CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER 1957

Transcription

1 Released October 25, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER Consumer prices in U.S. cities advanced.1 percent between August and, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Higher prices for housing, apparel, and most other major groups of goods and services more than offset substantial reductions in food prices. Prices of commodities other than foods as veil as services each rose an average of *4 percent during the month* The Consumer Price, advancing to its 13th consecutive record high, was at ( =1), 3*4 percent higher than a year ago. FOOD Food prices dropped.8 percent between August and as more plentiful supplies of fresh produce became available. This is the first month since last March in which food prices have declined. The food price index, at 117. percent of the average, was 3.4 percent higher than a year ago. Prices of fresh fruits fell 8.7 percent, due primarily to sharp reductions in prices of apples, as the beginning of the autumn harvest replenished depleted supplies. Prices of bananas and grapes also were lower, but orange prices advanced. Fresh vegetable prices dropped 7.5 percent, with lower prices for most items in the group, especially lettuce, potatoes, sweetpotatoes, tomatoes, and onions. Prices of processed fruits and vegetables showed little on the average and the decline for the fruits and vegetables group as a whole averaged 5.4 percent. The decline of 1.4 percent in average prices of meats, poultry, and fish resulted primarily from lower prices for frying chickens (down 5.8 percent) and for all cuts of pork; prices of bacon fell 2.4 percent, ham 3.4 percent, and pork chops 2.3 percent. Beef and veal prices were.4 percent higher on the average, due to a rise of 2. percent in prices of chuck roast. Prices of dairy products registered their largest monthly advance since July 1954, as fresh milk prices rose in half the cities surveyed in. Egg prices advanced 8.9 percent to a national average of 65 cents a dozen. Prices of coffee dropped 3*4 percent. Lunches in restaurants were.5 percent higher than last month. HOUSING The advance of.5 percent in the housing index resulted from higher prices in all its component subgroups. Housefurnishings prices registered their largest monthly increase since February, as higher prices were reported for kitchenware, household textiles, and some appliances. Residential rents were up percent and costs of home repairs and maintenance advanced.4 percent. The rise of.8 percent in prices of solid fuels and fuel oil resulted from seasonal price increases for anthracite and bituminous coal. Gas and electricity averaged.4 percent higher, due to increased bills for gas. OTHER COMMODITIES Apparel prices rose.7 percent, primarily because fall and winter AND SERVICES clothing (especially women's and girls 1 ) returned to the market at prices higher than the end-of-season sale prices. Women's and girls 1 wool coats, women's wool dresses, girls' wool skirts, and men's wool suits and sweaters had higher price tags. The advance of.6 percent in the reading and recreation group resulted from higher prices for newspapers, toys, and movie admissions. Higher fees for group hospitalization insurance and for professional services were the major factors in the rise of.3 percent in costs of medical care.

2 2 Total transportation was und on the average as transit fares advanced in a few cities and private transportation costs declined.1 percent; further reductions in dealers' prices of new automobiles (down 1.3 percent) more than offset higher prices of used cars, tires, gasoline, and increased automobile insurance rates. TABLE 1: Consumer Price United States city average, all items and special groups es and percent s for selected dates Group All items All items less food All items less shelter *A11 commodities *A11 commodities less food Durables *Nondurable8 *A11 services- *A11 services less rent Sept es (19A7-A9=1) Aug. July Sept. June M Year All items less food- All items less shelter All commodities All commodities less f o o d Durables - - Nondurable s All services- All services less rent to from Aug..1.3 July Sept. June Year 19? U Purchasing power of the consumer dollar Sept Aug $.83 ( =$!.)** July.83 Sept..85 June.98 Year 1.68 * These indexes have been revised to reflect s in the classification of items included in Shelter. See Table A (p. 6-a) for explanation and complete table of revised index numbers. ** To calculate purchasing power of the consumer dollar on any other base, divide the index for the desired base date by the index for the comparison date.

3 TABUS 2s Consumer Price -- United States city average, all Items and i i inlllj groups indexes and percent s for selected dates 3 es (19*7-*9»1) August July June Tear Group This Last 2 months Last month month ago year Pre-Korea Pre-World War II All items * Food 1/ i *7.1 Food at home U *7.1 Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish *1.6 Dairy products *9.8 Fruits and vegetables lilt * *6.3 Other foods at home U ? 9*.l *8.* Housing 2/, * Rent li Jb Oas and electricity *. 9 Solid fuels and fuel oil * 1b *.l * 53.* Household operation * Men's and bqys' Women's and girls' Footwear Other apparel * Public Private Medical ear* lt 13U. 15.* Personal care lu9 12b Reading and recreation Jb 18.1i Other goods and services to from: August July June Year 193? All items Food -.8 Food at home Uw9 1*5 Cereals and bakexy products k teats, poultry, and fish - i.li luo l.h *7.9 Other foods at ham Food away from home.5.9 lu2 (V) (*/) 4 3.It 16.li 1*8.li U 66. Rent.It 1.7 2lu Oas and electricity It Solid fuels and fuel oil.8.7 lu *2.6 Housefurnlshings *.* ll.li Other apparel.3.1* Public.3 5 lu Private li Reading and recreation.6.8 U.5 io Other goods and services jj 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 11 (such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). */ Hot available.

