
9.7

6.0

4.9

7.2
3.1

2.3
5.7
7.2
4.4

1.2

7.1

5.4
1.3

6.0

8.8
.6

9.4

4.3

2.5

4.8
1.3
5.3

2.6

United States.

0.5

3.7

Western division:
Denver, Colo........
Los Angeles, Cal..
Portland, Oreg...




1.7
6.3
3.2

5.6

1.0

North Atlantic divi­
sion............................
South Atlantic divi­
sion............................
North central divi­
sion............................
South central divi­
sion ...........................
Western division.......

Higher
. than
June 15,
1911.

Lard, pure:
Price
June 15,1912-

Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.

.7

Louisville, K y . . .
Memphis, Tenn..
New Orleans, La.

Salt Lake City
Utah...............:
San Francisco,Cal
Seattle, W ash.. . .

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

H a m , sm oked:
Price
June 15,1912-

".2

3.0
6.5

' i ‘9'

6.6
1.9

12.0

.7

11.2
2.0

6.6

15.3
1.4
3.1
.7

18.6

9.0
6.4
5.6
18.0
17.5

3.1

8.1

12.3
15.9

2.2

4.2
. 5.4
.7

17.9
11.4

7.5
3.0

11.0
11.6

2.6

3.0

4.4

14.6
4.7

5.4

5.8
4.1
7.6

7.0
4.8
12.8

3.0
16.4

C1)

2.9

4.4

11.2

2.8

12.4

.4

3.1

10.8

9.3

2.0

7.1

12.6
9.6

.4

2.7
1 No data.

11.3

C1)

.7
4.0
3.8

11

EE TAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E, 1912,

P E E CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON*JUNE 15;
1911, B Y CITIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS—Continued.
W heat flour:
Price
June 15,1912—

Corn m eal:
Price
June 15,1912—

Eggs, strictly
fresh:
Price
June 15,1912—

Butter, creamery:
Price
June 15,1912—

City and geographical division.
Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

North Atlantic divi­
sion:
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
1.9
20. 7
Boston, Mass.......
6.8
3.7
20.0
Buffalo, N. Y . . . .
6.8
4.4
17.6
10.3
1.2
Fall River, Mass.
25.7
6.7
Manchester, N . H
8.3
6.2
31.7
43.8
Newark, N. J___
New Haven,Conn
New York, N. Y .
Philadelphia, Pa.

5.2
11.7
6.7
7.3

8.3
6.9
4.4

Pittsburgh, P a ...
Providence, R. I.
Scranton, Pa........

10.0
7.3
4.2

9.9
30.8
10.0

10.9
14.1

9.0
20.3
20.5

South Atlantic divi­
sion:
Atlanta, Ga.........
Baltimore, M d ...
Charleston, S. C ..

5.5
12.3
13.2

25.5
15.5
32.8

20.4
22.3
15.3

17.9
15.5
14.4

Jacksonville, Fla.
Richmond, V a ...
Washington, D. C

6.6
12.9
3.0

23.6
6.8
13.8

3.5
8.9
18.0

15.7
19.2
13.2

North Central divi­
sion:
Chicago, 111..........
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio..
Detroit, M ich.__
Indianapolis, Ind.

8.0
7.2
15.9
14.3
12.7

0)
13.3
6.9
2.9
2.3

5.2
21.0
16.6
7.7
18.5

4.7
10.2
9.8
12.1
17.1

0)

0)

11.6
4.8
9.1
14.9
5.3

(l)

Kansas City?-, M o..
Milwaukee, W is ..
M in n e a p o lis ,
Minn..................
Omaha, Nebr___
St. Louis, Mo___

7.0
14.4

17.3
9.2

14.5
(2)

18.3
13.4
12.4

9.0
9.4
28.7

9.2
33.0

South Central divi­
sion:
Birmingham, Ala
Dallas, Tex..........
Little Rock, Ark.

7.0
4.9
4.7

33.1
15.4
17.6

10.6
25.0

Louisville, K y .. .
Memphis, Tenn..
New Orleans, La.

23.5
10.8
15.0

23.7
13.5
27.8

20. 9
8.9
14.8

Western division:
Denver, Colo........
Los Angeles, Cal..
Portland, Oreg...

12.1
6.6
5.2

8.6
20.8
11.9

5.1
4.2

Salt Lake City,
Utah..................
San Francisco,
Cal......................
Seattle, Wash___
North Atlantic divi­
sion ............................
South Atlantic divi­
sion............................
North Central divi­
sion ............................
South Central divi­
sion...................
Western division........

17.7
23.1
9.5
16.1

(2)
4.4

14.0
10.9
13.1
9.5
21.4

18.4
0.1
10.5

13.7
14.3
18.2
9.5

1.7

17.1
13.7
6.7

20.1

7.9

1.8

4.5

8.7

5.9
15.9

1.1
2.9

21.9
11.6

0.1
8.8

7.6

11.1

19.6

9.0

19.7

15.2

16.0

12.3

9.8

12.9

12.3

12.1
9.0

21.8
11.8

11.6
1.4

12.4
13.0

12.7

11.8 .................1

15.3


United States..
10.7
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
1 No change.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

2 No data.

12

BULLETIN OF TQE BUREAU OF LABOR,

PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL
ARTICLES OF FOOD: PRICE ON JUNE 15, 1912, COMPARED W IT H PRICE ON JUNE 15,
1911, B Y CITIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS—Concluded.

Potatoes, Irish:
Price
June 15,1912—

Sugar, granu­
lated:
Price
June 15,1912—

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

M ilk , fresh:
Price
June 15,1912—

City and geographical division.
Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

Higher
than
June 15,
1911.

Lower
than
June 15,
1911.

North Atlantic division:
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
Boston, Mass.............................................
37.8
4.3
9.3
(i)
8.8
Buffalo, N. Y ......... '................. ................
48.7
C)
Fall River, Mass.......................................
6.3
4.3
14.3
(i)
(i)
Manchester, N . H .....................................
45.1
7.5
Newark, N. J.............................................
New Haven, Conn....................................
Philadelphia, Pa.......................................
Pittsburgh, P a .........................................
Providence, R. I .......................................
Scranton, Pa..............................................

(2)
23.5
(2)
27.6

(2)
(2)

21.4
1.1
15.0

6.0
1.1
4.2
3.4

(i)
3.8
O)
(i)

1.0
7.0
5.7

.3
(i)
^ 2.7

0)

0)
m
C)

South Atlantic division:
Atlanta, Ga................................................
Baltimore, Md...........................................
Charleston, S. C.......................................

38.5
18.0

5.5
10.9
10.7

Cl
(l)
^ 6.4

(i)
(i)

Jacksonville, Fla.......................................
Richmond, V a ..........................................
Washington, D. C ....................................

46.0
17.1
15.3

13.4
6.3
11.4

0)

0)

North Central division:
Chicago, 111.................................................
Cincinnati, Ohio.......................................
Cleveland, Ohio.........................................
Detroit, Mich.............................................
Indianapolis, Ind......................................

28.2
32.3
43.0
76.2
6.9

5.3

Kansas City, Mo.......................................
Milwaukee, W is........................................
Minneapolis, Minn...................................
Omaha, Nebr.............................................
St. Louis, Mo.............................................

35.7
.9

South Central division:
Birmingham, Ala.....................................
Dallas, Tex................................................
Little Rock, Ark.......................................

21.6

Louisville, K y ...........................................
Memphis, Tenn.........................................
New Orleans, La.......................................

27.0
15.3
11.1

Salt Lake City, Utah...............................
San Francisco, Cal...................................
Seattle, Wash............................................

32.8

North Atlantic division.................................
South Atlantic division..................................
North Central division...................................
South Central division....................................
Western division..............................................

18.0
20.0
13.0
5.7

United States.........................................

