Page 2--Wednesday, November 23, 1977-The Michigan Daily U.S. consumers get respite from inflation WASHINGTON (AP) - The gov- ernment had good holiday news for 'Americans yesterday, reporting a moderate rise in inflation in October and the biggest monthly gain in workers' buying power since June. It said consumer prices increased. a moderate 0.3 per cent, the same for the fourth consecutive month. Workers benefitted from an in- crease of 1.1 per cent in the purchas- ing power of their paychecks in Octo- ber, raising their real earnings - take home pay adjusted for taxes and inflation - to a level 4.6 per cent above that of a year ago. PRICES HAVE increased at a 3.8 per cent' annual rate over the past three months, in sharp contrast with the 10 per cent rate at the beginning of the year. The cooling of inflation since mid- year is expected to boost consumer confidence in the economy and make it easier for the Carter administra- tion in its battle against unemploy- ment. "This is certainly a favorable sign for real growth in the economy be- cause consumers have more money to spend," said Courtenay Slater, the Commerce Department's chief econ- omist. SHE CAUTIONED, however, that price increases in future months "aren't going to be as modest as the past three months," nor will income gains be as large as in October. "But all the same," she said, "it is quite encouraging." The Labor Department said the moderate rise in consumer prices has been largely due to small increases in prices for food and other commodities. The big spring and summer de- clines in wholesale farm prices that helped moderate retail food prices ended last month, when wholesale prices jumped 2.4 per cent. Most economists expect grocery prices to start rising at a somewhat faster pace this winter. GROCERY PRICES in October rose only 0.1 per cent, after seasonal adjustment, the same rate as, in September. Prices edged down for sugar, coffee, eggs, pork and cereal and dairy products. Poultry and beef prices increased. Before seasonal adjustment, the Labor Department said grocery prices actually declined 0.1 per cent last month. Prices for commodities other than food rose 0.3 per cent in October, about the same as in the previous two months. Gasoline, clothing, and tobacco prices also were up sharply last month, while prices for used cars fell for the sixth consecutive month. * Coord For new Knowledc Desirabl inator N Thea ge of UN e. Super leeded * iter Group A Theater -vision of Producers For, MIME " DRAMA IMPROVISATIONS * CHILDREN'S THEATER ETC. 3-4 Small Shows, Intimate Settings. Job Description & Applications At UAC Office, 2nd Floor Union. Applications due 5 P.M., Nov. 28 - . -- y f t * ANNOUNCING * P ith Igan Mil 1 ROSE B0 T-SHIRT DESIGlI YOUR CHANCE TO ACHIEVE ARTISTIC IMMORTALITY! I I FIRST PRIZE DINNER FOR TWO AT ONE OF ANN ARBOR'S FINEST RESTAURANTS I DESIGN AN EMBLEM, CARTOON OR DRAWING INCORPORATING IN ITS THEME THE MICHIGAN FOOTBALL WOLVERINES AND THEIR UPCOMING ROSE BOWL APPEARANCE. * ELIGIBILITY-Anyone who supports the Blue-student, grad, staff, alumnus. * ARTWORK-Design should be no larger than 9"x9" and should be in black ink on white paper. It should be a simple layout, free of tiny details that do not easily transfer to fabric. " REQUIREMENTS-Include your name, address and phone number on the back and bring or mail to The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109. " ALL ENTRIES DUE BY NOON, WEDNESDAY, Dec. 7, 1977. * JUDGED by a panel of Michigan dignitaries THE WINNING DESIGN WILL BE PRINTED IN IRON-ON INK IN THE DECEMBER I1 SPECIAL-TO-THE-DAILY ROSE BOWL SUPPLEMENT!