4 4 TABLE 3* Consumer Price All items es for selected dates U.S. city average and 2 large cities ( =1) City August June tear United States city average..,..,- 1/ Cities priced monthly %/ Chicago Detroit Los Angeles New York 12lu U U» Cities priced in March, June,, December 3/ Jane June Year Atlanta Baltimore Cincinnati St. Louis San Francisco h/ 11.3 " * Cities priced in February, May, August, November 3/ August May August May Tear Houston - Seattle U li lt Cities priced in January, April, July, October 3/ July April July April Year Boston Kansas City Minneapolis Pittsburgh Portland, Oregon * ioi.u 5/ 12.1 ~ / This index on the base of =1 is / Rents priced bimonthly. 2/ Foods, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly. U Mfcy. 3/ June. TABLE 4» Consumer Price s fron August to U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly All items and commodity groups City All items Food Housing Apparel Transportation Medical care Fersonal care Reading and recreation Other goods & services United States city average Chicago- Detroit Los Angeles New York Philadelphia « U li

5 TABLX 5 : Consumer Price All items and commodity groups 5 es and pereemt s, June to U.S. city average and 1 cities priced in U.S. Group City Atlmmta Balti- Chicago Cincin- Detroit Los lev Phila- St. Sam Average more nati Angeles York delphia Louis Francisco es (19*7-49.1) All items Food * * * Food at bene ^.5 11* * 11* *.5 117*7 Cereals and bakery products * *.6 1*.1 Meats, poultry, and fish * 16.* Dairy products * * 11* * 15.5 > Fruits and vegetables * ? * Other foods at bone *. 1 ll*.l * Rent *.8 1** * * * * Solid fuels and fuel oil * * l**.l 1 3 *. 15. Housefurnishings * Household operation * Men's and boy*' * 11.* Women's and girls* * *.* * * * * llt.3 1*7.8 1* * **.* 15.7 Public ier.3 19* * * Private * * * Medical care *1.7 1*.* 1* O 129.* 1*.8 15* * Reading and recreation Other goods and services * 12*.1! 1 from June to All items Food * Food at home m Cereals and bakery products * Meats, poultry, and fish * Dairy products * 3.* Fruits and vegetables * * Other foods at home * 5.1 * *.* * *.9 Housing * /.9 1/.6 1/. 8.5 Gas and electricity *.5.7 Solid fuels and fuel oil *.6 * Housefurnishings * * Household operation Apparel Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Other apparel * Transportation Public * Private Medical care Personal care Beading and recreation Other goods and services * 1/ Change Tram July to.

6 TABIC 61 CoBswr Price Food and its subgroups indexes and percent s, August to U.S. city average and 2 ]«if cities City Total food Total Cereals and Meats, poultry, Dairy Fruits and Other food at1m me bakery products and fish products vegetables foods at hoae U.S. city average * * lli*.3-5.1* Atlanta 115.H -.3 ill*.5 _.3 12U U 1.5 Baltimore * * U UU.l.1* Boston U Chicago llfc.o l.l U - h Cincinnati U * U*« Cleveland !*.l * U Detroit & B * 12l* - U Bouston llli * Ifcnsas City * Loe Angeles 119.1*.1* 116.!* * Minneapolis lllwl* * L. O 17.1* U J* 2.3 lew York * * lllwl.8 Philadelphia * -1.1* 117.1* * UU.l. 8 Pittsburgh lllwl 2. 11U.9 - i*.9 12U Portland, Oreg ijk 131* St. Louis o3 1U* l*.6 - J* 16.li ? 1 San Francisco 119.U * * Serantom 113.1* U * U Seattle Ui« U * Washington, D.C l.k Food and unit Goreals and bakery products; Flour, wheat 5 ib. Biscuit mix 2 oz. Corn meal n>. Boiled oats 2 oz. Corn flakes 12 oe. Bread, white ib. Soda crackers ib. Vanilla cookies 7 oz. Heats, poultry, and fish: Round steak n>. Chuck romt ib. Hamburger ib. Veal cutlets ib. Pork chops, center cut ib. Bacon, sliced ib. Ham, whole ib. Frankfurters ib. Luncheon meat, canmed 12 oz. Frying chickens, ready-to*cook ib. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen ib. Salmon, pink, canned ie oz. Tuna fish, canned a to oz. Dairy products; Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) qt. Ice cream Pt. Butter ib. Cheese, American process ib. Milk, evaporated i4 -oz. can Fruits and vegetables: Frozen: Strawberries 1 oz. Orange juice concentrate 6 oz. Peas, green 1 oz. Beans, green 1 oz. Fresh: Apples ib. Bananas ib. Oranges, size 2 doz. Lemons ib. Grapefruit * eaoh * Friced only in season. 1/ Hot available. TABIC 7l Consumer ftrice Average retail prices of selected foods U.S. city average Cents "5EX U W*.l J* 61* *5.7 1*7 1*2.9 1* U U *. U* August Cents "5EX tu U. 76. Ui U5.5 1*9.7 1*3 1* * H* *.1 (1/) lf Food and unit Fresh Continued Peaches» ib. Strawberries pt. Grapes, seedless * ib. Watermelons * ib. Potatoes 1 ib. Sweet potatoes ib. Onions. - ib. Carrots ib. Lettuce head Celery ib. Cabbage ib. dean8, green ib. Canned^ Orange juice 46-oz. can Peaches can Pineapple #2 can Fruit cocktail #33 can Corn, cream style #33 can Peas, green #33 can Tomatoes #33 can Baby foods 4& to 5 oz. Dried: Prunes ib. Beans ib. Other foods at home: Tomato SOUp loj- to u-oz. can Beans with pork 16 oz. can Pickles, sweet 74 oz. Catsup, tomato 14 oz. Coffee lb. o&n Coffee lb. bag Tea bags Pkg. of id Cola drink, carton 36 oz. Shortening, hydrogens ted 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 z. Eggs, Grade A, large doz. Gelatin, flavored 3 to 4 oz. Cents TKT H».li 8.1* U ll* * * * lt.5 61* Labor D.C. - BLS58-332