7.6




1 No change.

3.6
5.1
.6
7.7
18.1
6.6

Western division:
Denver, Colo............................... ..............
Los Angeles, Cal.......................................
Portland, Oreg..........................................

0.1
.1

0)
14.3
14.2
C)

(i)
C)
(!)
3.9

13.5
30.3

2.7
6.5
3.4
6.9
8.7

0)
16.7
2.5

25.2
9.4

8.1
14.9
5.3

.1
(i)
12.3

C)

0)

0)

0)

C)
2.6

.6
2.5
7.3

1.8

13.6
37.7
38.4

11.5
5.8
1.1

(i)
13.1
4.0

14.7
52.4

4.6
8.8
11.9

24.7

4.3
9.8
5.4
4.5
7.3

2.7
1.1
3.8
1.0
2.6

6.0

2.4

2 No

data.

4.0

2.0
.2
.5

EETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

13

In order that the course of .prices of each of the various articles
through a series of years may be studied, relative prices have been com­
puted for each of the 15 articles included in this investigation. These
relative prices have also been combined, so that the course of prices
as a whole may be seen. No relative prices Were computed for three
articles for which actual prices are quoted in General Table I, in Part
II of this Bulletin. These articles are chuck roast, leg of lamb (year­
ling), and storage eggs; and the reasons for their omission from the
table of relative prices are shown in connection with the explanation
of General Table IV, in Part II of this Bulletin.
A relative price, or index number, as it is technically called, of any
article is the per cent which the price of that article at any certain
date is of the price of the same article at a date or period which has
been selected as the base or standard. The value of the relative
price is that it enables the reader to follow more readily the course of
prices of a single article, and when these relative prices, or index num­
bers, are combined also to follow the course of prices of groups of
articles. The base selected for the compilation of retail prices of food
is the average price for the 10-year period 1890 to 1899. This base
period is the same as was used by the Bureau in previous reports on
retail prices (Eighteenth Annual Report and Bulletin Nos. 59, 65, 71,
77, and 105), in reports on wholesale prices (Bulletin Nos. 39, 45, 51,
57, 63, 69, 75, 81, 87, 93, and 99), and in reports on wages and hours of
labor (Nineteenth Annual Report and Bulletin Nos. 59, 65, 71, and
77). The average for the 10-year period is used as the base for the
reason that an average price for a number of years more nearly repre­
sents normal conditions than does the price for a single year, because
of unusual conditions which may prevail in any one year.
The next table shows for each of the five geographical divisions and
for the United States as a whole the relative retail prices of food for
each year from 1890 to 1911, and also for each month from January,
1911, to June, 1912. In the first section of the table is shown for each
of the five geographical divisions and for the United States as a whole
the simple average of the relative prices of the 15 articles. In com­
puting the relative prices shown in the second section of the table for
each of the five geographical divisions and for the United States the
relative price for each of the 15 articles was weighted according to
average consumption in workingmen’s families in the particular divi­
sion or in the United States as a whole. The method of weighting
relatives is fully explained and illustrated in the report on retail
prices published in Bulletin No. 105. The 15 articles represent
approximately two-thirds of the average expenditure for food in the
average workingman’s family, according to the Eighteenth Annual
Report of the Commissioner of Labor. The proportion of total
expenditures represented by the 15 articles in each geographical divi­




14

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,

sion and in the United States as a whole, as shown by the Eighteenth
Annual Report, was as follows:
Per cent.

North Atlantic division..................................................................................
South Atlantic division..................................................................................
North Central division...................................................................................
South Central division...................................................................................
Western division...............................................................................................

64.11
66. 43
63.10
67. 95
57. 79

United States........................................................................................ 63. 97

The table of simple and weighted relative retail prices follows:
R E L A T IV E R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD, SIMPLE AND W E IG H T E D A V E R A G E S, 1890 TO
JUNE, 1912, B Y GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]

Year or
month.

Simple average of the relative prices of 15
principal articles, shown in detail on
pages 18 and 19.

Relative prices, weighted according to the
average consumption of the various articles
of food in workingmen's families, in each
geographical division.

North South North South
Cen­
Cen­ West­
AtAtern United
lantic lantic tral
tral
divi­ States.
divi­ divi­ divi­ divi­ sion.
sion. sion.
sion.
sion.

North South North South
At­ Cen­ Cen­ West­
At­
ern United
lantic lantic tral
tral
divi­ States.
divi­ divi­ divi­ divi­
sion.
sion.
sion. sion.
sion.

101.7
102.7
101.7
104.8
99.4

100.4
101.8
101.2
102.5
99.5

102.0
104.5
101.8
106.4
100.0

100.6
103.2
99.9
104.2
100.3

106.0
107.6
104.0
103.0
98.1

102.0
103.6
101.7
104.6
99.5

101.9
102.1
101.8
104.4
99.2

100.6
101.6
101.2
102.7
99.6

101.7
104.4
101.9
106.2
99.6

100.9
102.8
100.1
104.2
100.4

105.2
106.9
103.4
102.1
98.0

101.9
103.4
101.6
104.1
99.2

1895................ 97.2
1896................ 95.7
1897................ 97.3
1898................ 100.3
1899...............
99.7

98.2
97.1
97.3
99.7
102.3

97.0
93.9
95.8
99.3
99.4

97.8
95.4
96.6
100.4
101.8

96.0
94.1
94.6
96.7
100.3

97.2
94.9
96.4
99.4
100.6

97.2
95.9
97.4
100.2
100.0

97.8
97.3
97.4
99.7
102.0

97.1
94.0
96.199.5
99.6

97.9
95.7
96.9
99.9
101.3

95.6
94.2
94.9
98.0
101.8

97.1
95.2
96.7
99.7
100.8

1900...............
1901................
1902................
1903................
1904................

103.0
108.9
116.2
116.3
117.6

104.7
110.3
116.7
115.6
115.8

102.5
110.6
117.4
117.3
118.1

102.2
110.5
119.3
121.4
122.2

100.7
104.6
111.9
112.4
114.8

102.9
109.5
116.8
116.9
118.3

103.0
108.0
114.0
113.7
115.5

104.4
109.7
115.6
114.6
114.9

102.5
109.5
115.4
115.5
116.2

103.1
109.7
118.7
120.3
121.1

102.2
104.9
110.1
109.9
111.1

103.0
108.5
114.6
114.7
116.2

1905................ 116.8
1906................ 121.4
1907................ 126.4
1908................ 129.2
1909................ 134.7

116.3
120.8
126.4
131.0
139.2

118.1
122.3
127.3
133.1
141.4

122.4
125.8
131.7
138.8
148.3

115.4
118.9
125.5
128.4
137.4

118.3
122.4
128.0
132.5
140.3

115.0
119.1
123.9
126.5
131.2

115.7
120.0
125.9
129.8
137.8

116.3
120.6
126.0
131.5
139.1

121.3
125.0
130.9
137.5
147.1

111.8
115.0
121.8
123.9
131.3

116.4
120.3
125.9
130.1
137.2

1910................ 140.3
1911................ 139.3

149.8
145.2

149.7
146.9

157.8
158.6

146.3
145.9

148.5
146.9

135.2
134.9

148.4
142.9

147.0
144.4

1911 .
January........ 139.8 * 148.2
February . . . 3^6.2 143.4
March........... 134.1 140.9

156.7
157.0

.138. 8
139.1

144.1
143.0

148.7
144.3
141.9

160.7
157.1
153.8

148.1
144.4
143.6

148.2
144.5
142.1

135.8
131.3
128.8

147.7
142.0
139.1

147.0
141.4
138.8

159.5
155.6
152.3

142.6
139.3
137.1

145.0
140.4
137.6

April.............
May...............
June..............

