PRICES: Drop

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Washington reported the first drop since June in the cost of living index: 0.6% from 189.1 to 187.9 (100 equals the 1935-39 average). The main causes: cheaper fruits, vegetables and eggs, clothing and house furnishings. The drop meant a pay cut of 1¢ an hour for 1,250,000 railwaymen and 40,000 aircraft workers whose wages are tied to the cost of living in union contracts (in this case using the old index, which fell 0.9% from 190.2 to 188.3).