MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION INDEX 99
the cities chosen as samples, with conditions throughout
the state.
Approximately 211 quotations for coal are used in making
up the index each month; the kerosene quotations are taken
from grocery questionnaires and the gas and electricity rates
are obtained from the Department of Public Utilities. Quo-
tations for each of these items are averaged and after the
current price of each is reduced to a relative of the 1913
average price, each is multiplied by its respective weight;
the sum of these products divided by the sum of the weights
gives the current index number.
Sundries
The changes in the costs of all goods and services entering
into this major item, with the exception of ice and organi-
zation dues are those given by the National Industrial Con-
ference Board. The commission obtains quotations from
individual ice dealers and from organizations to complete
its sundries figure. The number of these quotations is
not available. The reports of the commission include frag-
mentary comment on the different items, with no attempt
to discuss each of them each time. In 1920, for example,
and each succeeding year the ice problem was discussed at
length and changes in its cost sometimes have been specifi-
cally estimated;' carfares, moving picture theatre admis-
sions, prices of reading matter, household furniture and
furnishings have been noted in each report,? although with
few indications as to the estimated change in cost or how it
was ascertained. Medical care in 1920 included a report on
Physicians’ fees, drugs and medicines;? in 1921, 1922, and
1925 this item was not mentioned at all; in 1923 and 1924,
only drugs, medicines and “patent” medicines were noted.}
In 1920, the increases in the cost of insurance and tobacco,
! Repor Commission on the Necessaries of Life, 1920, op. cit., pp. 105-107;
ibid. 1921. o he hid. 1923, pp. 17-18, 85; ibid., 1923, pp. 12-13, 239; ibid.. 1924,
Pp. 16, 136; itid., 1925, p. $9. B
* I5id., 1920, pp. 107-108; ibid., 1921, pp. 70-72; ibid., 1922, pp. 85-86; ibid.,
1923, pp. 239-241; sbid., 1924, pp. 135-136; ibid., 1925, p. 59. Carfares are not
hoted in 1924 or motion picture admissions in 1925,
8 Ihid., 1920, p. 107.
4 15id., 1923, p. 240; ibid., 1924, p. 135.