131.8
132.3
136.4

138.8
138.8
141.8

140.7
141.0
145.9

153.5
152.8
156.7

142.3
143.4
145.4

140.6
140.9
144.8-

125.8
126.1
130.3

136.2
135.9
138.0

136.5
136.7
141.5

151.5
150.6
154.1

134.0
134.8
136.3

135.3
135.4
139.2

July...............
August.........
September . .

141.7
142.7
143.4

148.0
148.9
150.2

150.4
149.6
150.2

160.5
161.4
160.9

147.5
145.4
145.1

149.4
149.4
149.8

135.7
137.3
138.7

142.9
145.0
147.2

146.2
146.5
148.0

157.8
159.1
159.3

138.5
138.1
138.7

143.7
144.5
145.7

October........
November...
December. . .

143.7
144.3
144.6

148.7
148.1
148.4

148.0
149.4
151.4

159.6
160.4
163.1

147.0
149.2
147.5

140.2
142.8
144.2

1912 .
January........
February___
March...........

149.1
149.8
150.6

147.1
147.6
148.5

147.1
149.4
152.2

158.5
159.7
162.9

141.6
144.8
144.0

146.2
148.3
150.0

147.9
147.4
143.5

152.9
151.3
147.4

155.3
153.9
152.7

166.7
162.5
160.8

147.0
144.6
147.0

153.7
152.1
150.4

147.6
146.9
140.7

153.1
150.5
145.1

156.5
153.5
151.0

166.2
161.4
158.9

144.1
141.8
142.7

153.5
150.9
147.6

April.............
May...............

148.8
151.9

153.1
158.0

159.3
161.3
161.9

166.7
168.6
168.1

150.4
151.0
150.6

156.0
158.6
158.1

145.5
148.1
147.9

149.9
154.3
153.4

158.0
159.2
158.7

164.7
166.3
165.2

144.3
143.6
143.7

152.7
154.6
154.0

1890................
1891................
1892...............
1893................
1894................


June.............. 150.7 157.6


EE TAIL PKICES, 1890 TO JU N E, 1912.

15

The last column of the above table shows that the relative price,
computed by giving to each of the articles its weight according to
average consumption in workingmen’s families, was, in 1890, 101.9
per cent of the average price for the 10-year period 1890 to 1899. In
1891 prices advanced to 103.4; in 1892 there was a slight decline to
101.6, in 1893 an advance to 104.1. After this there was a gradual
decline until the lowest price (95.2) in the 22 years covered by this
report was reached in 1896. From that time each year showed an
advance until the highest yearly price (144.1) in the 22 years was
reached in 1910. The price (143.0) in 1911 showed a slight decline
from 1910, but was higher than in any year from 1890 to 1909. The
monthly relative price in January, 1911, was 145.0. There was a
decline until 135.3 was reached in April; then an advance each
month until January, 1912, when the relative price was 153.5; a
decline during each of the next two months; then an advance until
154.6 was reached in May, and then a slight decline to 154.0 in
June, 1912.
The column of the above table which gives for the United States
the relative price computed as a simple average of the 15 principal
articles of food shows that the course of the simple average yearly
prices is exactly the same as the course of the weighted, but the simple
relative goes lower during the period of low prices and higher during
the period of high prices.
The lowest price during the 22\ years was reached in each of the
geographical divisions and in the United States as a whole in 1896,
both for the simple averages and for the weighted averages. In the
North Atlantic division and in the South Atlantic division prices
(both simple and weighted averages) reached the highest level in
May, 1912. In the North Central division the highest level was
reached in June, 1912, according to the simple average, and in May,
1912, according to the weighted average. In the South Central divi­
sion prices (both simple and weighted averages) reached the highest
level in May, 1912. In the Western division the highest level was
reached in May, 1912, according to the simple average, and in No­
vember, 1911, according to the weighted average. In the United
States, considered as a whole, the highest level was reached in May,
1912, both according to the simple average and according to the
weighted average.
The next table compares prices in each geographical division and
in the United States as a whole on the 15th of each month, January
to June, 1912, with prices on the corresponding dates in 1911.




16

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOB.

Considering prices in the United States as a whole, the simple
average of the relatives for 15 principal articles of food shows the
following:
Jan. 15, 1912, compared with Jan. 15, 1911.................. 3. 7 per cent advance.
Feb. 15, 1912, compared with Feb. 15, 1911................ 5. 3 per cent advance.
Mar. 15, 1912, compared with Mar. 15, 1911...............
5. 8 per cent advance.
Apr. 15, 1912, compared with Apr. 15, 1911............... 11. 0 per cent advance.
May 15, 1912, compared with May 15, 1911................. 12. 6 per cent advance.
June 15, 1912, compared with June 15, 1911................ 9. 2 per cent advance.

When the relative prices are weighted according to the average
consumption of the various articles of food in workingmen’s families,
the changes in prices within a year were as follows:
Jan. 15, 1912, compared with Jan. 15, 1911................... 5. 9 per cent advance.
7. 5 per cent advance.
Feb. 15, 1912, compared with Feb. 15, 1911.................
Mar. 15, 1912, compared with Mar. 15, 1911................. 7. 3 per cent advance.
Apr. 15, 1912, compared with Apr. 15, 1911................. 12. 9 per cent advance.
May 15, 1912, compared with May 15, 1911.................. 14. 2 per cent advance.
June 15, 1912, compared with June 15, 1 9 11............. 10. 6 per cent advance.

The table follows:
PEE CENT OF INCREASE OR D ECR EASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF A L L ARTICLES OF
FOOD FOR W H IC H D A T A AR E SH O W N IN THIS R E P O R T: PRICE ON THE 15TH OF
JAN U AR Y, F E B R U A R Y , MARCH, A PR IL , M A Y, AN D JUNE, 1912, COMPARED W IT H
PRICE ON THE CORRESPONDING DATE IN 1911, SIMPLE AN D W E IG H T E D AVER A G E S,
B Y GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS.

Price Jan. 15,
1912—
Geographical divisions.

Simple average of the relative prices of 15 principal arti­
cles, shown in detail on pages 18 and 19:
North Atlantic................................................................
South Atlantic................................................................
North Central.... .............................................................
South Central..................................................................
W estern............................................................... ............

Price Feb. 15,
1912—

Price Mar. 15,
1912—

Higher Lower Higher Lower Higher Lower
than
than
than
than
than
than
Jan. 15, Jan. 15, Feb. 15, Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Mar. 15,
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

5.8
3.2
4.4
3.7
0.7

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

8.2
5.5
6.7
3.4
.1

7.0
4.6
7.6
4.6
2.4

United States..............................................................

3.7

5.3

5.8

Relative prices, weighted according to the average con­
sumption of the various articles of food in working­
men’s families, in each geographical division:
North Atlantic................................................................
South Atlantic................................................................
North Central..................................................................
South Central...................... : ..........................................
W estern............................................................................

8.7
3.7
6.5
4.2
1.1

11.9
6.0
8.6
3.7
1.8

9.2
4.3
8.8
4.3
4.1

United States...............................................................

5.9

7.5

7.3




Per
cent.

17

RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E, 1912,

PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF A L L A R T IC L ES OF
FOOD FOR W H IC H D A T A A R E SH O W N IN THIS R E P O R T , ETC.— Concluded.

Price Apr. 15,
1912—
Geographical divisions.

Simple average of the relative prices of 15 principal arti­
cles, shown in detail on pages 18 and 19:
North Atlantic........................ .......................................
South Atlantic................................................................
North Central..................................................................
South Central..................................................................
W estern............................................................................

Price May 15,
1912—

Price June 15,
1912—

Higher Lower Higher Lower Higher Lower
than
than
than
than
than
than
Apr. 15, Apr. 15, •May 15, May 15, June 15, June 15,
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.
1911.