7 6-* TABLE Ax Consumer Price Revised indexes for special groups of commodities and services, December 1952 to date i/ ( =1) All Nondurable All All comodities Durable eoamodities All servioes Year and month commodities less food eoamodities less food services 2/ less rent 2/ 1952J December : Average March J^na < December : Average March June December : Average M a r c h June De cember : Average January February March April May June July August October November A December : Average January February March April May June July August / Total Shelter was formerly included in the index of All Services and Shelter, but individual items of Shelter were not included in any other commodity or service classification. The revised indexes shown above are the result of the distribution of the Shelter items to commodities or services, as indicated below, from March 1953 forward. es for dates prior to March 1953 were not affected by the revision. Durable commodities Water heaters Kitchen sinks Sink faucets Porch flooring Nondurable eoamodities House paint Paint brush Servicep Rent Home purchase Real estate taxes Mortgage interest Property insurance Repainting garage Repainting rooms Reshingling roof Refinishing floors 2/ Replaces All Services and Shelter. y Replaces All Services less Shelter. Labor D.C. - BLS58-118

8 BrlftffimlfimtrlOTof ttw Cfl The Consumer Price (CPI) measures the average s in prices of goods and services typically bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers * It is based on prices of about 3 items which were selected so that their price s would represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical families; they include all of the Important items in family spending* Prices for these items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United St*tefj they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and clerlcal~warker families patronise* 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 s 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 populations of cities they represent* numbers are computed on the base * The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the 2 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as from the following 26 medium-sized and small citiest Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, V Virginia Evansville, Indians Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand forks, H* Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, V. Virginia laconia, Mew Hampshire Lodi, California Iynchburg, Virginia MadiU, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Hewark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Bawlins, Vyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city d more or less than in another* The dty indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price levels or in living costs between cities* A description of the index is contained in ELS Bulletin 114, *The Consumer Price s A layman's Guide, 11 which mj be purchased for 2 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 rare technical, description of the index appears in BIS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS Statistical Series." Reprints of chapter 9, pertaining to the CPI, pure 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 2 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Sent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1947 to date* BLS Regional Offices ^J 1^1* Chicago San Francisco Boston 5 Seventh St*, HI 341 Minth Ave* 15 Vest Adams St* 63 Sansome St* 18 Oliver St* So** 23 Zone 1 Zone 3 Zone 11 Zone 1 IABGR - D. C.

9 OCCUPATIONAL WAGE SURVEYS (BLS Bulletins through 17) The U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the last of this year's occupational wage surveys for major labor markets. The studies cover 17 areas and were conducted during the winter -57. The individual bulletins provide earnings information on about 6 jobs selected from several categories: Office clerical, professional and technical, maintenance and powerplant, and custodial and material movement. In addition to areawide averages and distributions of workers by earnings classes for each job, information is provided wherever possible by major industry division, including manufacturing, public utilities, finance, trade, and services. Also presented for all areas except Memphis and Minneapolis-St. Paul are data for paid holidays; paid vacations; scheduled weekly hours; health, insurance, and pension plans; minimum entrance rates; and shift differential practices. The areas covered, survey date, bulletin number, and price are as follows: Atlanta Birmingham Boston Buffalo Chicago Cleveland Dallas Kansas City Los Angeles-Long Beach Memphis Minneapolis-St. Paul New York City Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland (Oreg.) San Francisco-Oakland Seattle Cents April January *2 25 April October October December March February March April November December April January August Send orders (accompanied by check or money order) to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C., or to any of the following U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics regional offices: Boston New York Atlanta Chicago San Francisco 18 Oliver Street 341 Ninth Avenue 5 Seventh Street, N. E. 15 West Adams Street 63 Sansome Street Labor D.C. - BLSb8-?9 UNITED STATES -DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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