Evening star., 1941-11-20
Cost Of liviinu
Continues Rise
In Capital
1.6 Pct. Gain Noted
Since September;
Clothing Is High
BY OLIVER MCKEE.

BY OLIVER MCKEE.
Continuing the advance of recent
months. District living costs in
creased 16 per cent between mid
September and mid October. Secre-
tary of Labor Perkins reported to-
day.
The District cost of living index
now stands at 1884. as compared
with the 1858 average of 100
Costs are still far below the peak of
the period Immediately following
the World War. In December 1918,
the District index reached 1l95, and
in June 1920 climbed to its high
point of l4l9. In June, 1888, it
dropped to 927.
The Districts rents advanced 03
per cent during the month, accord
ing TO the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Its monthly estimate of rent charges
are based on a canvass of a repre-
sentative group of approximately
400 dwelling units. a somewhat
smaller sample than that covered by
the quarterly surveys OF changes in
living costs.
Clothing Rises 3.5 Pet.
On the basis of this sample, the
bureau estimated that rents were
increased in 4 per cent of the dwell
lngs in the District occupied by
white tenants. The average amount
Of the increases reported during the
month was IL per cent. or approx
imately $3.50
On October Is. the District rent
index was 1912 of the l935-39 aver
age. In November. 1884, the index
was 977: in December, 1924. ll7.4.
and in December. 1918, at the close
Of the World War. was 846
Other items in the District cost OF
living index rose more sharply than
rents. Percentage increases during
the month were reported as follows:
Food. l.3; clothing. 3.5; houSetur-
niShings. As per cent. and mlscel-
laneous. l.9. The cost of fuel. cleo
tricity and ice advanced 0.6 per cent.
AS compared with the 1888
average. District indices now stand
as follows: Food. l19: clothing
ll7.7; fuel. 1917; houseturnishlngs.
1892. and miscellaneous, l06
Full Effect Not Yet Felt.
Living costs in 81 large cities. in
cluding Washington, increased on
the average OF IL per cent during
the month. advancing the index TO
1894 of the base period
Increases in the cost Of goods
and services were responsible for a
rise of SO per cent above the 1888
average. and defense excise taxes
levied in 1910 and 1941 for the addi-
tional O.5 per cent Secretary Per-
kins pointed out. The full effect of
the new defense taxes has not yet
been felt, because many Of the
goods now on retailers shelves were
purchased before the first of Octo-
ber. when the additional manufac-
turers' excise taxes were levied
For the cities as a group, the fol-
lowing average percentage increases
we're reported; Food, 00; clothing,
18; rent. OF; fuel, 03; housefur
nishings. 26. and miscellaneous, l9.
Women's Clothes Costlier.
In Savannah. where defense en-
ployment has increased rapidly this
fall. rents increased AZ per cent
during the month. Many other CEN
tiers of defense production also re-
ported substantial rent increases.
In addition to the District. Los
Angeles, Denver and Pittsburgh also
reported increases in clothing costs
of per cent or more Since Sep
tember. 1889, average prices of mems
clothing show the following per-
centage increases: TopcoatS l06;
wool suits. ISL: cotton work trousers.
2O8; cotton overalls, 286; cotton
work shirts, 281; street shoes, 143,
and work shoes, 1863
During the same period. percent
age increases in prices of Women's S
clothing include the following: Sport
coats, 100: percale dresses, 35.9, and
silk hose, 154
Since September Is. 1889. house
furnishings reveal the following per-
centages advances: Living room
suites, 300; bedroom suites, 226
washing machines, 1854; rugs, pol;
mattresses, 172, and sheets. 301.
The prices of electric refrigerators,
however, have dropped 79 per cent.
The introduction of the 1912
automobile models at higher prices,
and new defense taxes, were largely
responsible for the increase in the
cost of the miscellaneous group,
Secretary Perkins explained.