Per
cent.
12.9
10.3
13.2
8.6
5.7

Per
cent.
■

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

14.8
13.8
14.4
10.3
5.3

10.5
11.1
11.0
7.3
3.6

United States..............................................................

11.0

12.6

9.2

Relative prices, weighted according to the average con­
sumption of the various articles of food in working­
men’s families, in each geographical division:
North Atlantic................................................................
South Atlantic................................................................
North Central..................................................................
South Central................................................................
W estern............................................................................

15.7
10.1
15.8
8.7
7.7

17.4
13.5
16.5
10.4
6.5

13.5
11.2
12.2
7.2
5.4

United States..............................................................

12.9

14.2

10.6

Per
cent.

The relative retail prices in the United States, considered as a whole,
of each of the 15 principal articles of food for the 22\ years, 1890 to
June, 1912, are presented in the table which follows. General Table
IY, in Part II of this Bulletin, shows similar data for the 18 months
from January, 1911, to June, 1912, for each of the five geographical
divisions. This table shows yearly prices for 1890 to 1911 and prices
each month from January, 1911, to June, 1912.
58317°— 12----- 2




18

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
R E L A T IV E R E T A IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF FOOD
[Average price for

Year or month.

Sirloin
steak.

Round
steak.

Rib roast.

Pork
chops.

Bacon,
smoked.

Ham,
smoked.

1890...............................................
1891 .............................................
1892....... .......................................
1893...............................................
1894...............................................

99.3
99.7
99.6
99.4
98.1

97.6
98.0
98.0
98.5
97.4

98.7
99.6
99.6
98.4
97.9

96.5
98.8
101.1
105.0
100.9

96.5
97.2
99.9
108.9
102.5

98.3
99.5
101.5
107.1
101.7

1895...............................................
1896..............................................
1897...............................................
1 8 9 8 ...........................................
1899...............................................

98.7
98.8
99.6
102.1
104.4

98.2
100.5
101.8
102.8
107.0

97.9
99.4
100.1
102.2
106.1

- 99.7
97.8
97.5
99.7
103.2

98.7
96.3
97.0
100.2
102.9

98.9
96.5
98.5
97.2
100.5

1900...............................................
1901...............................................
1902...............................................
1903...............................................
1904........ .....................................

107.1
109.4
114.6
110.6
111.0

109.8
114.0
122.3
116.8
120.8

109.3
112.7
118.6
117.0
117.0

108.9
119.0
127.8
126.1
123.1

110.3
121.3
135.9
140.4
138.5

106.9
111.1
120.6
122.1
119.4

1905..............................................
1906.............., ...............................
1907..............................................
1908..................................... .........
1909...............................................

110.6
114.2
116.7
119.9
126.1

120.0
124.4
128.4
135.5
140.6

116.2
120.5
123.0
126.7
132.2

125.0
135.9
140.9
144.6
158.7

139.3
150.5
157.7
163.2
176.4

119.4
127.8
131.0
133.8
142.1

1910...............................................
1911..............................................

134.0
134.9

149.9
152.6

137.7
138.6

178.3
170.3

204.4
197.2

159.4
155.9

1911 .
January...... ................................
February....................................
March..........................................

134.0
133.7
134.3

150.9
151.1
152.5

137.8
138.0
138.7

170.5
168.4
167.6

203.5
201.1
198.6

155.4
154.8
153.8

April............................... ............
May..............................................
J u n e ..........................................

134.3
135.8
136.2

153.0
154.2
155.1

139.8
140.0
139.-4

167.4
166.8
167.3

196.5
196.9
196.8

153.4
154.3
157.0

July......... ...................................
August........................................
September..................................

136.8
137.3
135.8

154.6
154. 7
153.2

138.4
138.9
138.8

171.0
180.7
183.4

199.3
200.1
199. 4

160.5
162.3
159.8

October.......................................
November...................................
December....................................

133.9
133.0
132.8

151.7
149.8
149.6

137.9
137.2
137.4

179.1
160.8
155.4

193.2
190.7
187.8

157.4
153.1
150.9

1913 .
January.......................................
February...................................
March..........................................

137.1
137.7
140.1

154.1
155.3
158.1

140.7
141.7
143.6

164.0
157.6
166.3

186.1
183.5
183.3

151.1
150.5
150.9

April.......................... ..................
M a y . . . . . . . . ........... ...................
June.........................................

146.9
157.3
159.5

167.3
179.9
184.0

150.4
160.5
163.8

185.6
188.2
186.0

190.2
195.5
196.7

155.3
159.7
161.3




19

EETAIL PBICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.
IN TH E U N IT E D STATES, 1890 TO JUNE, 1912, B Y AETICLES.
1890-1899=100.0.]

Lard,
pure.

Hens.

Wheat
flour.

Com
meal.

Eggs,
strictly
fresh.

Butter,
creamery.

Potatoes,
Irish.

Sugar,
granu­
lated.

Milk,
fresh.

98.5
100.0
104.4
119.2
106.4

102.8
104.8
104.2
104.3
98.2

110.2
112.4
104.0
95.1
88.3

101.3
111.5
107.7
104.0
104.4

100.3
105.6
105.3
105.5
97.4

99.2
105.7
106.8
108.6
102.0

109.0
117.1
95.4
111.8
101.8

120.8
103.1
96.9
102.6
95.2

100.4
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.3

99.8
92.1
89.0
93.5
97.1

97.3
96.1
92.3
96.8
103.4

89.6
94.2
104.7
106.9
94.8

101.0
92.8
91.2
92.9
92.9

98.8
90.3
94.0
97.9
101.6

97.4
93.1
93.7
95.8
97.6

90.6
78.8
92.5
103.9
98.8

91.8
96.2
94.3
99.7
99.6

99.4
100.1
100.0
99.8
98.8

104.9
119.6
135.6
126.0
116.3

99.6
105.0
113.6
119.3
120.6

94.6
94.9
95.6
102.1
118.3

95.6
107.6
123.9
122.1
122.9

99.1
107.7
119.4
125.1
131.1

101.2
103.0
109.8
110.2
108.1

92.8
114.0
116.7
114.7
119.0

103.9
102.1
• 92.8
93.7
100.4

100.0
101.4
104.1
107.4
107.4

115.8
127.3
133.5
134.3
150.5

123.6
128.0
131.3
134.9
145.7

118.6
108.3
118.2
127.1
138.1

123.5
124.5
133.5
142.6
145.7

131.3
134.2
138.2
142.8
154.7

111.4
118.3
127.3
127.9
134.3

109.3
114.6
122.2
129.8
133.4

101.8
97.2
98.7
101.3
100.0

108.1
110.0
118.9
123.2
126.2

172.9
145.3

155.0
151.6

135.9
127.9

147.9
147.2

158.2
150.2

139.9
131.3

119.5
157.0

102.5
111.1

131.6
132. 7

161.1
158.5
151.4

154.7
155.5
156.9

130.3
129.2
127.5

144.6
144.6
143.7

185.1
145.9
123.6

140.7
133.1
128.1

119.2
119.0
121.2

99.9
98.9
99.5

135.1
135.2
134.2

145.2
140.9
139.5

158.7
156.1
152.3

126.2
125.9
125.8

144.5
145.1
145.2

112.9
110.4
112.8

117.8
114.8
115.6

126.5
142.5
196.9

99.9
100.9
102.4

132.3
129.6
129.8

138.6
139.8
142.6

151.9
150.1
149.4

125.8
126.7
127.6

146.9
148.7
149.5

122.1
133.0
146.7

119.4
126.2
131,0

240.1
197.6
167.8

105.3
115.0
130.2

129.9
130.5
131.5

142.5
142.6
141.3

147.3
143.2
142.9

129.5
130.2
129.5

151.2
152.3
151.9

163.4
196.2
207.3

138.9
149.7
159.5

144.1
149.0
159.0

132.2
124.9
118.2

133.8
134.9
135.0

141.2
141.1
141.2

151.4
153.4
159.9

130.1
130.7
131.0

152.9
153.3
153.7

202.9
185.1
130.3

166.9
156.0
145.5

177.8
185.4
202.1

115.1
114.5
115.6

134.8
135.0
134.6

145.6
152.6
155.3

163.6
162.2
158.1

132.7
138.4
139.3

157.6
163.0
163.7

125.9
123.8
126.1

148.4
143.4
133.3

224.7
211.6
211.9

111.4
109.1
108.5

134.0
133.2
132.9




20

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.

