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Of course, several years earlier we had revised and revamped the whole method of collecting cost of living figures, and had greatly broadened the base of the inquiry as to the spending habits of the American public, particularly the working class public. As I think I've said before, I have my doubts as to whether that was a good thing to do. For a good many years I have said to myself, “I think I should have fought a little harder and prevailed.” I now think, as I look back on it, that my original idea was better than the idea which we eventually adopted, and which we're now launched on in this country, and now we can't turn back.

I still think we would have been wiser to return to the old English method of collecting cost of living figures, which is to price in the market certain—I think the British price six—basic commodities only. I think the British price wheat and corn, fuel, certain fibers such as cotton and wool. They're basic commodities, not finished goods. They don't price blankets, men's high-grade suits, women's middle-grade coats. They priced, at that time, just six commodities. I think during the war they enlarged their number and got it up to something like ten or twelve basic commodities. But at the time that we were discussing this,