Stable Prices

If business was moving gradually ahead, so were prices. The Consumer Price Index inched up again last month for the 21st time in 23 months, stood at 123.9% of the 1947-49 average. While rising costs of transportation, medical services and food brought the index to a record high, food prices are now declining, which will show up in the index next month. The drop in food prices is expected to offset any rises that may come from fall-clothing and postage increases, thus keep the cost of living relatively stable in the months to come. Said Ewan Clague, commissioner of labor statistics: "My guess is that these will just about balance each other out for the next few months—up to the end of the year."