In the above table, as in the preceding table of relative prices, the
average price for the 10-year period, 1890 to 1899, is the base, or 100.
The figures in the column for round steak, for example, indicate that
if the price of round steak for the 10-year period, 1890 to 1899, be
considered 100, the price in 1890 was. 97.6, or 2.4 per cent below
the average for 1890 to 1899; the price in 1900 was 109.8, or 9.8 per
cent above the average for 1890 to 1899; the price on June 15, 1912,
was 184.0, or 84.0 per cent above the average price for 1890 to
1899, etc.
In connection with the price quotations furnished the Bureau of
Labor each month, the retail merchants are invited to state "the
cause of any material advance or decline in the price of any article
since the middle of last month.” Quite a number of the merchants
are supplying such statements, and many of them are of much value
in studying prices. A few of the statements accompanying June
price reports follow. The name of the city but not of the dealer is
shown.
B altimore .— “ If the present high prices prevail much longer in
the wholesale market, I do not know what will become of the retail
dealers.”
B oston .—-“ Cheap sirloins are so high and poor that I am not
cutting any at present. Both grades of cattle have gone up, and
the above prices just about let me out without profit.”
B o s t o n .— “ Beef, especially on cheaper cuts, 1 0 to 2 0 per cent
higher.”
B oston .— “ I do not know the cause of the advance in the price of
meats, and the high price of meats is causing us to close our place of
business on or about July 4.”
Chicago .— “ Jobbing price on flour has advanced 80 cents per

barrel, and unless there is a decline in the near future retail price
will also advance.”
I ndianapolis .— “ Meat steadily advancing. Beef has gone up 5
cents per pound within the last 30 days.”
N e w H a v e n .— “ Beginning this week we will advance 2 cents per
pound on all meats, as we are paying the highest price for beef and
lambs in my time. I can not say the reason of this high cost of
meat; the jobber blames the farmer; the farmer blames the high
price of corn. * * * ”
N ew Y ork .— “ Meats in general are so high if prices continue
much longer will be obliged to close up business. Have already lost
about $200 since advance in prices.”
P hiladelphia .— “ No money in meats at the above prices.”
P hiladelphia .— “ The drop in butter is seasonable, although for
some reason not as low as it ought to be for this time of year.”



RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E, 1912.

21

P hiladelphia .— u We paid (Monday, June 17) 15J cents per pound
for rumps and rounds and 11^ cents per pound for chucks of beef,
the highest price in the history of our business. * * * ”
S alt L ake Cit y .— “ Everything seems to be at the top, but
nothing shows any decline.”
A few of the remarks accompanying the price reports for May 15
follow:
A tla n ta .— “ The wholesale cost of several items has advanced—
fresh meats, flour, and butter— but we are still holding at old prices.”
B oston .— “ Probably this is the last month we will be in the provi­
sion business. The high prices of meats are driving us out of busi­
ness. We have been in business 15 years, but must get out before we
are put out.”
Cin cin n a ti .— “ The recent floods have had the effect of sending
cattle to market before their maturity, and grain being the highest in
years has had the tendency to give us the highest meat we have
handled in many years. Until the grass cattle begin to come in,
which is about six weeks hence, we can look for no drop in prices.
This morning (May 15) we paid 8| cents per pound for steer cattle.
Ten years ago the same cattle cost us‘ 5i cents per pound.”
F all K iv e r .— “ The high prices of meats have cut our meat busi­
ness almost in two. The cheaper cuts, which we ordinarily sell for
6 to 10 cents per pound, now we have to get 10 to 14 cents.”
I ndianapolis .— “ * * * Meat prices have made a sharp advance
owing to the scarcity in the grades of meat that we have been selling
(good medium grades) and have been compelled to handle higherpriced meats.”
I ndianapolis .— “ Owing to the high price of feed, the milk supply
this month is the lowest for May on record.”
Los A ng eles .— “ The decline of price on potatoes is due to specu­
lators losing their grip on the market. Shipments have arrived from
other States, and as new potatoes will come in freely in a few weeks,
they had to let go.”
M emphis .— “ The price of meats has advanced. I was compelled
to advance my prices on same. I have paid more for meats this year
than I ever paid since I have been in business. I don't see any
change for some time to come.”
M il w a u k e e .— “ W e were compelled to raise our price of beef
because of the raise in the wholesale price.”
N e w H a v e n .— “ These prices given for meats are not sufficient to
cover cost; as I am expecting a drop in price do not want to put up
prices to extreme.”




22

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.

P ittsburgh .— “ Good beef is scarce and high, and is cause of driv­
ing other meat up. Long, severe winter and high price of grain sup­
posed to be the reason.”
P ittsburgh .— “ Am buying milk cheaper this month, therefore can
sell cheaper.”
P ortland .— “ Raise of prices for beef and pork is due to shortage
of stock.”
S alt L a k e Cit y .— “ Tendency still upward. Sugar 20 cents
advance; flour also 20 cents advance since last report. Both fresh
and canned meats still advancing wholesale.”
BREAD WEIGHTS.

This report includes scaling weights (weights of dough before
baking) on the 15th of January, February, March, April, May, and
June, 1912, of some 280 principal brands of baker’s wheat bread as
reported by more than 140 bakers. Reports were secured from a
few bakeries showing bread weights on corresponding dates in 1911.
Comparisons of weights on June 15, 1912, and June 15, 1911, are
available for 60 brands, and of that number the weight of 4 brands
was heavier on June 15, 1912, than on the corresponding date in 1911,
the weight of 27 brands was unchanged, and the weight of 29 brands
was lighter.
The weights of wheat bread shown in General Table II, in Part II
of this Bulletin, were reported by several representative bakeries in
each city. In order to avoid identification, names of firms and brands
are not disclosed, but each firm has been given a number and each
brand reported by a firm has been designated by a letter.
A few of the remarks accompanying the bakers’ reports of bread
weights on June 15, follows:
B altim ore .— “ Sharp advance in cost of flour.”
D e n v e r .— “ Materials on the increase.”
F all R iv e r .— “ R eductions in weight caused by higher cost of
materials.”




BETAIL PKICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

23

COAL.

Comparing retail prices of coal in ton lots, for household use, on
January 15, 1912, with prices on January 15, 1911, the average ad­
vance for 30 cities on Pennsylvania anthracite white ash, stove size,
was 0.6 per cent; the average advance for 28 cities on Pennsylvania
anthracite white ash, chestnut size, was 1.5 per cent; and the average
decline for 32 cities on bituminous was 1 per cent.
Comparing retail prices of coal in ton lots, for household use, on
April 15, 1912, with prices on April 15, 1911, the average advance for
29 cities on Pennsylvania anthracite white ash, stove size, was 6.4
per cent; the average advance for 27 cities on Pennsylvania anthra­
cite white ash, chestnut size, was 7.2 per cent; and the average
advance for 32 cities on bituminous was 3.2 per cent.
The table which follows compares, for each of the cities for which
data were secured, prices on January 15, 1912, with prices on January
15, 1911, and also prices on April 15, 1912, with prices on April 15,
1911. Three descriptions of coal are included— Pennsylvania anthra­
cite white ash, stove size; Pennsylvania anthracite white ash, chest­
nut size; and bituminous. The comparisons are of prices of coal for
household use and sold in ton lots. General Table V, in Part II of
this Bulletin, shows actual prices of the three descriptions of coal
above named, in ton lots, in half-ton lots, and in lots of less than
one-fourth ton.
The price on April 15, 1912, as compared with the price on April 15,
1911, was higher for Pennsylvania anthracite, stove size, in 25 out
of 29 cities from which reports were secured, and there was no change
in.price in the remaining 4 cities. During the same period, Pennsyl­
vania anthracite, chestnut size, advanced in 25 out of 27 cities, and
the price remained unchanged in 2 cities; and bituminous advanced
in 17 out of 32 cities, the price remained unchanged in 12 cities, and
declined in 3 cities.
In the North Atlantic division Pennsylvania anthracite white ash
coal, stove size, was 11.3 per cent higher on April 15, 1912, than on
April 15, 1911; Pennsylvania anthracite white ash, chestnut size, was
11.9 per cent higher; and bituminous was 11 per cent higher.




