No. 439. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX-ALL ITEMS, 1920 TO 1959, AND COMMODITY Groups, 1959, BY SELECTED CITIES [1947-49-100. As of December except where noted. For detailed explanation, see text, p. 329, and headnote, table 437] 134 cities prior to January 1953. Indexes for food based on prices in 51 cities through 1942, 56 cities 1943 through 1952, and 46 cities beginning January 1953. Separate city indexes not compiled for 26 medium- and small-sized cities included in the national average. As of November. 3 As of October. Includes "food away from home" (restaurant meals and other food bought and eaten away from home). Includes "other shelter" (home purchase and other home owner costs). Comprises tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and miscellaneous services such as legal services, banking fees, and burial services. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Monthly Labor Review and records. No. 440. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX-RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF COMMODITY GROUPS AND SERVICES (PERCENT DISTRIBUTION): 1947 TO 1959 [Excludes Alaska and Hawaii. The relative importance of a component of the Consumer Price Index at any given time represents its expenditure weight multiplied by the relative price change from the weight date to a later period and the result expressed as a percentage of the total for all items. Changes in the relative importance of a component result from (a) major weight revisions based on comprehensive consumer expenditure surveys; (b) minor weight adjustments to take account of changes in the list of items priced; and (c) different rates of price change among the various items. In the absence of a weight revision, if prices of all items changed at the same rate, the relative importance of each item or group in the index would remain unchanged. For further explanation of the index, see text, p. 329] Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Monthly Labor Review, July 1959, and records. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Published in Department of Commerce, Business and Defense Services Administration, Construction Review. 2 Still under control. No. 442. AVERAGE COSTS OF SPECIFIED MEDICAL SERVICES, FOR SELECTED CITIES: 1958 [As of most recent month available in last quarter. Based on data collected primarily for calculation in Consumer Price Index; see text, p. 329. Cost differences among cities may be due to variation in quality of service priced] * Includes electroencephalogram, basal metabolism examination, transfusion service, and other specified tests. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. No. 443. INDEXES OF RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD, BY SUBGROUPS AND FOR SELECTED [1947-49=100, except as indicated. See text, p. 330. See also Historical Statistics, Colonial Times to 1957, series ITEM SUBGROUPS E 114-120] 1 Represents "food at home" through 1950; thereafter, includes "food away from home." 2 January 1953=100. Comprises eggs, beverages (nonalcoholic), fats and oils, sugar and sweets, and miscellaneous foods. Based on 51 cities for 1930 and 1940, 56 cities for 1945 and 1950 and 46 cities thereafter. City indexes not compiled for 26 medium- and small-sized cities included in the national average. Minneapolis-St. Paul after 1950. New York-Northeastern N.J. after 1950. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Consumer Prices in the United States, 1953-58, Monthly Labor Review, and records. No. 444. AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SELECTED FOODS: 1930 TO 1960 [In cents per pound except as indicated. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Data are averages of prices reported by retail dealers in cities included in the Retail Food Index. (See footnote 4, table 443.) Number of cities also varies slightly according to availability and prices for each item. Sales taxes not included after 1945. Prices for individual cities combined with use of population weights. See also Historial Statistics, Colonial Times to 1957, series E 161-176] 1 Not available. 210-month average. Effective November 1958, average price includes ready-to-eat ham. 31-lb. through 1959, 11⁄2 lb. thereafter. 4 No. 2 can through March 1950, No. 303 can thereafter. No. 2 can through September 1954, No. 303 can thereafter. 6 Prior to June 1955, published as navy beans. 7 Average not computed; prices not comparable throughout the year. Beginning 1957, vacuum pack only; not comparable with earlier years. 1-lb. can through August 1955, 3-lb. can thereafter. 1955 average based on 7 months. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Retail Food Prices by Cities. No. 445. INDEXES OF RETAIL PRICES OF FUELS AND ELECTRICITY, FOR LARGE CITIES COMBINED: 1935 to 1959 [1947-49-100. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Annual averages. See also Historial Statistics, Colonial Times to 1957, series E 177-185] Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Retail Prices and Indexes of Fuels and Electricity. YEAR AND MONTH No. 446. COAL-AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES AND INDEXES FOR LARGE CITIES COMBINED: 1941 To 1960 [Excludes Alaska and Hawail. Prices not directly comparable because of different methods of calculation and change in number of cities or dealers reporting prices over the period covered. Indexes are comparable. See also Historial Statistics, Colonial Times to 1957, series E 183-184, for indexes] Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Retail Prices and Indexes of Fuels and Electricity. No. 447. AVERAGE TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL BILLS FOR ELECTRICITY IN CITIES OF 2,500 INHABITANTS OR MORE COMBINED: 1940 To 1959 [As of January 1. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii. 100, 250, and 500 kilowatt-hour consumptions were chosen to represent the typical usage, respectively, of residential consumers who use electricity for lighting and the operation of small appliances only; for lighting, small appliances, and refrigeration; and for lighting, small appliances, refrigeration, and cooking] Source: Federal Power Commission; annual report, Typical Electric Bills. 540262°-60—23 |