In 1915 the national championship was relocated from Newport, Rhode Island to the West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills, New York. Already in 1911 an effort was made by a group of tennis players, headed by Karl H. Behr from New York, to relocate the tournament to New York but by a vote of 95 to 60 it was decided to remain in Newport.[7] In early 1915 the issue resurfaced when a group of about 100 tennis players signed a petition in favor of the move, arguing that most tennis clubs, players and fans were located in the New York area and that it would therefore be beneficial for the development of the sport to host the national championship there.[8] This view was opposed by another group of players which included eight former national singles champions.[9][10] The contentious issue was brought to a vote at the annual United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA) meeting on February 5, 1915 and with 128 votes in favor and 119 against it was decided to relocate to Forest Hills.[11][12][13]