24

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,

PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES OF COAL IN TON LOTS FOR
HOUSEHOLD USE: PRICE ON TH E 15TH OF JA N U A R Y AN D A P R IL , 1912, COMPARED
W IT H PRICE ON TH E CORRESPONDING D ATE IN 1911, B Y CITIES AN D GEOGRAPH­
ICAL DIVISIONS.
Pennsylvania anthracite white ash.
Bituminous.
Stove.

City and geographical
division.

North Atlantic division:
Buffalo, N . Y .................

Price Jan.
15,1912.

Per Per Per
cent. cent. cent.
8.6
8.5
16.6
9.8
8.7

3.4
(!) ' gT
8.9
3.1
0)
0)

12.0
8.2
19.0
11.2
8.3

20.6
12.4
7.6
.3
19.4

0)
.4
3.0

G)

20.6
11.7
6.9
1.4
20.0

Providence, R. I ...........

C1)

Kansas City, Mo............
Milwaukee, W is.............
Minneapolis, Minn........
Omaha, Nebr.................
St. Louis, Mo.................
South Central division:
Birmingham, Ala..........
Dallas, Tex.....................
Little Rock, Ark...........
Louisville, K y ...............
Memphis, Tenn.............
New Orleans, La...........
Western division:
Denver, Colo.................
Los Angeles. Cal............
Salt Lake City, U tah...
San Francisco, Cal........
Seattle, Wash.................

(i)

G)
0)
0)
3.4
0)
(0
C1)

0)
3.6
0)

'W

G)

(1)

1.2
3.6
(1) " o r
1.0
0)
(i)
0)
0)
(2)
3.8
(2)

0)

9.1
6.7
3.6
7.4

(2)
(2)

6.3
5.9
1.0
3.4
(2)
M
(2)

......

2.3
G)
3.6
3.4
1.1

(2)
(2)

G)

G)

0)
0)
w

G)

'W

0)
.5
.8
G)
2.3

G)

(2)
3.8
(2)

G)

......

Per
cent.

Per
cent.

G)

G) '

G)

G)

G)

G)

(2)

0)

11.3
6.7
4.1
2.2
0)

G)

1.9
2.3
.9
1.0
(2)

G)

19.1
.1
.8

5.6

G)
G)
G)

G)
G)
G)

G)

No data.

10.5

G)

' gT

2.2

G)
G)
G)

G)
G)
G)

G)
"i.Y

1.0
.1

G)

3.1
2.3

14.5
(!)

.5

3.3
7.7

7.7

G)

G)
G)

G)
G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

'T o "

11.0
1.2
3.2

.9
1.2

G)

.3

3.4

*"gV "

1.3
1.0

7.2
2

gT

G)

G)

11.9
6.7
4.3
2.2

1.5

‘

9.5
9.7
5.2
23.5

G)

G)
G)

G)
6.7
4.9
1.0
4.0

G)

G)

0)

.8

4.9
1.6

G)

G)*

G)

G)

(i)

G)

G)

G)
G)
G)
G)
G)

h)

(2)

G)

G)
G)
G)
G)
G)

G)
(2)

G)

G)
G)

(!)
4.6

G)
G)
G)
G)
G)

G)

G)

G)
G)

(2)
(2)

(2)
0)

(2j
0)

10.0

G)
G)

G)

4.6

G)
G)

(2)

(!)

G)

G)

(2j

18.9

G)
G)

G)

0)

i No change.

Per
cent.

1.7
4.6

G)
G)

(2)

6.4

Low­
er
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

G)
G)

G)

0)

(i)

.6

High­
er
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

' G)""

G)

Price Apr.
15,1912.

Low­
er
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

G)
G)
G)
G)

G)
G)

(2)
0)

United States.............

High­
er
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

0.1

5.7
5.1
5.3
2.8
7.8

1.2

C1

.7
.9
.3
1.0
0)

8.8
6.7
3.6
7.5

G)

3.4
2.0
.5
0)

Low­
er
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

Price Jan.
15,1912.

Per Per Per Per Per
cent. cent. cent. cent. cent.

2.3

4.9
1.6

m

Low­
er
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

2.3

4.6
5.1
5.5
1.4
7.4

(i)
(1)

0)

North Atlantic division.. . .
South Atlantic division. . . .
North Central division........
South Central division........
Western division...................




High­
er
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

2.1
(i)
6.4
(!)
(!)

Low­
er
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

High­
er
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

Price Apr.
15,1912.

Per
cent.

(i)

Higher
than
Apr.
15,
1911.

Price Jan.
15,1912.

Lower
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

0)
.8
1.1

North Central division:
Chicago, III.....................
Cincinnati, Ohio............
Cleveland, Ohio.............
Detroit, Mich.................
Indianapolis, Ind..........

Price Apr.
15,1912.

Higher
than
Jan.
15,
1911.

New Haven, Conn........
New York, N. Y ...........
Philadelphia, Pa...........

South Atlantic division:
Baltimore, M d...............
Jacksonville, Fla...........
Richmond, V a ...............
Washington, D. C.........

Chestnut.

3.5
5.0

4.2
1.7
1.0

3.5
5.0

.3
1.7
3.2

25

EETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

GAS.

Net prices of gas for household use are shown in this report for
April 15, 1912, and for purposes of comparison, prices on April 15,
1911, are also giyen. Prices are reported for manufactured gas from
54 companies in 36 cities; for natural gas from 9 companies in 5
cities; and for mixed manufactured and natural gas from 1 company.
Only 8 companies reported any change in price on April 15, 1912,
as compared with April 15, 1911. Seven companies supplying man­
ufactured gas reduced prices and 1 company supplying natural gas
increased prices, as follows:
Boston, Mass. :
Company C, reduced price from $0.90 to $0.85.
Washington, D. C.:
Company B, reduced price from $1.00 to $0.85.
Chicago, 111, price reduced from $0.85 to $0.80.
Detroit, Mich.:
Company A, reduced price from $0.80 to $0.75.
Milwaukee, Wis., price reduced from $0.80 to $0.75.
New Orleans, La., price reduced from $1.15 to $1.10.
Denver, Colo., price reduced from $0.90 to $0.85.
Kansas City, Mo., natural-gas price increased from $0.25 to
$0.27.
The net price per thousand cubic feet charged on April 15, 1911,
and on April 15, 1912, by each of the companies reporting, is shown
in the table which follows:
N E T PRICE PER TH OUSAND CUBIC F E E T OF GAS, FOR H OUSEH OLD USE, ON A P R IL
15, 1911, AND ON A P R IL 15, 1912, B Y CITIES AND B Y COMPANIES.
M ANUFACTURED G AS.
Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.
City and company.

City and company.
Apr. 15,
1911.




Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1912.

Apr. 15,
1912.

N O R T H A T L A N T IC D IV .— C o n .

