In re Patterson-MacDonald Shipbuilding Co.

(after stating the facts as above).

The primary question is: Did the master have the right to receive the awards of the arbitrators? The contracting parties had a right, on entering into the contract, to provide a mode and method by which disputes arising in carrying forward the contract should be settled. However parties are not permitted on the ground of public policy to close access to the courts, but may, as a condition precedent to application to the courts, agree to a mode of settlement out of court, *280and .where such proceeding is provided then a party' must offer, it has-been held, to…