N O R T H A T L A N T IC D IV ISIO N .

Boston, Mass:
Company A . . .
Company B . . .
Company C. . .
Buffalo, N. Y ........
Fall River, Mass. .
Manchester, N. H .
Newark, N. J.........
New Haven> Conn,
New York, N. Y .:
Company A . . .
Company B . . .
Company C . . .
Company D . . .
Company E . . .
Company F . . .
Company G . . .
Company H . ..
Company I ----Company J___

Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.

$0.80
.85

1.10

1.00
.95
.80
.80

1.00

1.00
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80

$

0.80
.85
.85
1.00
.80
1.10
1.00
.95
.80
.80
1.00
1.00
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80

Philadelphia, Pa.:
Company A ........................
Company B ........................
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Company A 1.......................
Company B ........................
Providence, R. I .......................
Scranton, Pa.:
Company A ........................
Company B ........................

$1.00

$ 1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00
1.00

1.00

.90

.90

.95

.95

1.00

1.00
.90
1. 20
1. 25
.90

SO U TH ATLAN TIC D IVISIO N .

Atlanta, Ga................................
Baltimore, M d...........................
Charleston, S. C........................
Jacksonville, Fla.......................
Richmond, V a ...........................
Washington, D. C.:
Company A .........................
Company B ........................

1 For lighting purposes only.

.90

1.20
1.25
.90
.85

1.00

.85
. 85

26

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,

N E T PRICE PE R TH OUSAND CUBIC F E E T OF GAS, FOR H O USEH OLD USE, ON AP R IL
15,1911, AND ON A P R IL 15,1912, B Y CITIES AND B Y COMPANIES—Concluded.
M A N U F A C T U R E D G A S —Concluded.
Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.

Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.
City and company.

City and company.
Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1912.

$0. 85
.80

$0.80
.80

.80
.80

.75
.80

.60
.60
.80
.85
1.15
.80

.60
.60
.75
.85
1.15
.80

N O R T H C E N T R A L D I V IS IO N .

SOUTH

Chicago, 111.................................
Cleveland, Ohio.........................
Detroit, Mich.:
Company A .........................
Company B .........................
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Company A .........................
Company B .........................
Milwaukee, W is........................
Minneapolis, Minn....................
Omaha, Nebr.............................
St. Louis, Mo.............................

Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1912.

$1.00
1.25
1.00
1.00
1.15

$1.00
0)
1.00
1.00
1.10

.90

.85

.80
.75
.95
1.30
4. 92!
1.00

.80
.75
.95
1.30
4.92!
1.00

C E N T R A L D IV IS IO N .

Birmingham, A la.......... ..........
Little Rock, Ark.......................
Louisville, K y.2.........................
Memphis, Tenn.........................
New Orleans, L a.......................
W E S T E R N D IV I S I O N .

Denver, Colo..............................
Los Angeles, Cal.:
Company A .........................
Company B .........................
Portland, Oreg...........................
Salt Lake City, U tah3.........
San Francisco, Cal....................
Seattle, Wash............................

1 Natural gas distributed after July, 1911.
2 Price 75 cents for cooking and heating purposes.
* Price 90 cents for cooking and heating purposes.
* Gross rate.
NATURAL GAS.
Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.

Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.
City and company.

City and company.
Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1912.
Pittsburgh, Pa.—Concluded.
Company G .........................

N O R T H A T L A N T IC D IV ISIO N .

Buffalo, N. Y .i ..........................
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Company C 1.......................
Company D ........................
Company E . . . ...................
Company F 1......................

$0.30

Apr. 15,
1912.

$0.27£

$0.27J

.30
.30
.25

.30
.30
.27

$0.30
N O R T H C E N T R A L D IV ISIO N .

.27^
.274
•27|
.27*

.27*
.274
.274
.27J

Cincinnati, Ohio........................
Cleveland, Ohio1................. .....
Kansas City, Mo........................

1 For cooking and heating purposes only.
M A N U F A C T U R E D A N D N A T U R A L G A S , M IX E D .
Price per 1,000 cubic
feet.
City.
Apr. 15,
1911.

Apr. 15,
1912.

SOU TH C E N T R A L D IVISIO N .

Louisville, K y.1.............................................................................................................................




1 For cooking and heating purposes only.

$0.65

$0.65

27

RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

EXPLANATION OF SCOPE AND METHOD.

This report presents for each of 39 of the most important indus­
trial cities in the various sections of the United States the retail prices
of the principal articles of food, the weight of the principal brands of
wheat bread, the retail prices of anthracite and bituminous coal, and
the net price of gas for household use.
The cities included are important industrial cities representing 32
States. In a general way the cities selected were those having the
largest population in the section of the country in which located, but
in addition two smaller cities were included— Fall River, which is a
textile center in Massachusetts, and Scranton, which is situated in
the anthracite-coal section of Pennsylvania. Within the 39 cities
live one-fifth of the total number of people, two-fifths of the urban
population, and approximately one-third of the total number engaged
in gainful occupations (not including those in agricultural pursuits) in
continental United States.
The cities included and the number of firms or companies in each
city furnishing information for this report are as follows:
N U M BER OF FIRMS OR COMPANIES FURNISHING INFO R M ATIO N , B Y CITIES.

City.

Atlanta, G a .............
Baltimore, Md.........
Birmingham, A la ...
Boston, Mass...........
Buffalo, N. Y ...........
Charleston, S. C----Chicago, 111...............
Cincinnati, Ohio___
Cleveland, Ohio___
Dallas, Tex...............
Denver, Colo............
Detroit, Mich...........
Fall River, Mass___
Indianapolis, In d ...
Jacksonville, F la . . .
TTansas City, Mo___
Little Rock, A r k .. .
Los Angeles, Cal___
Louisville, K y .........
Manchester, N. H ..
Memphis, Tenn.......

Num­
ber of
retail
mer­
chants
report­
ing
prices
of
prin­
cipal
ar­
ticles
of
food.
16
21
16
16
20
21
24
20
19
13
13
17
17
13
14
15
16
17
13
12
17




Num­
ber of
bak­
eries
report­
ing
weight
of prin­
cipal,
brands
of
wheat
bread.

3
3
2
3
3
2
4
5
6
4
3
5
2
3
5
4

Num­
ber of
coal
dealers
report­
ing
prices
ofcoal
for
house­
hold
use.

4
4
8
2
3
6
6
4
5

Num­
ber of
gas
com­
panies
report­
ing
prices
of gas
for
house­
hold
use.

1
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
1

4

3
6
2
4
1

1
2
1
2
1
1
1

5
3

2
5

2
2

3

2
5

1
1

4

5

City.

Num­
ber of
retail
mer­
chants
report­
ing
prices
of
prin­
cipal
ar­
ticles
of
food.

Milwaukee, W is .. . .
Minneapolis, Minn..
Newark, N. J...........
New Haven, Conn..
New Orleans, La___
New York, N. Y . .
Omaha, Nebr...........
Philadelphia, Pa . . .
Pittsburgh, Pa........
Portland, Oreg........
Providence, R. I ___
Richmond, V a.........
St. Louis, Mo...........
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Francisco, Cal..
Scranton, Pa........
Seattle, W ash..........
Washington, D. C ..

19
16
14
11
23
37
13
25
18
19
13
17
12
15
24
18
17
13

Total.................

675

Weight of bread fixed by city ordinance.

Num­
ber of
bak­
eries
report­
ing
weight
of prin­
cipal
brands
of
wheat
bread.

(!)

5
5
2
3
4
9
2
3

5
3
4
3
4
3

4
4

Num­
ber of
coal
dealers
report­
ing
prices
of coal
for
house­
hold
use.

6
7
7
7
4
9
5
10
5
3
4

4
4

5

Num­
ber of
gas
com­
panies
report­
ing
prices
of gas
for
house­
hold
use.

1
1
1
1
1
9
1
2

7

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

3

2
9

2

142

168

61

28

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
FOOD.

The present report gives retail prices of the principal articles of
food in 39 industrial cities in the United States for the 15th of Janu­
ary, February, March, April, May, and June, 1912, and for compara­
tive purposes the prices on the corresponding dates of 1911. Sum­
maries are also presented covering the 22J years from 1890 to June,
1912, inclusive. Previous investigations of retail prices have been
made and published by the Bureau of Labor, as follows: Eighteenth
Annual Report, covering 1890 to 1903; Bulletin No. 59, covering
1904; Bulletin No. 65, covering 1905; Bulletin No. 71, covering 1906;
Bulletin No. 77, covering 1907; Bulletin No. 105, covering 1907
to 1911.
The retail dealers who kindly furnished information for this report
were selected through personal visits of agents of the Bureau of
Labor, and are those selling largely to the families of American,
English, Irish, German, and Scandinavian wage earners. A com­
paratively few “ down-town ” stores are included, but the neighbor­
hood stores predominate. So-called “ cut-rate” stores are not
included. “ Chain stores” (a number of stores in one city owned or
controlled by one firm) are not included except in a very few cities
where such stores are so numerous that they form a very important
factor in the city’s trade. The stores selected, with a very few ex­
ceptions, deliver all purchases when requested.
After the agent of the Bureau had selected a store arrangements
were made for the retail merchant to send to the Bureau a statement
of prices of the various commodities on or about the 15th of each
succeeding month. Return visits to the various firms are made by
agents of the Bureau whenever inquiries concerning the monthly
price quotations make this necessary.
The grade of articles quoted is that sold in each city in stores pat­
ronized largely by families of American, English, Irish, German, and
Scandinavian wage earners.
The Bureau, has not attempted to quote prices for an article of
identical grade throughout the 39 cities. For almost every article
this would be absolutely impossible, as the grade varies not only from
city to city, but also from firm to firm within the same city, and the
grade even varies to some extent from month to month within the
same store. Stores which vary in a marked degree from day to day
or month to month the grade of articles handled have not been
included, but in every store there is necessarily some variation in
grade.
Brief descriptions of each of the articles and necessary explanations
concerning each were presented in the report printed in Bulletin 105
(pp. 39 to 45), of the Bureau of Labor. A few additions to those
descriptions
and explanations are necessary in this report.



RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

29

Chuck roast.

Chuck roast has been, added to the list of articles. This is a cut of
beef from the forequarter, which includes five ribs and part of the
shoulder blade and extends from the neck to the point where the
“ chuck” is separated from the “ ribs.” The prices quoted are for
the best cut, which is next to the butt end of the “ ribs.” No relative
prices have been computed for chuck roast.
Wheat flour.

The name of the brand quoted has been entered in connection with
the price. Where a merchant has quoted a brand which carries his
firm name, the flour has been entered as “ special brand,” in order
not to disclose the identity of firms who are furnishing information
to the Bureau.
Storage eggs.

Prices are quoted for storage eggs for the months of January and
February. Some few firms continued to quote “ storage” eggs for
the spring months, but those quotations have hot been entered, as
it appeared that in some cases, at least, the article quoted as “ stor­
age” during the spring months was eggs “ iced in transit,” and not
eggs that had been in storage. No relative prices have been com­
puted for storage eggs.
Milk.

In connection with the price quotations, this report indicates
whether the milk is sold “ raw” or “ pasteurized.”
BREAD W E IG H TS.

The weights of wheat bread, tabulated separately by cities, firms,
and brands, for January to June, 1912, are the weights at which the
respective breads were scaled on the 15th of each of the indicated
months, and, where available, corresponding information for the same
months of 1911 is shown for comparison. This scaling weight is the
weight of the loaf before baking. While it would be highly desirable
to present the weight of the loaf as actually purchased by the con­
sumer, the complications involved in the relation of the scaled weight
to the weight of the bread when it passes over the retailer’s counter
were found to be such that it was impossible to do so. The loss of
weight in baking varies with the formula, with the style of loaf, and
with the temperature of the oven. A further element of uncertainty
affecting weights enters before the consumer actually gets the loaf.
The weight, of course, varies with the time intervening between the
removal of the loaf from the oven and its final distribution to the



30

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.

consumer, the loss by evaporation also being partly determined by
the conditions under which the bread is kept and by the state of the
atmosphere.
The customary loss in baking is variously estimated by bakers,
but it may be said that a loaf scaled at 18 ounces will, when cold, if
handled under ordinary conditions, weigh not far from 16 ounces^
and a loaf scaled at 16 ounces will, when baked and cooled, weigh
about 14^ ounces. As noted above, however, the range of loss varies
widely.
From Table II, in Part II of this Bulletin, for each city, all fancy,
special, graham, rye, and restaurant breads are excluded. All
wrapped and so-called “ French” breads are so designated.
In the use of these tables it must be borne clearly in mind that
weight is only one factor entering into the bread question as an
element in the study of prices. The quality of materials used varies
widely and is likely to be reflected in the weight at which the loaf is
scaled.
It is hoped that at some future time it may be possible to present
baked weights as well as scaled weights; but, as already explained
in the present report, this was impracticable. The scaled weight
tabulated is an accurate statement of the average weight of the loaves
of each brand on the specified date.
The most representative bakeries in every city included in this
report have promptly furnished to the Bureau of Labor information
concerning bread weights on the 15th of each month.
COAL.

This report gives prices of coal, for household use, on the 15th of
January and April, 1912, and for comparative purposes prices are also
entered for the corresponding dates in 1911. The prices shown are
those quoted by the retail trade for household use. The table of prices
shows Pennsylvania anthracite white ash coal, both in stove size and in
chestnut size; bituminous coal, of several kinds; and in a few cities other
varieties, such as Colorado, Welsh, and Australian coals. Prices are
quoted for sales “ in ton lots,” “ in half-ton lots,” and “ in lots of less
than one-fourth ton.” The prices were quoted by coal dealers, who
kindly supplied the information at the request of the Bureau of Labor.
In some cities practically all sales for household use were of anthracite
coal, and in other cities of bituminous coal. The coal dealers in each
city were asked to quote prices on the kind of bituminous coal usually
sold for household use. The prices quoted are for coal delivered to
customers, but do not include charges for storing in cellar or coal bin
except when noted.



RETAIL PRICES, 1890 TO JU N E , 1912.

31

GAS.

This report gives prices of gas, for household use, on the 15th of
April, 1912, and for purposes of comparison the price on the corre­
sponding date in 1911 has been entered. The prices quoted are the
net rates charged for gas for household use as distinguished from use
by manufacturing plants and industrial establishments. The prices
are the same for gas for illuminating, cooking, and heating purposes,
except as noted in the table. Prices are in most cases for manu­
factured gas, but natural gas has also been quoted where that is in
general use. The data were furnished by the gas companies, who
kindly responded to the Bureau’s request for this information.

Part II of this report includes five general tables, as follows:
Table I.— Retail prices of the principal articles of food on the 15th
of each month, January to June, 1911, and January to June, 1912;
by cities and by firms.
Table II.— Bread weights: Scaling weight (weight of dough before
baking), in ounces, of the principal brands of wheat bread on the
15th of each month, January to June, 1911, and January to June, 1912,
by cities and by firms and brands.
Table III.— Per cent of increase or decrease in retail prices of the
principal articles of food: Price on the 15th of January, February,
March, April, May, and June, 1912, compared with price on the
corresponding dates in 1911, by cities and by articles.
Table IV .— Relative retail prices of the principal articles of food,
January, 1911, to June, 1912, by geographical divisions.
Table V.— Retail prices of coal, for household use, on the 15th of
each month, January and April, 1911, and January and April, 1912,
by cities and by firms.